Licklider Shooting Complex 
OPEN for the 2026 Season
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This county-owned property has a long history of being managed by a local conservation & environmental education-oriented group known as the Little Sioux Wildlife Association.  The management of the property was transferred to the Cherokee County Conservation Board in 2023 and named the Licklider Shooting Complex. This 50-acre property currently consists of a gun range, an archery area, and a trap area. 

The gun range includes 25, 50, and 100 yard distances. Only paper targets are allowed. You will need to provide your own.

Opened on August 1, 2025 the Ken Thomas Archery Area consists of targets at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 yards. Development of a 3-D archery trail is in the works, but will be completed in 2026. 

The trap field area consists of four fields and a support building, which contains the only running water bathrooms on the property. They will open to the general public use in 2026 and machines will be available for use on certain days and hours, depending on staff availability. Users can rent the field and machine with clays. Fees/round have yet to be determined. 

Shooting teams will not be charged a permit fee when practicing as a club, but will need to call or e-mail ahead to schedule range use.

Other future improvements will come in the form of new shooting tables, new roof on the 100 yd shooting shelter, development & installation of a 50 yd shooting shelter, updated electrical in the buildings, and a rentable three season day-use facility. 

Address
This property is located at 5949 Little Sioux Rd, Cherokee, IA. It is approximately 5 miles south of Cherokee on River Rd, turn East on 590th, then a quick turn South down Little Sioux Rd. The property borders River Road Conservation Area.

2026 Fees
 $5/day/shooter, $10/student annual permit (1 permit/student under 18 yrs old, must be accompanied by an adult), OR $40/household annual fee (Household consists of 2 adults and any minors under the age of 18 yrs old. It does not cover guests). Fees cover the use of entire complex (gun ranges and archery area).

Fees can be paid on-site or online. Click here to purchase an annual or daily permit.

2026 Events
There are a couple of events when the gun range will be closed to general public use for a special event.

• May 1-3: Cherokee Ridgerunners Rendezvous- bring your historic firearm!
• October 9-11: Cherokee Ridgerunners Rendezvous- bring your historic firearm!
• August 2: OPEN HOUSE! No public shooting. Includes tours and refreshments. Time TBD.
  
  

ALL RANGE RULES (PDF)
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Licklider Complex Rules

• Range fees must be paid prior to use of facilities.
• All shooters and guests must sign-in at the registration station BEFORE commencing use of the range. They must also sign-out when leaving.
• When range is full, please limit open shooting to 1 hour to allow other shooters use of the facilities.
• All minors must be under direct supervision of a responsible adult.
• Alcohol, illegal drugs, and all those under the influence are prohibited from the range and surrounding area.
• All shooting must take place at the appropriate range location.
• Range hours are sunrise to sunset. The range is closed December 23-March 1, weather dependent. 
• No hunting or camping on the property.
• Abuse of property or illegal dumping will result in range closure.
• Any violation of these rules may result in a citation and/or revocation of range privileges.

Cherokee County Conservation Board
629 River Rd
Cherokee, IA 51012
Office Hours: Monday-Friday
8:00am-4:30pm
Phone: 712-225-6709
E-mail: [email protected]
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