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Shooting Range Grants

What is the Indiana Shooting Range grant program?

The Department of Natural Resources Shooting Range grant program is an assistance program for the development of rifle, handgun, shotgun, and archery facilities.

The program has two main objectives:

  • Increase public recreational shooting opportunities
  • Train hunter education students

Where are the funds from?

Funding for the Department of Natural Resources Shooting Range grant program comes from the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Program which is commonly called the Pittman Robertson (P-R) Program, and from a federal excise tax on rifles, shotguns, handguns, ammunition, and archery equipment. Funds are apportioned to state fish and wildlife agencies based on the number of hunting license holders and each state's size in relation to the other states. Because of the need for local shooting opportunities in Indiana, the Division of Fish & Wildlife has made some of these funds available to local units of government and not-for-profit corporations for shooting range development.

How is funding received?

The project sponsor will not receive a cash grant at the time of project approval. Instead, the sponsor must pay the bills and be reimbursed for a maximum of 90% of the expenses incurred for the project according to the terms of the project agreement.

What are local sources of funding?

At the time of the application, the project sponsor must have at least 25% of the total project cost available. The local share may include tax levies, bond issues, or force account contributions. The donated value of cash, labor, equipment, and materials may also be used. Other sources of federal funding may not be used as a local match.

Who is eligible?

All units of government and agencies incorporated as not-for-profit corporations open to the public at least 20 hours per month will be eligible to participate.

Who administers the program?

At the local level, the Division of Fish & Wildlife administers the program. At the federal level, it is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

What types of projects may be funded?

Projects will be eligible for funding if they develop rifle, handgun, shotgun firing, or archery opportunities for public use.

Eligible types of development facilities include:

  • backstops
  • berms
  • target holders
  • baffles
  • gun racks
  • signage
  • field courses
  • benches
  • trap and skeet houses
  • platforms
  • sanitary facilities
  • classrooms
  • protective fencing
  • storage areas
  • shelters
  • parking lots
  • accessible pathways
  • support facilities

All facilities should be universally designed to accommodate all people. Facilities, programs, and activities funded through this program must be open to the public without discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, or disability.

Development on leased property is permitted if the lease endures for the expected life of the facilities to be built and provides for adequate public access. The grant applicant must agree to keep the project site in use as a public shooting range for the life of the facility.

Funds made available through pass-through grant arrangements may not be used for acquiring land.

How do I apply?

Download the most recent Shooting Range Grant guidelines. For additional questions, please contact:

Sam Whiteleather
Division of Fish & Wildlife
Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Email: swhiteleather@dnr.IN.gov

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