Veterans can shoot for free at Ohio public ranges Nov. 11

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife invites veterans to visit and shoot for free at one of Ohio’s premier public shooting ranges on Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11. The Division of Wildlife is providing a free range day as a thank-you to all veterans for their service, according to an Oct. 26 ODNR news release. This event includes all Class A, B, and C ranges.

Visit one of the following public shooting ranges 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, Mount Sterling
• Delaware Wildlife Area, 1110 state Route 229, Ashley
• Grand River Wildlife Area, 6693 Hoffman Norton Road, Bristolville
• Spring Valley Wildlife Area, 3570 Houston Road, Waynesville
• Woodbury Wildlife Area, 41384 state Route 541, Warsaw

On-site staff will provide equipment, ammunition, ear protection, and eye protection at these locations, according to the release.

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.

The shooting range permit requirement is waived for veterans on all Division of Wildlife Class A, B, and C shooting ranges Nov. 11. Otherwise, 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. The annual permit is $24.

Nonresident college students eligible for Ohio hunting, fishing licenses

Nonresident students who do not reside in Ohio but are actively enrolled in an Ohio college or university may purchase Ohio resident hunting and fishing licenses, according to the Division of Wildlife. The opportunity came after Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio General Assembly approved the change in July, according to an Oct. 30 news release from ODNR.

Nonresident students must be actively enrolled full time at an accredited Ohio college or university and reside in Ohio to qualify for residency. If students meet those requirements, they may purchase resident hunting licenses, fishing licenses, and permits, including apprentice licenses for those who are new to the activity.

Ohio’s resident fishing license is $25 and is valid for one year from the date of purchase. A fishing license is required to fish in Ohio public waters for anyone 16 and older. Ohio’s annual resident hunting license for the 2023-24 season is $19 for adults. A hunting license is valid immediately after purchase through Feb. 29, 2024. All hunters, regardless of age, are required to carry a valid hunting license to hunt or trap in Ohio.

Licenses can be purchased at wildohio.gov, on the HuntFish OH mobile app, or at participating agents statewide.

License sales fund the Division of Wildlife’s projects and programs that benefit wildlife and people. The Division of Wildlife manages or cooperatively manages more than 2 million acres of water and 750,000 acres of diverse wildlife areas. These habitats support popular game species, such as deer, turkey, and walleye, as well as key species, such as bald eagles and monarch butterflies.