Ohio DNR Division of Wildlife Shooting Ranges Open Mar. 1
OutdoorHub 02.22.12
Public shooting ranges operated by the ODNR Division of Wildlife will open for the year on March 1st. Two different counties in central Ohio (Delaware and Fayette counties) offer rifle, pistol, shotgun, and archery ranges.
Ranges are classified by the type of facilities offered and whether they are supervised. A class “A” range requires a shooting range permit for all persons 18 years and older. Shooters age 17 and under are not required to purchase a permit, but must be accompanied by and directly monitored by an adult (age 18 years or older) holding a valid shooting range permit. This permit is available at all hunting and fishing license outlets and online at www.WildOhio.com.
In central Ohio, Delaware Wildlife Area range in Delaware County and Deer Creek Wildlife Area in Fayette County are class “A” ranges. They are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Wednesday through Sunday beginning March 1. Hours of operation for other class “A” ranges may vary, however all are closed every Monday and Tuesday as well as the following dates: Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day (also closed all of January and February).
While the Deer Creek rifle range will be open March 1st, the shotgun range area will remain closed through the middle of March due to construction on the property. Shooters should also expect additional closures in the coming weeks depending on the progress of the construction project. Further closures will be announced on the Division of Wildlife’s public shooting ranges web page.
The annual shooting range permit is $24.00 and allows the permit holder to access Class “A” ranges throughout the year. A one-day shooting range permit is $5.00 and allows permit holder to access a Class “A” range for one visit (the permit is valid only once). These permits partially offset the cost of the shooting range attendant, restroom facilities, maintenance, trash removal, and improvements.
