Lincoln Co. Shooting Complex gets a helping hand from LOR

The Lincoln County Shooting Complex, dating back to 1946, is a rich part of Libby’s history and attracts people from the community and beyond looking to sharpen their marksmanship skills as well as compete in various competitions.

However, in the winter, there is reduced access to the complex due to lack of cover over most of the shooting benches.

Some people avoid the range, which has an adverse impact on local hunters and also the local economy, as in the warmer months people will travel to Libby specifically to use the range.

With this problem in mind, Dan Ackerman reached out to LOR, and with the foundation’s help they were able to purchase two metal awnings that will be placed over the uncovered benches, allowing more people to use the complex.

LOR's grant is for $15,495 and when the awnings are built it will provide covered shooting positions for rifle shooting.

"Tabitha and LOR have been a real blessing for this community," Ackerman said. "They've been great to work and when she says it's going to get done, it gets done."

Tabitha Viergutz is the Libby Community Officer for the LOR Foundation. She confirmed that LOR, including all sponsorships and grants, has awarded more than $530,000 into the Libby Community while funding more than 80 projects and/or community events.

The complex's hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday from April 1 to Oct. 31.

From Nov. 1 to March 31, the hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

The complex features shooting areas for rifle, pistol, archery and shotguns.

There are six shooting bays, including one at 300-plus yards, two at 100 yards, two at 50 yards and one pistol bay.

Archery has eight stationary targets with a covered shooting area.

The electronic gate will remain closed unless a range officer is present or scheduled shooting hours for shotgun normal operating hours.

Gate codes and memberships available Wednesdays and Saturdays during the normal shotgun shooting hours.

The hours for the Libby Scatterguns are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday from April 1 to Oct. 31.

From Nov. 1 to March 31, it is noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.

The Libby Scatterguns have four trap fields, two skeet fields and one 5-stand course.

They hold a nine-week Winter Trap and Skeet League each year starting in January.

They are also home to the SCTP Rock Crushers, a youth program for all disciplines to the clay target sports.

The Libby Rock Crushers are a group of young athletes, both boys and girls ranging in ages 10 to 18, participating in the Scholastic Clay Target Program.

The yearlong program is designed to introduce, develop and advance young athletes to safely and enjoyably participate in high quality, team based programs in the clay target shooting sports. These include trap, skeet and sporting clays. The goal is to do this in a supportive environment and are focused on the safe handling and use of firearms.

For more information, contact Libby Rod and Gun Club President Mike Cirian at 406-607-9355 or mcirian@msn.com.