Phillip Dobkins

Cheyenne, WY

no photo available

State Director Info

Background

I started participating and competing in shooting sports through the local 4-H program in Laramie, Wyoming. At age 12, I started competing in USA Shooting, CMP and NRA sanctioned events. Currently live in Cheyenne, Wyoming and continue to practice and compete in shooting sports. Myself and my daughter have competed at Camp Perry and Anniston, Alabama. I’m also head coach for my own youth shooting sports program in Cheyenne. I participate in smallbore/air rifle, pistol, BPCR, shotgun and muzzleloading rifle.

Awards

Certified Level 3 Advanced Rifle Coach, Distinguished Expert Winchester Pistol Program, USA Shooting Wyoming State Rifle Champion, Wyoming State 4-H Champion Rifle and Pistol. President’s Top 100.

Personal Info

My hobbies include martial arts, camping, hunting, fishing, blacksmithing, and youth coaching. I am married with two daughters, who are also active in USA Shooting, NRA and CMP competition.

Reasons

Participation in junior smallbore/air rifle competitions have dropped recently and that prompted me to contact the CMP about upcoming matches. Since I’m also head coach of my own program I felt I could really help boost participation and match sponsorship by becoming State Director and providing leadership to other clubs in the state.

Goals/Hopes

My goals are to advance youth shooting sports in the State of Wyoming. I’d like to grow the number of clubs and sanctioned matches over the next two years. I’d also like to see more participation from Wyoming clubs at the National Level.

Linda Dobkins

Cheyenne, WY

no photo available

State Director Info

Background

I grew up in Laramie, Wyoming and have lived in Cheyenne, Wyoming for the past 20 years. Growing up my family was active in big game hunting, fishing and camping. We were also involved in shooting sports from a young age and continue to stay involved. We currently sponsor a youth shooting sports program in Cheyenne. I am currently certified as a Level 3 Advanced Rifle Coach. I’m also active in rifle, pistol and shotgun competitions and have coached rifle, pistol and muzzleloading rifle over the years.

Awards

Distinguished Expert Winchester Pistol Program, Certified Level 3 Coach

Personal Info

I am a graduate of the University of Wyoming and am employed as a civil engineer. My hobbies include shooting sports, ice hockey, marital arts and travel.

Reasons

As the U.S. comes out of the pandemic, I noticed clubs that had once been active in the state were not there anymore. Some of the youth competitions that had once taken place in Wyoming were also not being scheduled. My brother and I started our own youth shooting sports program, and the logical next step was to start hosting these matches and helping other clubs grow. We checked with the CMP and found that the State Director position was currently vacant for Wyoming, so we both applied.

Goals/Hopes

Some of my goals for junior shooting sports in Wyoming are to establish more matches in the state and increase participation of Wyoming clubs in National Level matches. I’d also like to see the number of Wyoming clubs increase, not only in rifle, but also in other disciplines.

CMP Air Range Mural Artist Visits Camp Perry

As summer draws to a close, Camp Perry welcomes back a favorite visitor. 

The 100-foot-wide mural, created in 2009, covers the south wall of the CMP’s indoor air range.

Those who have stepped foot inside the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) indoor air gun facility in Port Clinton Ohio, are familiar with the unmistakable mural that encompasses the south-facing wall of the range within. The mural captures notable moments in time from the historic Camp Perry ranges, home to the annual National Matches marksmanship tradition since 1907, through illustrations hand-painted years ago by celebrated American artist, Jerry Antolik. 

Chet and Junie stand in front of the mural with Grandpa watching over them from the tractor.

Recently, Jerry and his wife Sherry brought their son Joe, Joe’s wife Heather and their two children, Chet (6) and Junie (3), to see Grandpa’s mural. 

The family members were on their way back to Wyoming from a family reunion in Girard, Pa., where Jerry was raised. They had relatives from Virginia, Ohio, New Jersey and, of course Wyoming, where Jerry’s branch of the family resides.

With the theme of connecting generations, Jerry wanted his grandchildren to see the art that he and his immediate family had put so much time and effort into, with Jerry, Sherry and Joe all having had a hand in creating the artworks that we all enjoy at Camp Perry.

Such images carefully coated upon the 100-foot-wide air range wall include depictions of Marine Corps veteran and 12-time national pistol champion Brian Zins, former U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit air rifle athletes George Norton and Hank Gray and even two-time Olympic gold medalist, Director of Civilian Marksmanship (Emeritus) and facility namesake Gary Anderson, who still lives only a few miles away.

Sherry also helped with the painting and the lettering mural, and son Joe helped weld the “Garand Men” at their ranch in Lander, Wy. The 11-foot statues crafted entirely out of hundreds of authentic, decommissioned M1 Garand parts stand tall outside of CMP’s facilities in Ohio and Alabama, including Camp Perry.

Gary and Jerry in front of the painting of Gary on the mural.
The whole family came to the range including Baby Bear, who Chet says he has had forever.

During the family’s visit, Gary Anderson himself was able to come and reminisce with Jerry about the time and effort that went into this important mural. Jerry joked that he wanted to see if Gary was “still as cute” as when he painted him.

Gary got to see the Antolik grandchildren, and Chet and Junie get to try their hands firing the CMP’s air rifles at Huckleberry Targets, which light up and make different animal sounds when hit downrange. 

Chet and Junie shooting at the Huckleberry targets with help from their dad, Joe.
The whole Antolik family in front of the mural.

This is what the range was built for, the continuation of the shooting sports for generations to come, and a perfect way to sum up what this mural and range means to the shooting sports community. 

If you have the chance, stop by and see why we are so proud of our range and it’s mural.

Read the original story of the mural from 2009 here: http://www.odcmp.org/0909/default.asp?page=ANTOLIKMURAL

Civilian Marksmanship Program Announces $10 Million Challenge Grant for Wyoming State Shooting Complex

ANNISTON, Ala. — The Board of Directors of the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is pleased to announce the approval of a $10 million challenge grant dedicated to the development of the new Wyoming State Shooting Complex (WSSC) in Cody, Wy. This significant investment marks a major milestone in the CMP’s strategic “Western Expansion,” establishing a permanent footprint to serve marksmanship enthusiasts west of the Mississippi River.

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More than 100 attendees gathered in Cody, Wyoming, as shovels hit the ground to mark the official start of the Wyoming State Shooting Complex (WSSC). Photo courtesy of Wyoming State Shooting Complex.

The $10 million grant is structured as a matching initiative available for three years. Under the terms of the agreement, the CMP will match new private and industry donations secured by WSSC dollar-for-dollar, up to $10 million.

United States Senator John Barrasso fired one of the first ceremonial shots with an M1 Garand. Photo courtesy of Wyoming State Shooting Complex.
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon and Senator John Barrasso pose with an M1 Garand rifle after firing ceremonial first shots. Photo courtesy of Wyoming State Shooting Complex.
An M1 Garand magazine ejects as Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon fires a round downrange. Photo courtesy of Wyoming State Shooting Complex.

“Cody, Wyoming, is a great choice for Western expansion,” CMP Board Member and Wyoming resident Ed Newell noted following a site visit. “The Wyoming State Shooting Complex” offers a unique opportunity for a high-impact partnership consistent with CMP’s mission to promote youth programs, marksmanship and firearms safety.

CMP Chief Operating Officer, Fabian Lobera, and CMP Board Member, Ed Newell, attended the WSSC Groundbreaking Ceremony and displayed a poster with details on the CMP, our history and mission and vision statements.

Senator Barrasso addressed the crowd. Shown here is the architectural design of the event center, which will include a retail area, a classroom, a catering kitchen, and a multi-purpose conference hall for indoor archery and air gun. A mid-2027 grand opening is the goal.
Chief Operating Officer Fabian Lobera, a Wyoming native, announced the CMP’s Challenge Grant Program, which will match funds raised for the new 2,000-acre shooting complex dollar for dollar, up to $10 million. Photo courtesy of Wyoming State Shooting Complex.

A Premier Destination for Marksmanship, the WSSC is currently under development on 2,000 acres of state-contributed land located just seven miles south of downtown Cody. Positioned as a gateway to Yellowstone National Park, the complex aims to become the nation’s premier shooting sports destination, featuring purpose-built venues for elite competitors, recreational shooters, and youth programs.

Beyond the financial contribution, the partnership includes several key collaborative elements:

  • CMP Retail Presence: There’s a plan for the WSSC clubhouse to feature a CMP Store which would provide visitors with access to historic American firearms.
  • Museum Synergy: The complex’s proximity to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which houses over 7,000 firearms, will create a unique “view it, learn it, then buy it” experience for the more than one million tourists who visit the area annually.
  • Expert Range Design: The CMP will provide technical input on range design to ensure the facility can host the organization’s signature matches and national-level competitions.

The WSSC project has earned full support from the Wyoming Legislature and Governor, and it is governed by a Joint Powers Board representing city and county leadership. Construction is already underway, with core infrastructure and internal roads currently being established.

About the Civilian Marksmanship Program: The CMP is a federally chartered 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to instruction in firearms safety and marksmanship training. While serving all U.S. citizens, the CMP places its highest priority on youth programs that encourage personal growth and build life skills through competitive shooting sports.

Photo courtesy of Wyoming State Shooting Complex.
Patrick Giles, CEO (WSSC), Fabian Lobera, COO (CMP), Ed Newell, CMP Board Member and Glenn Ross, Chairman of the Wyoming State Shooting Complex Joint Powers Board.  

About the Wyoming State Shooting Complex: The WSSC is a visionary project designed to be a world-class destination for shooting sports. Its mission is to inspire youth participation, promote responsible firearm use, and serve as a catalyst for economic growth and outdoor recreation in the State of Wyoming and our nation.

Media Contact: Christine Elder, CMP Communications Manager, [email protected]

More than 100 people attended the groundbreaking on Saturday, April 25, and construction is underway, with core infrastructure and interior roads already in place.