A shotgun will soon become a common sound at Cacapon State Park in Morgan County. A sporting clays range is the newest amenity to this eastern panhandle resort.
DNR Director Frank Jezioro was largely responsible for the design of the five-stand Wobble range. The range features five firing points that offer clay targets thrown at different angles and different approaches.
Jezioro said the range was borne out of a challenge by the governor to offer a wider variety of activities to guests.
"Not everybody plays golf," said Jezioro. "The recreational shooting sports are very big and one of the fastest growing shooting sports is sporting clays and the different variety of sporting clays."
Jezioro believes the proximity of the resort to the east coast and numerous shooting clubs will make it more attractive to the conference market.
"We have a lot of corporate groups that come over looking for conferences. When they look at a place like that, they’re looking for something for their attendees to do," he said.
With the addition of the sporting clays range, Cacapon can now offer guests horseback riding, shooting, hiking, fishing, and golf.
The range was dedicated earlier this month, but will open to the public this weekend. The cost of a round will be $17 and will include 25 shells, rental of a shotgun, eye and ear protection, and a vest. Jezioro believes it’s the perfect opportunity to introduce someone to shooting who’s never even held a gun.
"I’ve never seen anybody go through this and not like it," he said.
Jezioro believes the range will be a hit with locals, given the strong heritage of any kind of shooting in the state of West Virginia. The success off the Cacapon sporting clays range will determine if it is an amenity that will be added at other West Virginia State Park resorts.