If you live in Hot Springs and you want to practice at a shooting range, the closest one is in Plains about 24 miles away. For those in Hot Springs seeking a local shooting range, there is a project underway to build one.

The site is located on Little Bitterroot Rd. with the range currently under construction. The man responsible for getting the shooting range completed is Bill Rosler. He works in the town of Hot Springs as the zoning compliance officer.

So far Rosler has received a grant for $50,000 from the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The project has also been approved for a $30,000 grant from the NRA. The NRA grant isn’t finalized because they are waiting for approval from the national office. Because more money is needed, Rosler will be working to gain more funding for the project as the opportunity to be considered for other grants becomes available.

Currently Bill Rosler, his son Will and two other volunteers are working on the construction of rifle, shotgun and pistol ranges as well as building multiple shooting stations.

After the ranges are completed, the next items to be completed include two more shooting stations, a 400-yard rifle range, a trap machine, and a clubhouse.

According to Rosler, the immediate benefit of a local shooting range will give Hot Springs Police Department a local range to improve their shooting skills. It will also give local members of 4-H who enjoy shooting to have a place to build their skills that aren’t far away from where they live.

In the long term once the range is completed, Rosler is hoping to get a certification from the Amateur Trapshooting Association. If it is certified, the range would be able to host ATA-sponsored shooting competitions like the ones hosted by the  Trap Club in Plains. These sanctioned matches would also attract outside competitors to drive in and experience what the town has to offer.

“It will enhance the town and help bring in tourism,” said Rosler.

The immediate goal is to get the rifle, shotgun and pistol range completed along the shooting stations by the beginning of June. Construction has already begun in the spring but the unusually wet spring season has caused delays.