Range President Bill Godfrey Interviewed on “The Ranch Podcast”

We are so excited to announce that our very own Crowfoot Range President Bill Godfrey was recently interviewed by host Matt Todd on an episode of the wildly popular “The Ranch Podcast” show. In the episode, the conversation starts at the origin of the Crowfoot range and how it came to be what it is today. They also speak to the community concerns, municipal involvement, funding options, and the political dynamics surrounding the range. You can view the whole interview here or just check out the embedded video on this page. If you want to learn more about Mr. Todd’s show and mission, check out his website here.

Below is a summary of the podcast conversation.

Crowfoot Range origins and mission

Crowfoot Range is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit emerging from a collaboration with the Eagle 4H Club, aimed at solving shooting-range accessibility for youth, law enforcement training, and community safety.

Avimor development donated 41 acres, with a nominal five-year lease for use, to establish a safe shooting venue while protecting residential areas from stray projectiles.

The initial goal emphasized hunter safety, firearm safety education, and a dedicated police training site.

Site selection and approvals

After evaluating 35,000 acres in Avimor, the project team identified a site that minimizes risk to residents and avoids errant bullets near homes.

A conditional use permit (CUP) was pursued with Boise County, followed by six years of legal challenges against opponents (notably Horseshoe Bend residents) that culminated in a judicial victory affirming buildability.

Community and law enforcement engagement

Letters of commitment were secured from emergency agencies (Gem County Sheriff, Ada County Sheriff’s Office) for training purposes; Ada County Sheriff faced procedural limitations but indicated willingness in principle.

Eagle’s city leadership, including Chief Ruby, expressed interest in using the range for training due to lacking a local facility.

Municipal involvement and obstacles

Two council meetings introduced the concept to Eagle’s leadership; prior administrations opposed partnerships, favoring a separate sports-park plan.

A six-minute presentation and subsequent town-hall discussions revealed mixed local sentiment, including concerns about open meeting laws, transparency, and resident input.

Open houses produced surveys with four questions, revealing a divided electorate: some favored continued city funding, others sought archery-only use, and several supported a $250,000 donation to Crowfoot Range.

Financial structure and sustainability

Crowfoot Range emphasizes self-sustainability: membership dues, day-use fees, and private sponsorships are envisioned to fund maintenance and operations.

There is a clear distinction between the Crowfoot proposal and the city’s Sports Park concept: the former seeks a smaller upfront investment and ongoing accountability, while the latter contemplates multi-million-dollar capital outlays with high maintenance costs.

Avimor’s land contribution is not a transfer of ownership; Crowfoot remains a separate nonprofit with governance and accountability for CUP compliance, safety, and community access.

Resident priorities and governance concerns

Eagle residents are wary of large future expenditures (the city’s $4 million plan) and potential lawsuits triggered by nearby bullet impact.

Proposals include discounted resident access, governance transparency, and explicit alignment with CUP requirements (fire suppression, sanitation, cameras, paving, etc.).

The council’s stance appears tentative, with an election cycle looming and two new council seats potentially reshaping decision-making.

Current status and forward path

Plans proceed independently of immediate city endorsement, leveraging private funding, contractor contributions, and community support to advance site work.

Ongoing discussions with Avimor’s contractor aim to accelerate rock crushing, grading, and site preparation, with a focus on safety, accessibility, and regulatory compliance.

The overarching aim remains: to provide Eagle and Avimor residents with a safe, affordable shooting facility that supports education and police training while respecting neighboring property interests.

Conclusion

Bill emphasizes a pragmatic route: Crowfoot Range will advance, funded through private efforts if necessary, and seeks partnership only where mutually beneficial and transparent. The conversation closes with a commitment to keep the public informed and to pursue shared community benefits, including safer shooting access and enhanced training opportunities. The path forward depends on collaboration, realistic budgets, and thoughtful engagement with Eagle’s evolving political landscape.