SHOOTING RANGES

Outdoor and indoor opportunities available in area for firearms enthusiasts

Outdoor Indoor

Wateree Rifle and Pistol Range

Access: Public

About: Operated by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Wateree Rifle and Pistol Range just two miles across the Sumter County line and over the Wateree River Bridge is a manned range with an officer on duty at all times. It consists of 14 rifle stations with targets up to 100 yards and 12 pistol stations up to 25 yards away. It is part of a larger facility that includes a shotgun sports facility next door.

Location:14069 Garners Ferry Road (U.S. 378) Eastover, SC 29044

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Web: www.dnr.sc.gov/shooting/ ranges/wateree.html

Phone: (803) 240-7368

Hermitage Farm Shooting Sports

Access: Public

About: Nestled just south of Camden and near the Interstate 20 interchange in Kershaw County, Hermitage Farm Shooting

Sports is a sporting clays course on a 1,500-acre tract. Similar to skeet shooting, the sport of shooting “clay pigeons” first developed in England and was introduced in the U.S. in 1980.

Location: 2362 Tickle Hill Road, Camden, SC 29020

Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5:30 p.m.

Web: www.hfsporting.com

Phone: (803) 432-0210

Ricochet Range

Access: Private (membership packages available)

About: Ricochet opened in 2020 and features a 10-lane training bay range, a state-of-the-art target retrieval system, a “smokeless range” simulator, classrooms and a retail area. Several classes are also offered.

Location: 1410 U.S. 15 South

Hours: Winter, Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; rest of the year, Wednesday-Monday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Web: www.ricochetrange.com

Phone: (803) 938-5713

Take a walk down memory lane and learn about local military men and women at the Sumter Military Museum.

Located at the James Clyburn Intermodal Transportation Center, 129 S. Harvin St., a display of memorabilia honors all veterans who served their country, regardless of birthplace. All items have been donated by past and present military members and their families – from uniforms and photographs to medals, cannisters and dog tags.

The Sumter Military Museum was brought to life by local historian Sammy Way and his wife, Rita, and supported by the Sumter community and the Santee Wateree Regional Transportation Authority.

Way is a walking encyclopedia of Sumter’s history, not only as a historian but as a Hall of Fame high school track coach. He welcomes all to visit the museum to witness the collection on display and learn about Sumter’s past and present war heroes.

The Sumter Military Museum is open Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon and Sundays 2-4 p.m. Families and groups can request a tour in advance by calling (803) 469-7827. This number can also be called for more information.