SUAMICO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Deer Hunt 2022 is officially about two weeks away, and hunters are getting ready at places like the Brown County Rifle Range in Suamico.
A media open house stressed safety and also included some friendly competition.
For hunter Bob Zoeller, his very first trip to the Brown County Rifle Range was busy.
“I got to get the rifles ready for deer season. I’m sighting mine in, sighting my grandson’s in and sighting my son’s in and a spare.”
He says it took a couple of shots and some minor adjustments to see some improvements.
“The first rifle, I changed the scope on and started out fresh. The one that he’s got, I changed the scope on and bore-sighted it. Now, we’re testing it, and I got two more that we’re just double-checking them.”
A few lanes away, Brown County leaders were dialing in too. Parks Director Matt Kriese says Wednesday morning’s open house may have sparked some friendly competition.
“To be determined. I’m not sure if everybody wants to go up against each other, but it could be interesting. If people want to take a look at their targets afterwards and who had the better marksmanship skills.”
“I’m going to do my best. How’s it going to go? I’ve been pretty good. I hope to retain that. But the gun hasn’t been shot since last year, so we’ll see how the sights are,” said Troy Streckenbach, Brown County Executive.
Steckenbach says park rangers help the sighting in process. Kriese says it’s the safe and ethical thing to do.
“Being familiar with your equipment, being comfortable with your equipment and handling that safely, really starts at the range. And our staff are here to make sure that you’re doing that safely and effectively.”
Zoeller agrees.
“If you guys get out there and you go hunting, do it safely. Sight the rifles in. I can’t express that enough. Sight the rifles in and keep it safe. That’s all I got to say.”
The Brown County Rifle Range is open daily through Nov. 17.
On Nov. 11, which is Veterans Day, veterans will be able to shoot for free.
