CMP Looks To Build Western Region Range In Utah

The Civilian Marksmanship Program is looking to build a massive shooting range in Payson, Utah. Public records about the plan were posted on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) website, revealing the first firm details about the proposed facility. At almost 600 acres, it would be a major national-level range.

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The CMP currently hosts the National Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio, and operates a large range facility in Talladega, Alabama. Shooters west of the Mississippi have few opportunities to compete in major matches without traveling back east. However, providing a range that can handle major competitions would require a large facility set up specifically for that purpose.

Plans posted on the BLM website show the first look at such a facility. Entitled “CMP - West Payson, Utah” it shows a site plan on 537 acres of land currently belonging to BLM. The proposed facility would provide a home for many types of shooting sports. This plan depicts shotgun fields, traditional 50- and 100-yard shooting ranges, 20 bays for action shooting, a 40-point, 1,000-yard range suitable for all sorts of rifle competition, and a full mile-long range for long-range shooters. There is even a section for archery use.

In addition to the ranges, there would be other site features. According to the project description on the BLM site, “The facility would have a club house for meetings, classrooms for education and training, and a pro-shop for CMP to promote the sale of the M1 Garands, which help to fund the corporation and a restaurant.” At this time, this is only a proposed plan. Nothing is definite yet. Anyone who would like to comment on this proposed facility has until June 21st to submit their thoughts to BLM.