Feb. 16, 2016

Contact:  Tom Jones (Michigan Operation Freedom Outdoors), 734-612-6677

Spring turkey celebration at Sharonville State Game Area shooting range Feb. 27

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan Operation Freedom Outdoors invite the public to the Sharonville State Game Area shooting range in Jackson County for an early spring turkey celebration Saturday, Feb. 27. This free event is open to all ages and will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

The day will begin at the newly renovated Sharonville Shooting Range, located at14520 Sharon Valley Road in Grass Lake, Michigan. Participants will have the opportunity to shoot clays and pattern their shotguns. 

The event also will include turkey-calling demonstrations, hands-on turkey artifacts, tracked wheelchair demonstrations, information about Michigan Operation Freedom Outdoors, food and other fun.

Participants are invited to stick around after the event for a small-game hunt on the Sharonville State Game Area, an opportunity to use their base licenses for hunting squirrels and rabbits while scoping out a spring turkey hunting spot. 

Michigan Operation Freedom Outdoors is a cooperative partnership between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Eisenhower Center, Zero-Day, Camp Liberty, the Passing Along the Heritage Foundation, the Brain Injury Association of Michigan, the Safari Club International Foundation, the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, the Disabled American Veterans and others. Its mission is to provide improved outdoor recreation opportunities for wounded veterans and individuals with health challenges and to coordinate a support network that facilitates their recovery through connecting with nature.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.