Shooting Ranges Reopening at Deer Creek, Grand River, and Woodbury Wildlife Areas

Class A shooting ranges at Deer Creek, Grand River, and Woodbury wildlife areas will reopen to the public on Thursday, May 21, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. These three shooting ranges were initially closed in March 2020 as a safety precaution because of COVID-19 concerns.

Reservations are highly recommended to secure a preferred shooting time, as ranges will be operating at 50% capacity. The Division of Wildlife will accept reservations beginning Monday, May 18. Reservations can be made by calling the numbers provided below, from Monday to Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.. Shooting times are broken into 70-minute blocks, with 20 minutes in between to allow for proper cleaning. Visitors with reservations should arrive and check in no later than 15 minutes prior to their scheduled shooting time. Walk-ins are accepted as space allows within the 70-minute block.

State-owned Class A ranges that are reopening include:

• Deer Creek Wildlife Area shooting range, located at State Route 207 & Cook Yankeetown Road NE, Mt. Sterling 43143. Reservation phone number: (614) 644-3925.
• Grand River Wildlife Area Shooting Range located at 6693 Hoffman Norton Road NW, Bristolville 44402. Reservation phone number: (330) 644-2293.
• Woodbury Wildlife Area Shooting Range located at 23370 State Route 60, Warsaw 43844. Reservation phone number: (740) 589-9930.

Deer Creek and Grand River shooting ranges are open Thursday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shooting range at Woodbury will be open Thursday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Visitors are asked to follow all social distancing guidelines and respect others’ personal space while at the shooting range. In addition, visitors are also encouraged to follow this guidance to stay safe:

• Follow the Center for Disease Control’s guidelines on personal hygiene prior to heading to the range, including hand washing, carrying hand sanitizer, staying home if you feel sick, and covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
• The range restroom will be open, but guests should anticipate short closures for areas to be cleaned and sanitized. Bathroom hand driers and drinking fountains are not available.
• Masks are highly recommended to be worn at all times while using the range, in addition to proper eye and ear protection.

Shooting benches will be disinfected regularly with a commercial disinfectant. Shooters are encouraged to bring a towel or blanket to protect firearms and equipment. Shooters should also plan to provide their own eye and ear protection, targets and target holders.

Unsupervised shotgun, pistol and rifle ranges, as well as archery ranges on state properties, also remain open. A shooting range permit is required to shoot at Class A (supervised rifle and pistol), Class B (unsupervised rifle and pistol) and Class C target ranges (unsupervised clay target shotgun). A shooting range permit is not required at Class D (unsupervised archery) or other ranges not classified by the Division of Wildlife (other fees or purchases may apply).

Purchase an annual or daily shooting range permit through the Division of Wildlife’s online store or any location where hunting and fishing licenses are sold. An annual permit costs $24 and a daily permit is $5. An annual shooting range permit and hunting license combo is available to Ohio residents for $29.12.

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.

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.