Shooting Range Permits
For your shooting enjoyment and to make you a better hunter, the Game Commission maintains public shooting ranges across the state. Those who shoot firearms at the Pennsylvania Game Commission's state game lands public shooting ranges must possess and carry with them either an annual $31.97 range use permit or a current Pennsylvania general hunting or furtaker license. Individuals without a range use permit or hunting or furtaker license may be fined. Each licensed hunter or range permit holder may have one guest.
2023 Update to Shooting Range Permits: The Shooting Range Permit was recently updated and is now valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. A permit purchased after April 10, 2023 will have access to PGC shooting ranges for an entire year after the date of purchase.
Permit required for state game lands public shooting range users
Current hunting/furtaker license also provides range privilege
Unlike online hunting and furtaker license purchases, range use permits will be printed at the time of purchase. Consequently, you must have a functioning printer for your personal computer to complete the permitting process. Range permits also can be purchased at any hunting
license issuing agent, the agency’s
Harrisburg Headquarters and all six region offices, and require either a credit or debit card.
Buy a State Game Lands Shooting Range Permit at HuntFishPA.
Historically, hunter and furtaker license dollars have provided most, if not all, of the funding needed to keep the agency’s shooting ranges open to the public. But, in many cases, hunters and furtakers today are outnumbered on state game lands ranges by firearms enthusiasts who do not hunt or trap. The range permit fees ensure everyone who shoots at the agency’s ranges pays for range maintenance and development.
The Game Commission has completed lead remediation and safety upgrade projects at all public shooting ranges. Routine maintenance, including rebuilding target-line stations, cutting grass and other clean-up activities, often required the closure of ranges for several hours every month. More than $200,000 is spent annually on shooting range maintenance. To help keep costs down, and allow these funds to be diverted to other projects and programs, users should:
- Avoid shooting up the framework used to hold the backstop material and
- Clean up spent cases, remove targets from backstops, keep shooting benches clean and dispose of all other litter.