Flintlock Range Association breaks ground on new shooting & archery range in Cook County

On Oct. 16, the Flintlock Range Association broke ground on a new shooting and archery range in Cook County, marking the culmination of a 20-year effort.

“We’re quite happy with the work that’s already been started,” said Justin Rexrode, the president of the Flintlock Range Association. “It’s kind of a huge deal for Cook County to see this happen.”

Earlier this year, in January, the Cook County Board of Commissioners approved a conditional use permit for the Flintlock Range Association to develop a shooting range on a leased county-owned 360-acre parcel up the Gunflint Trail. The shooting range is located on FS Road 304.

Throughout the winter and spring months, the Flintlock Range Association worked to secure necessary permits, insurance, funding, and more volunteers.

Since breaking ground in mid-October, the Flintlock Range Association has cleared an area for the road and parking lot on the property. Rexrode said work would continue on-site, depending on winter’s arrival.  

“We’re trying to go as long as we can through the fall,” Rexrode said. “We’ll see if Mother Nature allows us to.”

When complete, Rexrode said the property will include several pistol and rifle ranges, walking archery trails, and a trap and skeet field.

Rexrode said that one of the intents of adding a trap and skeet field is to develop a High School Trap League. “Trap shooting in Minnesota is the fastest growing high school sport still,” Rexrode said. “So we’re hoping to see a team develop out of Cook County High School, and hopefully they’re shooting here.”

In addition, the new range will provide a training facility for local law enforcement officials and an established location to host youth and volunteer firearm safety certifications.

“We’ve had a lot of collaboration with the Sheriff’s Office,” Rexrode said. “So they’re pretty excited as well to be able to come here and qualify.” Local law enforcement, including U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officials, currently conduct required training in gravel pits or at the shooting range in Silver Bay.

Rexrode said since receiving approval from the Board of Commissioners, the support from the Cook County community has been overwhelming. “We’ve had a lot of local support. Whether it be through donations or contractors,” he said. “The support has been unrivaled.”

As long as fall conditions hold, work will continue on-site. Then, the Flintlock Range Association will close off the property and wait to return in the spring.

Come spring, Rexrode said work would consist of constructing the pistol and rifle ranges, pouring concrete slabs, constructing shooting benches, and building two covered shooting structures, among a handful of other construction tasks.

WTIP visited and toured the site of the new shooting and archery range. A short video of the property with Justin Rexrode, the president of the Flintlock Range Association, is below. A more extended audio feature is also below.

Kalli Hawkins November 11, 2024