Guidelines for the Shooting Range Development Grant Program

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources' Shooting Range Development Grant Program helps provide hunter education, shooting sport programs and recreational shooting opportunities to the citizens of Utah.

Through this program, the Division promotes safe hunting and shooting by supporting facilities that provide safe and convenient places to learn how to and to practice discharging firearms.

The grants provide financial support and assistance to Utah clubs or organizations that help recruit and train new hunters and shooters, and retain or reactivate experienced hunters and shooters. They are designed to promote the safe and proper use of firearms and archery equipment by funding specific shooting range improvement projects.

This program is funded through the Division by Utah hunting license fees and by a Federal excise tax on firearms, shooting supplies and ammunition. Qualifying projects must have a positive and direct benefit to Utah hunters and shooters.

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Eligibility and requirements

You can apply for a grant from April 15–June 15 each year. Applications received outside of this timeframe will not be considered for funding.

Organizations may only apply for and receive one grant per fiscal year (July 1–June 30). All grant requests, no matter the amount, must be approved by the Division Director. The Division only awards grants as funds are available.

There are specific restrictions and criteria for the types of projects that are eligible for a grant. Project grants are for shooting ranges that provide recreational public shooting. To be eligible, the project or organization must meet one or more of the following:

• Be located in Utah.
• Provide opportunities for hunter and shooter recruitment, retention or reactivation.
• Provide a place for hunter education students to learn and practice how to safely handle firearms and archery equipment, and to complete live firing exercises.
• Enhance shooting facilities that are open to the general public for sight-in services or practice using firearms and archery equipment.

For approved projects, applicant organizations are responsible for 100% of the upfront costs and will directly pay vendors. Approved projects that utilize Federal funds will be reimbursed up to 75% of the total project cost. The grant-recipient organization must provide the remaining 25%. The Division will reimburse the grant-recipient organization with the eligible share of the project costs in the signed grant agreement.

Funding is not available to the following kinds of limited-access facilities:

• Law enforcement-only shooting ranges
• Commercial endeavors at a range facility (e.g. refreshment concessions)
• Private facilities, including member-only facilities
• Facilities limited to competitive shooters

What you'll need to complete the application

• A statement describing the need, objective and expected results and benefits of the project
• A statement describing the approach and location for the proposed project—including the plans to enhance safety, hunter education, shooter access, facility use by a variety of groups or availability to the public
• A detailed cost estimate (You must note in your written grant proposal if your organization wishes to provide any portion of its funding match through in-kind labor or materials.)
• A statement detailing the amount of grant funding being requested
• A description of how the project meets local needs and how much local support it has
• A site map and description of all ground disturbance related to the project
• A copy of the organization's lease or deed for the property where the project will occur
• Proof of incorporation status for any non-profit organization
• Contact information for the project and organization leaders

Selection process

Applications will be selected for available funding based on, but not limited to, the following criteria:

• Proximity to population centers
• Location of similar facilities within a 50-mile radius of the proposed project
• Benefits to the community
• Number of days the facility is open to the general public
• Fees to be charged to the general public
• Public events offered
• Number of partner groups supporting the project
• Impact to the hunting and shooting community
• Ability of the project proposal to enhance the goals of the program

Questions

If you have a question about the Shooting Range Development Grant Program or the application, please contact Gary Cook, Hunter Education and Shooting Sports Programs Coordinator, at 801-538-4719 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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