CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The Missouri Department of Conservation will be temporarily closing the Apple Creek Shooting Rifle and Pistol range beginning July 7. If the repairs are not delayed by inclement weather, the range will reopen Aug. 22.

The Apple Creek Shooting Range is the most highly used range in Southeast Missouri and with more use, comes more wear and tear. The excessive amount of rainfall has accelerated the erosion on the backstops making the schedule repair necessary and earlier than previously expected.

"To perform repairs of the backstops, we have to completely shut down the rifle and pistol range. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and we will be able to re-open the range ahead of schedule," says Dee Dee Dockins, Outdoor Skills Specialist for the Missouri Department of Conservation.

The rifle and pistol portion of the Apple Creek Shooting Range is the only area affected by the closure. The shotgun and archery facilities will remain open during the repair and renovation.

Rifle and pistol shooters are encouraged to utilize the Castor River Shooting Range, located off County Road 708, 15 miles west of Marble Hill. The rifle and pistol range offers 25, 50, and 100 yardages for shooters. Castor River Shooting range is open Monday through Sunday, closed Tuesdays.

For more information about the closure, contact the Southeast Regional Missouri Department of Conservation office at 573-290-5730.