Albany, NY - February 7, 2014 - As part of Governor Cuomo's NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today awarded nearly $135,000 in grants to 13 shooting ranges to revitalize and improve their operations and public access and promote the responsible use of firearms, DEC Commissioner Joe Martens announced. In partnership with Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County, and with funding support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, grants under this program will help shooting ranges expand public use of their facilities.
"These grants are the latest effort of Governor Cuomo's NY Open for Fishing and Hunting program and will further efforts to develop familiarity with firearms and archery proficiency necessary for safe and ethical hunting, while promoting the careful use of firearms and archery equipment," Commissioner Martens said. "Ranges are key outlets to help develop necessary firearms and archery skills to promote the responsible use of equipment before heading out to the field."
Funding for the program is derived from the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration program, based on a federal tax on firearms and ammunition made available to state fish and wildlife agencies for their sportsman education activities. This year, DEC sought applications up to $15,000 for range improvement projects. Each successful applicant provided a match of at least 25 percent of the total project. These grants allow recipients to enhance their existing ranges or to build new facilities, including ranges, storage units, accessible restrooms, roads, parking areas and hunter education classrooms.
DEC awarded grants to the following organizations:
Shooting Range Small Grants Program
| Organization | County | Amount | Project |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freeport Revolver and Rifle Association | Nassau | $15,000 | ADA compliance and drainage on outdoor 25-yard range |
| Tonawanda Sportsmen's Club | Niagara | $15,000 | Replace safety shot screen on trap and skeet fields and post safety signs |
| Seneca Waterways Council, BSA | Seneca | $15,000 | Construct a shooting platform for archery and BB gun range |
| Painted Post Field and Stream Club | Steuben | $15,000 | Construct a ground level/elevated archery range |
| Tioga County Sportsmen's Association | Tioga | $15,000 | Convert an outdoor pavilion into an enclosed heated structure |
| Hawkeye Bowmen Inc. | Erie | $11,366 | Improve clubhouse infrastructure |
| Baldwinsville Rod and Gun Club | Onondaga | $ 9,573 | Rifle and handgun range improvements for shooters with disabilities |
| Milford Fish and Game Club | Otsego | $ 8,542 | Drill water well and connect it to the clubhouse |
| Sprite Club | Fulton | $ 6,958 | Construct a 100-yard rifle range |
| Middleburgh Rod and Gun Club | Schoharie | $ 6,956 | Replace trap machine |
| Lima Gun Club | Livingston | $ 6,732 | Upgrade rifle/pistol range access road, handicap access of range house and upgrade lighting |
| Constableville Fish and Game Club | Lewis | $ 4,988 | Renovate exterior of clubhouse |
| Old Hickory Long Gun of Newark Valley Historical Society | Tioga | $ 4,650 | Construct a shooting shelter and storage shed |
The 2014 Shooting Range Small Grants Program application will be available March 1.
For the most updated information on the goals and eligible projects within the program and to obtain the Program Guidelines and Application Packet, visit the Shooting Range Small Grants Program page on DEC's website.
For questions or comments regarding the program, contact Cornell Cooperative Extension's Melissa Bailey at mrb323@cornell.edu or call 315-793-2515. For the most updated grant guidelines and applications, visit the Shooting Range Small Grants Program page on DEC's website.