ODNR Division of Wildlife, NSSF slate free range day Aug. 17

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources 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 Saturday, Aug. 17.

Visit one of the following Division of Wildlife public shooting ranges from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to get hands-on experience with firearms from certified instructors at no charge:

• Deer Creek Wildlife Area, corner of state Route 207 and Cook Yankeetown Road NE, Mount Sterling
• Delaware Wildlife Area, 1110 state Route 229, Ashley
• Spring Valley Wildlife Area, 3570 Houston Road, Waynesville

On-site staff will provide equipment, ammunition, ear protection, and eye protection, according to an Aug. 9 news release from ODNR.

Free range day is offered in conjunction with the National Shooting Sports Foundation Inc.’s (NSSF) 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; and Class C ranges host unsupervised clay target shotgun shooting.

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The shooting range permit requirement is waived on all Division of Wildlife Class A, B, and C shooting ranges Aug. 17. On all other days, everyone age 18 or older shooting on Division of Wildlife Class A, B, or C ranges is required to purchase a shooting range permit, which is 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, according to the release. In 2022, Ohio’s 1.1 million target shooters spent $2.6 billion on their hobby, supporting more than 22,000 jobs. About 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.