8-11-2024 11:20pm

ODNR DIVISION OF WILDLIFE OFFERING FREE RANGE DAY

Beth Callahan Editor

From the Ohio Department of Natural Resources

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife and the National Shooting Sports Foundation have partnered to host a Free Range Day at three of Ohio’s premier public shooting ranges on Saturday, August 17.

The Association for Conservation Information is a national, nonprofit organization of natural resources communicators. Through ACI, state, federal, and Canadian wildlife resource agencies share best practices and ideas. The annual ACI competition honors the best in information, social media, print publications, videos, graphics, and marketing.

You can visit one of the following Division of Wildlife public shooting ranges on Free Range Day to gain hands-on experience with firearms from certified instructors at no charge from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Deer Creek Wildlife Area: corner of State Route 207 and Cook Yankeetown Road NE, Mt. Sterling, OH 43143
Delaware Wildlife Area: 1110 State Route 229, Ashley, OH 43003
Spring Valley Wildlife Area: 3570 Houston Road, Waynesville, OH 45068

On-site staff will provide equipment, ammunition, ear protection, and eye protection.

Free Range Day is offered in conjunction with the National Shooting Sports Foundation Inc.’s National Shooting Sports Month. Division of Wildlife public shooting ranges provide comfortable, safe places to hone skills with rifles, shotguns, handguns, and archery equipment. A complete list of range facilities, and the amenities offered at each, can be found at wildohio.gov.

Class A shooting ranges offer supervised rifle and pistol target shooting. Class B facilities offer unsupervised rifle and pistol target shooting, while Class C ranges host unsupervised clay target shotgun shooting.

The shooting range permit requirement is waived on all Division of Wildlife Class A, B, and C shooting ranges on Saturday, August 17. Outside of Free Range Day, all persons 18 and older shooting on Division of Wildlife Class A, B, or C ranges are required to purchase a shooting range permit, available at all hunting and fishing license outlets, via wildohio.gov, or on the HuntFish OH mobile app. Daily permits are available for $5, or an annual permit can be purchased for $24.

Recreational target shooting is a popular sport with a significant economic impact. In 2022, Ohio’s 1.1 million target shooters spent $2.6 billion on their hobby, supporting more than 22,000 jobs. Around 20% of Ohioans participate in target shooting each year. Outdoor shooting ranges like the Division of Wildlife’s public ranges were used by 71% of target shooters.

The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Visit wildohio.gov to find out more. In 2024, join ODNR as we celebrate 75 years of protecting Ohio’s natural resources and providing outstanding and award-winning recreational opportunities. ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov/.