The James O. Thomason Shooting Range in Spartanburg County near Pauline recently dedicated a new pistol shooting range.
The new pistol range offers nine shooting lanes for the public to use, three of which are barrier free. Several other upgrades were completed during the time the range was shut down for the construction of the pistol range. These upgrades include new shooting benches, barrier-free access, improved parking area, sidewalks and concrete flooring in the rifle sheds.
"Shooting ranges are one of the priorities of our Hunter Education program," said Alvin A. Taylor, director of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR). "Shooting ranges such as this new pistol range in Spartanburg County offer shooting opportunities across the state, and allow people to be introduced to firearms in a safe manner."
Funding for the pistol shooting range came in part from the Pittman–Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, which provides funding to states from an excise tax on firearms and ammunition.
The James O. Thomason Firing Range is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Specific directions to the firing range can be found on Page 47 of the 2013-2014 "South Carolina Hunting & Fishing: The Official State Regulation Guide" booklet, available free of charge at all hunting and fishing license outlets, or by visiting the DNR website. The rifle portion of the Thomason Range originally opened in 2004.
James O. Thomason Sr., a prominent Spartanburg attorney who died in 2004, was chairman of the Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund Board of Directors from 1998–2004. He was a member of the S.C. Wildlife and Marine Resources Commission (precursor to the current S.C. Natural Resources Board) from 1984–1990, representing the Fourth Congressional District.
The Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund is a private, non-profit corporation that partners with the DNR for the promotion of education, research, management and the administration of game and fish laws. The grants that are given by the Harry Hampton Fund benefit conservation of wildlife, marine and other natural resources in South Carolina.