The Mahaska County Board has allowed a shooting range in Black Oak Township to fill out an application to be in business.  As of now, the County has no zoning regulations for a shooting range.  Mahaska County Board Chairman Mark Groenendyk says the owners of Black Oak Clays will have 60 days to fill out the application.

“It’s the same thing what any office would request the information for: the hours of operation, the use, the intended use of it, how far away the shot or the ammunition that’s being used would travel.  Just the basic information in a regular permit that would normally be filled out to be considered.”

Many people who use the shooting range spoke to the County Board, saying the clay shooting program is good for their children to take part in.  People who live near Black Oak Clays, like Mark Doschadis, say there are downsides to the shooting range.

“It’s…basically what I’ve stated is an intrusion into the quality of our life and the privacy and enjoyment of our own place.  When you can hear shots inside your shower in the house and 20,000 of them a day, it’s quite a different than going out there, having fun and shooting and driving home.”

Groenendyk says once the application is completed, the County Board will go over it and the public will want to have its say.