Shooting Range Development Grant Program

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission created the Shooting Range Development Grant Program in 1996 to encourage the development and improvement of shooting ranges and to support their maintenance and operation. The program supports the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Hunter Education Program, encourages hunters to improve firearms proficiency, promotes safe hunting and shooting practices, provides Arizona residents with safe shooting areas including archery facilities, and supports law enforcement training. The FY28 opportunity is expected to become available in October 2026, with applications required to be postmarked or submitted before 5 p.m. on January 15, 2027. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. The program supports shooting ranges that provide recreational public shooting. Eligible projects include development, redevelopment, relocation, noise abatement structures, land preparation, construction of backstops and safety berms, sky and noise baffles, indoor-range air filtration systems, lead recovery systems, shooting pads, stations and covers, storm drainage systems, electrical, water and sewage systems, training, storage and clubhouse facilities, dormitories, sanitary facilities, access roads and parking lots, security or safety fencing and gates, target holder systems, and signage. Targets and target frames, engineering and design documents and plans, audio and visual equipment, personal protective equipment, and hearing and blood testing are identified as non-eligible projects or expenditures. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission determines the amount of money available each year, with total program funding generally stated as $100,000. Grant funds reimburse eligible project expenditures for up to 50 percent of total project cost. The remaining project cost may be matched with cash, donated labor and materials, or land. Projects involving development, redevelopment, relocation, noise abatement, improvements, or purchases of capital equipment must have an expected useful life of at least five years. Acceptance of an award also requires the range to be made available for Arizona Game and Fish Department Hunter Education activities, hunter recruitment efforts, and activities supporting the Archery in the Schools Program and Scholastic Clay Target Program. Eligible applicants include groups such as sportsmen's clubs and government agencies. If an applicant is not a government agency, the organization must demonstrate five years of successful range operation. The range must likewise have a history of operation for at least five years unless it is owned or managed by a government agency. Privately owned and for-profit ranges are not eligible. The program is directed toward shooting ranges providing recreational public shooting in Arizona. Applications may be submitted through the postal service or through the online application. An online application does not have to be completed and submitted in one sitting. After submission, the user receives an email containing a link that allows the application to be edited until the deadline. Supporting documentation may be uploaded to the online application or sent to mschwartzkopf@azgfd.gov. Paper applicants must use the forms supplied in the FY Application Packet and include all required documentation at the time of submission. One complete color copy of the paper application and supporting documentation, on letter-size 8.5 by 11 inch paper, must be submitted to Arizona Game and Fish Department, Statewide Shooting Range Administrator, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. Supporting documents identified on the program page include the Budget Worksheet, AGFD SHPO Consultation Form, Board Resolution in Support of the Grant Application, and Arizona GAO-W9 Form. Grant applications are scored by a panel of Arizona Game and Fish Department employees, and final awards are determined by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission at its May meeting. More than one proposal may be considered worthy of funding, and the available program funding may not be sufficient to support every qualifying project. When that occurs, panel members attempt to reach consensus regarding the proposals recommended for funding. Applicants that do not receive funding during one grant cycle may be invited to reapply in another year. For additional information, applicants may call the statewide shooting ranges administrator at 623-236-7395.

Submit a complete application by the deadline because incomplete or late applications will not be considered; ensure non-government applicants can document five years of successful range operation; budget for the required 50 percent project share using cash, donated labor and materials, or land; ensure applicable development and capital projects have an expected useful life of at least five years; confirm the range can support required Arizona Game and Fish Department activities.