I've just traded e-mails with Jay Hunt, who runs the Honey Island shooting range outside Slidell. (Technically, he runs SELFS, the non-profit which leases the range from the Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries.) He says he likes the idea of an Appleseed at Honey Island.
Below are the e-mails. I'm posting them here so others can see his positive reaction. If you have other suggestions for what I might do to move this along, post them here or PM me. My motivation is highly selfish, of course -- I live 45 minutes from the range! Okay, it's not entirely selfish. Truth is, there are a few New Orleanians I'd like to bring to a shoot.
There is also a thread going on this question at Bayoushooter.com:
http://www.bayoushooter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41231 (http://www.bayoushooter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41231)
Skylar
-----Forwarded Message-----
From: jdhunt3@honeyisland.org
Subject: RE: thought from a regular
Date: September 17, 2010
To: Skylar Fein
Thanks for your nice e-mail. I think this is a great idea and I have forwarded the information to the Board of Directors.
Jay
http://honeyisland.org (http://honeyisland.org)
-----Original Message-----
From: Skylar Fein
Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2010
To: jdhunt3@honeyisland.org
Subject: thought from a regular
I live in New Orleans and Honey Island is my home range. I'm so happy about that. It is one of the best ranges I've ever been to -- well run, safe, friendly.
Now I have a suggestion. Let's have an Appleseed!
I attended the Appleseed shoot last weekend at the Sherburne Range. It was one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences I've had in
years. I thought I knew how to shoot a rifle. Boy was I surprised how much I had to learn. Their instructors are demanding and encouraging.
Their focus on safety is beyond anything I have ever witnessed. They mix top-notch riflery instruction with American history, telling
stories during your breaks about individual riflemen whose actions turned the tide of the Revolutionary War.
They leave politics out of it. Not a word is spoken about any current political issue or controversy.
I believe that Appleseed's state coordinator may have already contacted you about the possibility of doing a weekend at Honey
Island. I just want to put my two cents in: I hope we can make it happen. This is a remarkable group (all volunteers) offering
instruction that is unlike anything else I have experienced. Many thanks for your great work at Honey Island.
Skylar
Please send him my contact info, as I have not received a reply from him. PM me if you don't have my info.
Thanks,
Stephen
Any update? An Appleseed at Honey Island would be great. I bet there would be a lot of interest.
When is there going to be another event in south Louisiana?
We are working on bringing a Shoot to SELA. No details yet, but keep the faith.
We have been told that Honey Island will not host a Shoot. They don't want to shut down either side of the range. If you have leads on other ranges though, please send them along.