Fear & Loading: Zombies Coming Back to the Heartland

This year’s Hornady Zombies in the Heartland 3-Gun Match will take place May 31 to June 2 at the Heartland Public Shooting Park located in Grand Island, Neb. The event, now in its eighth year, will feature more zombies—a change requested by shooters—and stages to challenge all competitors, from expert to beginning.

A Pistol Caliber Carbine Division (PCC) is being offered this year, which features AR-15-style firearms chambered for pistol cartridges—9 mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. The class of firearms has grown in popularity in competition and Hornady is offering enthusiasts a chance to hone their zombie-hunting prowess in a new, two-gun division, where enthusiasts can utilize their PCC in place of handgun and rifle.

Registration is already open on the official website. A sponsor reception will take place before the match, May 30, at Riverside Golf Club.

With an unusual course-of-fire, Zombies in the Heartland attracts shooters from across the country and includes some traveling from outside the United States. Annually more than 400 shooters attend, with available slots sold out early each year.

The match will feature 10 competitive stages and five side-match states. Shooters will find new and reactive targets developed specifically for the event, with most targets breaking, falling over or moving. Participants will be required to compete with a pistol, rifle and shotgun. 

Heartland Public Shooting Park, operated by the Grand Island Parks and Recreation Department, is the largest and most comprehensive public shooting facility in America’s Midwest. It hosts a variety of regional and national events each year.

For updates follow the Zombies in the Heartland Facebook page. Sponsorship questions should be directed to Emily Mierau by e-mailing [email protected].

Hotel rooms can be reserved at the Boarders Inn and Suites (3333 Ramada Road, Grand Island, NE). Mention Zombies in the Heartland for reduced rates.