Polk City, Iowa - The Olofson Shooting Range, at Big Creek State Park, has scheduled more than 70 outdoor skills programs open to the public in 2019, including hunter education, hand gun basics, taxidermy, Dutch oven cooking, how to use a trail camera and more. Programs begin on Jan. 16 with a course on cleaning and storing guns.

Programs are held in the evening and registration is required. Classes are listed online at https://register-ed.com/programs/iowa under different category headings, like Iowa Hunter Education Classroom Course, Iowa Advances Skills and Opportunities, Hunter Education Camps, and more. Click on the category to see the class listing, dates and availability. Most of the classes at Olofson are under the Iowa Advanced Skills and Opportunities category. Be sure to double check the class location before registering. The site will be updated as additional classes, workshops, mentored hunts and other opportunities are confirmed.

Facilities at the Olofson Shooting Range underwent a nearly 18 month and $1 million total rebuild, resulting in a facility that has incorporated modern range safety design with a classroom capable of hosting diverse outdoor skills programs. The rebuild was completed in September 2017.

The Olofson Shooting Range is just off Hwy. 415, at 11652 NW Nissen Dr. northwest of Polk City. It’s open Wednesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Call the range at 515-795-4000.

Media Contact: Ajay Winter, Manager, Olofson Shooting Range, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 515-669-7201.