Page 24 - OutdoorOK2024MayJune ONLINE

WHY BUILD SHOOTING RANGES?
HEATHER DEL MORAL/ODWC to wildlife conservation. When shooters buy sporting arms
Recreational shooters have become major contributors

and ammunition, manufacturers pay an excise tax to the
federal government that is required to be apportioned
back to the states for wildlife conservation efforts.
The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation
is a user-pay, public-benefit system, and recreation-
al shooters along with hunters and anglers are the top
payers ensuring conservation happens and that wildlife
abounds for those who love the outdoors.
With recreational shooting on the rise during the
past decade, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation is working to help meet the greater
demand for places to shoot. ODWC has more than 20
shooting ranges in various stages of construction, envi-
ronmental, engineering, and/or planning phases.
ODWC is committed to a multiyear program to renovate
or construct shooting ranges on Wildlife Management
Areas statewide as well as partner with outside par-
ties to encourage enhancement, expansion, and/or new
development of public target ranges in the state.
ODWC is addressing the need for increased public
Elevated archery stands at any ODWC shooting range require shooters to shooting access in Oklahoma for new hunters, and rec-
use a harness for safety.
reational and competitive shooters,
while also encouraging existing
AMANDA THOMAS/ODWC hunters and shooters to enhance

their skills by becoming more pro-
ficient with firearms, promoting
safe and responsible hunting and
shooting practices, and providing
safe and environmentally responsi-
ble shooting areas.
This guide shows where public land
shooting ranges can be found, and
also details plans that ODWC has for
future development of ranges.
Anyone who uses a Wildlife
Department shooting range must
possess a state of Oklahoma
hunting or combination hunting/
fishing license.
Detailed rules are posted at each
range. For more information, contact
A young shooter enjoys practicing at the Kaw WMA pistol range. the wildlife biologist for that area.

2 TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT!