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:

1. Avoid shooting up the framework used to hold the backstop material and
2. Clean up spent cases, remove targets from backstops, keep shooting benches clean and dispose of all other litter.

​1. Archery ranges are open from sunrise until sunset.

2. Individuals or groups using the range shall be responsible for keeping the area clean and free of debris and may not discard, deposit, leave or throw litter. Targets must be removed and discarded in an appropriate manner after use.

3. Arrows with broadheads may only be utilized on targets designated for broadhead use.

4. Individuals using the range do so at their own risk and assume all respon­sibility for injuries to persons or property caused by or to them.

5. An individual under sixteen (16) years of age may not use the range unless accompanied by a person eighteen (18) years of age or older.

6. When more than one person is using the range, a range officer shall be designated.

7. Individuals may not use the range when it is reserved and being used by an organized group.

8. Ranges may be reserved by organized groups from January 1 through September 1 after making arrangements through the appropriate Pennsyl­vania Game Commission Regional Office at least 20 days in advance and securing the appropriate permit.

9. Designated Pennsylvania Game Commission personnel may close a range by posting signs to that effect. An individual or organized group may not use the range during any period when it is posted as closed.

​1. Rifle and handgun ranges are open from 8:00 AM, prevailing time until sunset Monday through Saturday and from 12 Noon to sunset Sundays, un­less otherwise posted; except the Sunday immediately preceding and any Sunday throughout the duration of the regular firearms deer seasons and regular firearms bear seasons, when the hours shall be 8:00 AM to sunset.

2. Individuals using the range shall be responsible for keeping the area clean and free of debris, may not discard, deposit, leave or throw litter and shall remove targets from range backboards prior to leaving range.

3. The Commission is not responsible for anyone injured on the range.

4. Individuals using the range do so at their own risk and assume all respon­sibility for injuries to persons or property caused by or to them.

5. When more than one person is using the range, a range officer shall be designated.

6. An individual under sixteen (16) years of age may not use the range un­less accompanied by a person eighteen (18) years of age or older.

7. The Regional Director or designee may close the range by posting signs to that effect.