MONTPELIER, Vt. -- Vermont Fish & Wildlife has extended its deadline to apply for shooting range improvement grants to April 15.
Developed to encourage upgrades of shooting ranges to enhance their safety and operation, the Shooting Range Improvement Grant Program seeks grant applications from clubs and government agencies involved in the operation of shooting ranges, including archery ranges until 4:30 p.m. The grant period begins July 1, 2018.
Eligible projects include shooting range re-development, noise abatement structures, safety berms, shooting benches, overhead shelters, and the construction or improvement of access roads and parking lots. Grant money may also be used for lead mitigation, such as recycling, reducing range floor surface drainage or liming range property.
An estimated $80,000 in grant funds will be available this year. These funds are derived through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife Restoration Program which is based on federal excise taxes on hunting and shooting equipment.
Ranges that receive one of these grants must provide at least 20 hours of public use per month when in operation and be open at reasonable times for hunter education courses.
For further information and a grant application, contact Daneil Pieterse by phone at (802) 272-6923 or by email at Daneil.Pieterse@Vermont.Gov .