Department of Fish and Wildlife
Hunter Education Division
600 Capitol Way N
Olympia, Washington
98501-1091
(360) 902-8111
(360) 902-2942 - FAX
huntered@dfw.wa.gov

We welcome comments and suggestions regarding this publication. Most importantly, we want this book to help meet the needs of shooting range operators in better serving Washington's hunting and shooting public.

Shooting Range Application Policy and Procedures

Mission Statement: To promote recreational shooting opportunities in a safe and educational environment.

Federal funding for hunter education and shooting ranges is derived from one-half of the 11% federal excise tax on archery equipment and 10% federal excise tax on handguns, pistols and revolvers. The federal excise tax money is distributed to the states on the basis of population, with each state receiving a maximum apportionment of 3% and a minimum of 1%.

Funds for federally-funded statewide shooting range development in Washington State vary each year. In a typical recent year, $50,000 - $80,000 has been available. The shooting range development program is a matching, reimbursement program. This means that grantees will first pay any costs associated with construction and materials and then later will be reimbursed for up to 75% of these costs. The remaining 25% must be provided by a local, cost-share match.

At the time of application the project sponsor must have at least 25% of the total project costs available, which serves as the sponsor match. The local share may be case, including tax sources, bond issues or other contributions. The donated value of labor, equipment and materials may also be used.

Successful project sponsors will NOT receive a cash grant at the time of project approval. Instead, project sponsors must first pay the bills and later be reimbursed for a maximum of 75% of the expenses incurred for the project according to the terms of the project agreement. Reimbursement requests may be made periodically during the project period.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shooting range development program is separate from the range development program operated by the Recreation and Conservation Office (ROC). WDFW uses federal funding for its program, and federal rules and regulations–in addition to state rules and regulations–are applied. Funding for the IAC program is derived from state revenues only, and not all federal regulations are applicable.

Program Goals

The Shooting Range Program of the Department of Fish and Wildlife is designed to assist eligible shooting ranges on a reimbursement basis with construction of new facilities, expansion of or additions to existing facilities and maintenance of existing facilities. Regular public access is a requirement for all funded activities.

Eligible Applicants

Shooting Range Program funding is available ONLY to nonprofit shooting organizations, school districts, and state, county and local governments. At a minimum, nonprofit organizations must be formally registered with Washington’s Secretary of State.

Municipal corporations–such as port districts, park and recreation districts, public utility districts, etc.–may be eligible if legally authorized to develop and maintain recreational facilities.

Proposed shooting range projects must demonstrate in their application conformity with local zoning regulations BEFORE an application will be considered for funding. Applications which do not contain evidence of compliance with local zoning will be automatically rejected.

Only shooting facilities which are open to the general public on a regular basis will be considered for funding. Requests for funding private or commercial shooting ranges will not be considered.

Due to the variety of project proposals, it is possible that a proposed project may satisfy the eligibility and rating criteria, but the completed project may not provide adequate public shooting opportunity. WDFW reserves the right to disqualify any proposal(s) in which:

• Costs exceed the public shooting benefits.
• The facility requires intensive and high-cost maintenance.
• Fees charged at the site are excessively high when compared to fees charged at similar facilities.

Shooting Range Committee

The Shooting Range Committee (SRC)–comprised of representatives from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife enforcement, wildlife, and hunter education programs–selects successful project applications. Using criteria and a scoring matrix identified elsewhere in this manual (See: Appendices) SRC representatives meet at least once per year to evaluate shooting range project applications.

A separate public advisory committee–comprised of citizen representatives from various shooting disciplines–also review and score all project applications and provide funding recommendations for agency SRC staff. Agency SRC represent the final authority in funding decisions.

SRC and advisory committee meetings are conducted in accordance with the Open Public Meetings act and are open to the general public. For specific meeting dates, times, and locations, please contact hunter education staff at (360) 902-8211.

Contact hunter education program staff for all questions relating to the Shooting Range Committee and the public advisory committee. The contact address is:

Department of Fish and Wildlife
Hunter Education Program
600 Capitol Way N
Olympia, Washington 98501-1091
Phone:(360) 902-8111
Fax: (360) 902-2942
E-mail: huntered@dfw.wa.gov

Submit all applications and correspondence relating to shooting range development activities to the above address.