(DNR) – Shooting ranges start to get busy this time of year as hunters prepare for the nine-day gun deer season the last week of November. Many ranges hold public sight in days as a community courtesy for hunters to check their equipment and test ammunition.
If you’re planning to head to the range for the first time soon, here’s what to expect.
Know Before You Go
- Check range websites and give them a call if needed to find their most up-to-date calendar of events and hours. Hours of use vary at each range, and many ranges update their hours as the hunting seasons progress.
- Ask about public sight in days leading up to the gun deer season opener on Saturday, Nov. 21. These events will draw a lot of people, with the goal of getting everyone cycled through as quickly (and safely) as possible. This means that time for target shooting may be limited, but for those who are new to firearms, ranges and hunting, there may be staff or volunteers around to help you sight in, adjust scopes and teach you some basics.
- Range use fees and the availability of supplies may change with the seasons and schedule of events. Ask about fees and availability of ammunition, targets and ear and eye protection in advance.
- Some ranges may require you to be trained by a staff member or volunteer in order to use the facilities. Check in advance to make sure that someone is available to help you.
Public Ranges Managed By The DNR
Did you know that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and partners manage 11 shooting ranges throughout the state? These ranges are open to the public for free or a reasonable fee. Ranges may be staffed or unstaffed, with varying facilities and offerings. Here are a few to check out:
- McMiller Sports Center (100 Walters Rd., Eagle, WI 53119)
- Wisconsin’s largest state-managed shooting range
- Fully staffed and operated by a partner organization
- 25, 50, 100, 200 and 300-yard ranges
- .22 plinking, beginner trap, sporting clays and archery range
- Columbia County Shooting Range (W6273 King Rd., Poynette, WI 53955)
- 25-foot handgun, 50-yard shotgun, 50 and 100-yard rifle ranges
- Wautoma Shooting Range (N2999 Bicentennial Rd., Wautoma, WI 54982)
- 25-foot handgun, 50, 100 and 200-yard ranges
- Yellowstone Lake Shooting Range (County Hwy. F, Fayette, WI 53530)
- 25-foot handgun, 50 and 100-yard ranges
- Archery range
- Peshtigo Shooting Range (W2490 Hipke Rd., Peshtigo, WI 54157)
- 50, 100 and 200-yard ranges
- Cornell Shooting Range (State Trunk Hwy. 64, Cornell, WI 54732)
- 25-yard handgun, 50 and 100-yard ranges
- CW Caywood Shooting Range (US-51, Woodruff, WI 54568)
- 25 and 100-yard ranges.
- Boulder Junction Shooting Range (10449 Nebish Lake Rd., Boulder Junction, WI 54512)
- 25-yard handgun, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 300-yard ranges.
- Trap and skeet fields
- Flambeau Area Shooting Range (11310 Hoffman Lake Rd., Park Falls, WI 54514)
- 25, 50,100 and 200-yard ranges
- Northwoods Wildlife & Wetland Club (834 Range Rd., Mercer, WI 54547)
- 100 and 200-yard ranges
- Trap and archery ranges
- Snaketrack Shooting Range (Snake Track Rd., Upson, WI 54565)
- 25, 50,100 and 200-yard ranges
View a map of public shooting ranges and learn about range rules and hours on the DNR’s Shooting Range webpage.
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