The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting applications for its Shooting Range Grant Program, with a submission window that remains open until July 15, 2025. The initiative is designed to provide monetary backing to both public and private shooting ranges that comply with public access requirements, as reported by the DNR official release.
Funding from the program seeks to enhance safe and accessible shooting opportunities for firearm and archery enthusiasts across the state. Those with plans to establish a new range or managers of existing facilities looking to uplift their infrastructure are eligible to seek grants—assuming the range isn't operated as a for-profit entity. The grant seeks to embody areas that are nestled near populous regions and present educational programs on hunting and shooting sports.
Grants can be used for a variety of improvements and must be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, an essential consideration for all new constructions. The program, which operates on a reimbursement basis for expenses already incurred, has backed a diverse range of past projects, including the construction of indoor ranges, shooting benches, and necessary amenities like restrooms.
For the 2025 grant cycle, there's $600,000 on the table for applicants—down from the $800,000 distributed across 13 projects in the previous year. According to the DNR release, these funded initiatives leveraged an additional $392,036 in matching contributions, pushing total project costs to roughly $1,192,036.
Interested parties this year are required to take a new preliminary step before application submission: reaching out to either Sarah Brenner, the DNR Shooting Range Grant Program manager or Brett Johanen, the DNR public shooting range manager, to discuss their proposal. The DNR has made contact details available, encouraging prospective applicants to connect via email or phone. This procedural nuance is crucial for those seeking to join the program in 2025.
The DNR's ability to offer these grants stems from the federal excise tax on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment collected through the Pittman-Robertson Act, which earmarks funds specifically for wildlife conservation and habitat restoration efforts that include the development and maintenance of shooting ranges.
