Chuck Niska, DNR shooting range coordinator; (651) 259-5050.
DNR Shooting/Archery Range Development Grants Available
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials have announced the current Shooting Range Grant Program has more than $100,000 in matching grant funds remaining to be used through June 30, 2008.
Since 1999, more than 100 of Minnesota's range operating groups from all parts of the state have received more than $1.5 million in grant funds. Both firearms and archery ranges have benefited from these grants, which are intended to increase the capacity of shooting sports for all Minnesota hunters and shooters.
Funding provided by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources has been used by the DNR to primarily improve the safety conditions on existing ranges, as well as addressing sound abatement. These are the two main issues addressed in the Shooting Range Protection Act, passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 2005.
The Shooting Range Grant Program has also helped to build safe, new, practical shooting ranges at a variety of locations in Minnesota where ranges did not exist.
Organizations interested in developing new firearms and archery ranges, or improving existing ranges must support DNR Firearm Safety Hunter Education, and have available public use hours and/or memberships for use at their range.
General information about the grant program, its guidelines and application for these funds can be found online at www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/recreation/rangedev.html
