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December 1, 2010

Archery range opens to public Dec. 6 at Florence County park

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources recently completed an archery range at the Lynches River County Park in Florence County.

Advanced archers will have the opportunity to shoot targets at various distances from 20 to 50 yards on the flat range with a beginner (or youth range) available as well. Bows with a draw weight of 30 pounds or less are required on the beginner range. Bowhunters and other archers also will have a 15 foot elevated platform where they can practice shooting. The new tower provides a safe platform for archers to shoot at targets at varying distances in a realistic wooded hunting setting. The targets range from 10 to 40 yards in the wooded area beside the archery tower. A complete list of rules and regulations are posted at the range. With safety being a priority for all users, archers should be aware that broadhead points are not allowed on any portion of the range and a fall restraint harness is required when using the tower.

"We're hopeful the range will get a lot of use with the growing popularity of archery and more youth taking up the sport through the National Archery in the Schools Program," said Lt. Billy Downer, S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement and Hunter Education Coordinator.  This public archery range was made possible through a partnership with the Florence County Council and the Florence County Park and Recreation Department.  Further funding was provided by the US Fish & Wildlife Service through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson Act).

The unmanned range is located in Florence County at the Lynches River County Park at 1110 Ben Gause Road, Coward, SC.  You will find the range adjacent to the campground area in the park. The range is open daily from 9 a.m. to sunset and is free of charge. No license or permit is required, although participants under 16 years old should be accompanied by an adult 21 or over.

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