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Grand Island will become the new shooting center for the Cornhusker State Games

Grand Island will become the new shooting center for the Cornhusker State Games

The Cornhusker State Games are coming to Grand Island, a move that will help cement the community’s reputation as the epicenter of shooting sports.

Shotgun, rifle and handgun shooting ranges can all be found in one location and now the Nebraska Sports Council and Grand Island Tourism have reached an agreement to move Cornhusker State Games Shooting Sports to Heartland Shooting Park in Grand Island, Nebraska beginning in 2025.

Grand Island hosts the 4-H National Shooting Championships

The venue has hosted the national 4-H shooting competition and now competes in the Cornhusker State Games with 750 shooters and thousands of spectators.

“The Heartland Public Shooting Park is simply the best location in Nebraska,” said Dave Mlnarik, president of the Nebraska Sports Council.

HORNADY TAKES THE REINS AT HEARTLAND PUBLIC SHOOTING PARK

The city owns the park and recently contracted with one of the top names in shooting sports, hometown Hornady, to manage the park.

Tourism Director Brad Mellema praised Mayor Roger Steele and the City Council for the decision to work with Hornady.

“The professionalism and expertise they bring to the table has made a difference in so many things,” he said.

HOWARD COUNTY SHERIFF APPOINTED AS MANAGER OF HEARTLAND PUBLIC SHOOTING PARK

Hornady named former Howard County Sheriff Tom Busch as manager of the shooting range.

Jason Hornady said, “This is one of the best shooting complexes in the country and we are only making it better. “We have only seen improvements since January.”

As Hornady celebrates its 75th anniversary, the Cornhusker State Games celebrates its 40th anniversary and the two have been longtime partners.

Mlnarik said he saw what Grand Island had built and decided to pull the trigger on shifting shooting sports after seeing the national 4-H shooting up close.

He said: “It’s a fantastic atmosphere, that’s what we want for our shooters. It’s not that they had a bad experience, but there are five different venues so they would never see each other, so there just isn’t the festival atmosphere that they would see here.”

Mlnarik said that shooting sports are on par with athletics in terms of the number of competitors. Lincoln remains home, but the Cornhusker State Games have already expanded to communities like Fremont and Columbus.

Given Grand Island’s track record, it was a no-brainer to help them grow the shooting sports.

“Everyone loves an atmosphere where there’s a lot of energy and excitement in what you’re doing,” Mlnarik said.

Jason Hornady said it’s a three-year deal, but he would bet his job lasts much longer.

The following shooting sports are held at Heartland Shooting Park:

  • .22 rifle lying down
  • .22 Silhouette
  • Trap & Skeet for adults
  • High power rifle
  • gun
  • Sounding pistol
  • Rim Fire Challenge
  • Sporty tone
  • Youth trap

Archery events will also be held at Third City Archers on Grand Island.