Target Range Grant Program

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Target Range Grant Program is a federally supported initiative dedicated to expanding public access to safe and well-equipped shooting and archery facilities throughout the state. Administered by LDWF under the Wildlife Restoration Program Fund and funded by federal excise taxes on certain firearms and archery equipment, the program promotes responsible firearm use, hunter education, and recreational shooting sports. The overarching goal is to enhance infrastructure for public shooting ranges, ensuring accessibility, safety, and educational opportunities for citizens across Louisiana. The grant program offers two distinct funding tracks: Planning and Development Grants, with a funding cap of $250,000, and Construction and Equipment Grants, which provide up to $1,500,000 in reimbursable assistance. Both grant types operate on a cost-reimbursement model where approved sponsors must first expend their own funds and then receive reimbursement for up to 90 percent of eligible project costs. Only new construction, expansion, or rehabilitation projects that increase user capacity and accessibility are eligible. Projects on private property may qualify if a binding easement or lease ensures public access for the facility’s useful life. Eligible applicants include local government subdivisions, nonprofit organizations, and commercial entities. Applicants must demonstrate legal control of the proposed project site—either through ownership, easement, or lease—prior to submitting their application. Additional eligibility criteria include having a federal Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), registration with Louisiana’s LAGOV vendor system, and adherence to both state and federal legal standards. All new range construction projects must include a classroom component dedicated to hunter and firearm safety education. To apply, sponsors must submit their completed application between April 1 and July 1 via LDWF’s online portal. Required materials include legal documentation of site control, detailed project descriptions, maps, photographs, site plans, budget narratives, and signed assurance forms. For Planning and Development Grants, a resolution or letter of support from the local political subdivision is mandatory at the time of application. For Construction Grants, public notification of the proposed project in the parish’s official journal is also required upon LDWF’s recommendation for funding. LDWF evaluates project proposals using a scoring system managed by a committee that includes LDWF staff and NGO or industry partners. Consideration is given to financial match commitment, project readiness, design compliance, environmental impact, and public access assurance. Sponsors must be prepared to undertake cultural and environmental resource assessments, submit to audits, obtain all required permits, and fulfill rigorous maintenance and reporting duties throughout the project’s lifecycle. Selected Planning Grants are expected to be completed within one year of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) approval, while Construction Grants must be completed within three years. Following approval, the grant agreement formalizes expectations related to operations, maintenance, signage, fee structures, and public use. Sponsors must install both temporary and permanent signage acknowledging federal support and commit to ongoing compliance with accessibility, safety, and environmental standards. Facilities must be kept in good repair, open to the public without discrimination, and operated transparently. Noncompliance may result in disqualification from future grants or legal enforcement. LDWF provides technical guidance and expects sustained community benefit from these publicly accessible shooting facilities throughout their intended lifespan.

Reimbursement only for post-approval work; ensure public access and long-term operations; prepare for permitting, audits, and reporting.