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Owens Station dedicated as state-owned facility

Public shooting sports range a boost for economy
Local officials and Owens Station staff stand in front of the new sign which was revealed at the event and will be posted at the entrance to the range. Shown are (l-r) Rep. Bobby Outten, R-Harrington; DNREC Director of Community Services Patrick Emory; Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown; former Rep. Bobby Walls; DNREC Director of Fish and Wildlife David Saveikis; Rep. David Wilson, R-Bridgeville; Gov. Jack Markell; First Lady Carla Markell; DNREC Secretary David Small; Chuck Morton of Owens Station Sporting Clays, and Rep. Daniel Short, R-Seaford. BY STEVEN BILLUPS
Steven Billups
October 19, 2014
The dedication ceremony also included Gov. Jack Markell signing a Statement in Support of National Hunting and Fishing Day. National Hunting and Fishing Day is held the last Saturday of September. The statement Markell signed stated that in Delaware, Sept. 27 through Oct 3 will be observed as Hunting and Fishing Week in Delaware. Shown with Markell, left, is DNREC Secretary David Small. BY STEVEN BILLUPS
Former Rep. Bobby Walls was recognized by all of the officials as the one person who pushed for the state to take over Owens Station. He also shared credit for the acquisition to Sen. Robert Venables and former Rep. George Carey. BY STEVEN BILLUPS
Taking a tour around Owens Station's 100-acre range, driven by Chuck Morton of Owens Station Sporting Clays, are DNREC Director of Fish and Wildlife David Saveikis, left, and Gov. Jack Markell. First Lady Carla Markell is in the front seat. BY STEVEN BILLUPS
Under the guidance of Chuck Morton of Owens Station Sporting Clays, First Lady Carla Markell tries her hand at shooting at the sporting clays. She hit 75 percent of the clays. BY STEVEN BILLUPS
First Lady Carla Markell gets an expert lesson from Delaware Ladies Sporting Clays State Champion Dee Orr. BY STEVEN BILLUPS
Also on the property is Turtle Creek Labs, a training and kennel facility. BY STEVEN BILLUPS
This 100 acre open space will be preserved. BY STEVEN BILLUPS

Gov. Jack Markell joined Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary David Small, Division of Fish and Wildlife Director David Saveikis, Rep. David Wilson, and DNREC conservation partners and shooting sports enthusiasts Sept. 28 to dedicate a formerly privately-owned shooting sports range and conservation education center near Greenwood as the Owens Station Shooting Sports & Hunter Education Center, downstate Delaware’s first and only state-owned public shooting sports range.

Developed over a period of about 30 years by former owner Bill Wolter, the 104-acre property was purchased by the state late last year and is operated under a public-private partnership between the Division of Fish and Wildlife and two commercial businesses, Owens Station Sporting Clays, which operates the range, and Turtle Creek Retrievers, which offers professional sporting dog training and kennel services. The division’s Sussex County hunter education courses also are held at the facility.

“Building on Delaware’s great outdoor traditions, Owens Station is an investment in the future of hunting, shooting sports and sporting dogs,” said Small. “Here, the state can provide hunter and conservation education for generations to come who will continue these traditions, while offering a great downstate location for Delawareans and visitors to practice shooting sports and acquire professional sporting dog training.”

“The state’s opening of Owens Station is a win-win for Delaware,” said Markell. “Not only does the center enrich the great outdoor sporting traditions and destinations of the First State by giving downstate residents easy access to sporting services and ranges, it is also a good investment in our downstate economy, supporting the two businesses onsite, and drawing residents and visitors to the area to support area retail stores, hotels, restaurants and other businesses and related jobs.”

“By applying a public-private business model with the two businesses based here, this investment avoids financial strain on our agency,” added Saveikis. “That allows us to maintain and operate this facility as a self-sustaining business, so that we can direct our existing funding to our other conservation and education programs.”

“Preserving the rich shooting sports and hunting heritage of our state is important for future generations, and Owens Station is a tremendous addition to this area of Sussex County and the state. This picturesque location will encourage all ages to engage in multiple activities, from hunting safety to the enjoyment of recreational shooting activities,” said Wilson. “I am proud of this acquisition by the State of Delaware and to have served on the Bond Bill Committee that helped make this purchase possible.”

Owens Station Shooting Sports & Hunter Education Center features a circular 60-station sporting clays course, a trap shooting range and five-stand warmup range. For more information on Owens Station, go to Owens Station Sporting Clays or call 302-349-4334; for more information on professional dog training services at Owens Station, go to Turtle Creek Retrievers or call 302-841-0239.

Owens Station joins Ommelanden Hunter Education Training Center and Public Shooting Range in New Castle as the second public shooting sports range administered by DNREC's Division of Fish and Wildlife. For more information on the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Hunter Education programs, go to www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/huntered/pages/huntered.aspx or call 302-735-3600.

 

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