Archery Range in Gautier

Shepard State Park in Gautier celebrated the grand opening of their brand new archery range.
Several Jackson County officials and community members joined Mayor Gordon Gollott in cutting the ribbon to the new 28 lane archery range, named for the late Noel Hughes. Hughes was an employee of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in Jackson. He was responsible for the operations of parks. Shepard State Park was on the list to be closed by the state due to budget cuts and Hughes fought to prevent that from happening. “His efforts of not only us keeping a park open, but his idea of creating a 28 lane archery range out here is just, I believe will make a big impact in South Mississippi,” said Mayor Gollott.
The City of Gautier hopes to have archery implemented in school programs. They’re also working on getting a 5A classification for the range that would make it a first for South Mississippi and one of only two in the state.