Mark your calendars, Ohioans. On August 16, target shooters and curious citizens alike will get their chance to let off some steam at the state's public shooting ranges—completely on the house. That's right, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is hosting a Free Range Day for anyone interested in trying their hand at shooting sports.
What's the catch? There isn't one. According to an announcement on the ODNR website, firearms, ammo, and safety gear will all be provided by on-site staff at no cost to visitors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at two featured ranges. Located in Delaware Wildlife Area and Spring Valley Wildlife Area, these ranges are prepped to be welcoming havens for both seasoned shooters and first-timers. And there's more—on Free Range Day, the shooting range permit requirement will be waived at all Division of Wildlife Class A, B, and C shooting ranges during their open hours.
The Delaware Wildlife Area range is found lurking at 1110 State Route 229 in Ashley, OH. In contrast, the Spring Valley Wildlife Area awaits at 3570 Houston Road in Waynesville, OH. Whether you're leaning towards supervised or unsupervised rifle and pistol target shooting or fancy some unsupervised clay target shotgun shooting, you've got options.
Usually, adult visitors to these ranges would need to fork over $5 for a daily permit or $24 for an annual pass. But on this day, the Division of Wildlife throws that rule out the window in partnership with the National Shooting Sports Foundation Inc., celebrating National Shooting Sports Month. For those who might feel a twinge of debate about the usefulness of outdoor shooting ranges, let's shoot down any doubt: in 2022, Ohio's target shooters were responsible for a hefty $2.6 billion in spending, per the ODNR statement. This booming pastime supported over 22,000 jobs, underpinning its substantial economic impact in the state.
The Division of Wildlife is dead set on its mission to ensure sustainable use and appreciation of Ohio's natural resources. If this event hits the bullseye and triggers your interest, consider it an open invitation. More details about the event and the state's public shooting ranges are available at wildohio.gov. And if you want to balance wise use with a little firepower fun, Ohio's inviting you to pull the trigger on an exciting Free Range Day experience.
