DNR offering grants for firearm and archery shooting ranges

Get Our Email Newsletter
The companies, people and issues shaping business in Madison and the Capital Region.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for the Shooting Range Grant Program through Aug. 15. 

The grant program provides financial assistance for safe and accessible firearm or archery recreational shooting opportunities for the public.  

Managers of public or private shooting ranges can apply, as well as those interested in building a new rangeif the range is not operated as a for-profit business 

Ideal ranges offer educational programming for the public related to hunting and shooting sports.  

Advertisement

Previous projects awarded grant funding include renovating or constructing backstops, shooting benches, restrooms and more 

The 2026 grant cycle will have $600,000 available for range improvement projects. In 2025, the DNR awarded the full program budget of $600,000 to 10 projects, leveraging $238,900 in matching contributions and $838,900 in total project costs. 

The shooting range grant funding is made possible by a federal excise tax on firearms, ammunition and archery equipment through the Pittman-Robertson Act. 

More information can be found online. 

Digital Partners