AKRON, OH- Public shooting ranges operated by the State of Ohio are located statewide, allowing hunters to practice their shooting skills for the upcoming season.  In northeast Ohio, six different counties including Harrison, Jefferson, Medina, Portage, and Trumbull offer rifle, pistol, shotgun, or archery ranges.

Ranges are classified by the type of facilities offered and whether they are supervised.  A class “A” range requires a shooting range permit for all persons 18 years and older. Shooters age 17 and under are not required to purchase a permit, but must be accompanied by and directly monitored by an adult (age 18 years or older) holding a valid shooting range permit. This permit, available at all hunting and fishing license outlets, partially offsets the cost of the shooting range attendant, restroom facilities, maintenance, trash removal, and improvements.

In northeast Ohio, only the Grand River Wildlife Area range in Trumbull County is a class “A” range. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Wednesday through Sunday. Hours of operation for other class “A” ranges may vary, however all are closed every Monday and Tuesday as well as the following dates: Easter, Memorial Day, July 4^th, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day (also closed all of January and February).

The remaining ranges are class “B, C, and D” ranges. These ranges are open free-of-charge, no permit is required, and no range attendant or restroom facilities are provided. Archery ranges are open seven days a week, sunrise to sunset. Shooters should note that the clay target shotgun range at Killbuck Marsh Wild Area in Wayne County is currently closed for maintenance. No further details are currently available.

Harrison State Forest in Harrison County and Fernwood State Forest in Jefferson County both offer class “O” shooting ranges which are operated by the ODNR Division of Forestry.

The annual shooting range permit is $24.00 and allows the permit holder to access Class “A” ranges throughout the year. A one-day shooting range permit is $5.00 and allows permit holder to access a Class “A” range for one visit (the permit is valid only once). These permits partially offset the cost of the shooting range attendant, restroom facilities, maintenance, trash removal, and improvements.

Other ranges, owned and operated by a wide variety of organizations are also available throughout northeast Ohio. Contact Wildlife District Three at (330) 644-2293 for more information on other ranges in your county. 

NOTE: All ranges are subject to closing during inclement weather or flooding conditions. Range users are advised to contact the range number provided or call the District Three office at (330) 644-2293 for range conditions. Click here for more information on public shooting ranges