2001 | The Beginnings: From Dream to Reality

Patrick Lieske wasn’t content with the traditional path of accounting. After years in public accounting, he realized his true passion lay in turning his lifelong hobby into a full-time career. With a background in competitive shooting and coaching on a global scale, Lieske’s journey into range management began at Hunters Creek Club in the late 1990s. But it wasn’t until 2001, at the age of 37, that his entrepreneurial dream truly took shape. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) had opened a public request for bid to operate Island Lake Shooting Range in Brighton, and Lieske seized the opportunity. Awarded the lease, he set out to transform the facility and build a business around his passion.

With a vision to one day manage multiple locations, Lieske incorporated his company as Michigan Shooting Centers. At the time, Island Lake offered just a modest rifle & pistol range and a few skeet and trap fields. Lieske rolled up his sleeves and personally constructed a sporting clays course, bringing new life to the facility. By the summer of 2002, Island Lake Shooting Range officially opened its doors under Michigan Shooting Centers’ management, marking the beginning of what would become a premier name in Michigan’s shooting sports community.

June 2005 | Michigan Shooting Centers hosts its first large-scale competition.

In June of 2005, Island Lake Shooting Range was selected to host its first Michigan Sporting Clays State Championship. This was the first of dozens of state, zone and regional championships to be eventually hosted by Michigan Shooting Centers.  209 shooters participated in the main event.

September 2008 | Expanding Operations at Bald Mountain Shooting Range

In the fall of 2008, Michigan Shooting Centers expanded its footprint by taking over operations at Bald Mountain Shooting Range, located in the Bald Mountain State Recreation Area in Lake Orion. The range had been largely closed to the public for several years, except for the rifle & pistol range, and was in desperate need of revitalization. The previous operator had left the facility in a state of neglect, but Michigan Shooting Centers saw its potential.

Under the leadership of Patrick Lieske, the facility underwent a complete transformation. Michigan Shooting Centers removed deteriorating structures, including the aging skeet and trap fields, and invested in the construction of a state-of-the-art sporting clays course. With these improvements, Bald Mountain Shooting Range was restored to a premier destination for shooting enthusiasts, reopening with a fresh look and enhanced offerings to the public.

2012 | Michigan Shooting Centers Enters the Firearms Retail Market

In 2012, Michigan Shooting Centers expanded its services by entering the firearms retail market, selling shotguns, rifles, and pistols out of its Lake Orion location. What began as a modest operation, with only a small inventory housed in a single display room and one gun counter, was the first step toward a new chapter for the company. The initial stock included just a few select firearms, but the move was driven by a desire to better serve the shooting community by offering a one-stop shop for both range services and firearm purchases.

Though small in scale, the introduction of firearm sales marked a significant milestone. It allowed Michigan Shooting Centers to deepen its connection with customers, offering expert advice and fostering relationships that extended beyond the range. As word spread, demand grew, and the gun shop quickly gained traction as a trusted resource for quality firearms. This venture paved the way for the eventual transformation into one of the largest competition sporting and hunting gun retailers in the country, establishing the foundation for what would become Orion Outdoors Co.

2021 | Michigan Shooting Centers Celebrates 20 Years with Industry-Leading Lifetime Warranty

In 2021, Michigan Shooting Centers marked a major milestone—its 20th anniversary of serving the shooting sports community. To celebrate two decades of growth, excellence, and customer loyalty, the company unveiled a groundbreaking initiative: a Lifetime Warranty on every factory new firearm purchased from its stores. This unparalleled warranty is the first of its kind in the industry, covering all makes and models of shotguns, rifles, and pistols. It reflects Michigan Shooting Centers’ commitment to not only selling firearms but standing by its customers long after the initial purchase.

The introduction of the Lifetime Warranty set a new standard in the industry, giving buyers peace of mind knowing their investment was protected for life. This initiative was more than a sales perk—it was a testament to Michigan Shooting Centers’ unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction and long-term relationships. As the business looked ahead to the future, the Lifetime Warranty became a symbol of the company’s promise to continue delivering exceptional service, just as it had for the previous 20 years. Celebrating this anniversary with such a bold offer reaffirmed the company’s position as a leader in both the shooting range and firearms retail sectors.

July 2022 | Michigan Shooting Centers Rebrands Gun Shop to Orion Outdoors Company

In July 2022, Michigan Shooting Centers took a bold step forward by rebranding its gun shop business unit to Orion Outdoors Company. Having been in the gun shop business since 2012, the company had grown into one of the nation’s largest competition sporting and hunting firearms retailers. As the gun shop expanded its reach and reputation, it became clear that operating under the same name as the shooting range facilities—Michigan Shooting Centers—didn’t fully capture the distinct identity and trajectory of the firearms retail side of the business.

Recognizing that the gun shop was no longer just a small part of the operation, the decision was made to give it its own name—one that reflects both its roots and its future. Orion Outdoors Company not only honors the location where the company’s gun shop journey began but also pays tribute to the timeless heritage of the hunter. This new name signals a new chapter, but the core values remain unchanged: the same dedicated team, the same exceptional level of service, and the same commitment to quality that customers have come to expect.

As Orion Outdoors Company, the company continues to build on its legacy of expertise in sporting and hunting firearms, while positioning itself for future growth. This rebranding represents not just a new name, but a renewed focus on what makes the business unique—deeply rooted in the outdoors, committed to serving the needs of shooters, and always looking toward the horizon of what’s next.

2024 – Present | A Family-Driven Legacy and Continued Growth

Today, Michigan Shooting Centers is proudly owned and operated by Patrick Lieske and his son, Drew, who work side by side to continue the company’s legacy of excellence. With a dedicated team of over 20 employees and a strong executive leadership group managing the daily operations at both of the company’s locations, Michigan Shooting Centers has grown into a premier destination for shooting enthusiasts. The Lieske family’s hands-on involvement ensures that every guest receives the highest level of service and the best possible experience on the range.

Beyond the day-to-day operations, the Lieske family continues to expand its presence in the outdoors industry. Through the launch and growth of subsidiaries like Orion Outdoors Company and Kemen USA, they have deepened their investment in the community and diversified their impact. This forward-thinking approach has allowed Michigan Shooting Centers to evolve from a single-location operation to a thriving business with multiple branches, all while staying true to the family’s core values of quality, service, and passion for the outdoors.