Governor takes first shots at Cacapon trap shooting range
Governor Joe Manchin wasted little time christening the new wobble trap shooting range on Mountain Road in Cacapon State Park. Manchin loaded a shotgun provided by the park for the occasion with a 12 gauge shell, took aim, yelled "Pull!" and as the clay target was swiftly flying Frisbee-like through the air, managed to blast it to smithereens with his first shot.
"This is something I enjoy!" Manchin said.
A few minutes earlier at the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for the range held Monday, September 10 at 2 p.m., West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Director Frank Jezioro said,
"We are always looking for ways to make the parks more attractive to a larger number of people, and the more activities we can offer, the more likely people are to visit."
"It is a tremendous amenity for the park," Manchin said.
The dedication was attended by many members of the state legislature, who are holding their interim meeting in Martinsburg this week. Also in attendance were Division of Natural Resources officials, Cacapon State Park officials, Morgan County Commissioners, West Virginia State Police officers, Cacapon State Park Foundation members and the state park's engineering team that constructed the range.
Opening soon
Assistant Park Superintendent Brad Reed said the wobble trap range will officially be opened to the public on Saturday, September 29. Reed said that reservations are necessary and can be made by calling or visiting the front desk at the lodge.
Only 12 gauge or smaller shotguns are allowed. All firing will be supervised by park rangers.
Each shooter will take five shots at each of the five stations. Up to five shooters can participate at one time. Each shooter is required to sign a waiver before participating.
Noise not a factor, so far
Park Superintendent Tom Ambrose said that extensive sound level tests were conducted before the range was constructed. Ambrose said the tests were conducted all over the park and in the Cacapon South community across U.S. 522 from the park.
"The sound was not detectible by our meter at Cacapon South," Ambrose said. A Cacapon South resident who lives on Dawson Farm Lane was outside at the time that Manchin and other dignitaries were firing and said she heard no sound from the range.
Noise from the shooting range is somewhat buffeted by the leaves now on the trees and by traffic moving along U.S. 522.
Manchin and football
Governor Manchin attended the West Virginia University vs. Marshall University football game Saturday. Manchin, himself a graduate of WVU, was asked how he felt at half time when Marshall led WVU by a score of 13- 6.
"I was about to go into damage control," Manchin said.
