Syracuse.com - Baldwinsville Rod and Gun Club among those tapping into DEC grant program

[HuntingNY-News]

The grants are going to 13 shooting ranges to revitalize and improve their operations and public access and promote the responsible use of firearms.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation announced this week grants totaling nearly $135,000 that will go to shooting ranges across the state to revitalize and improve their operations and public access and promote the responsible use of firearms.

A total of 13 ranges will receive money, including the Baldwinsville Rod and Gun Club, which is getting $9,573 for "rifle and handgun range improvements for shooters with disabilities."

The grants will further efforts "to develop familiarity with firearms and archery proficiency necessary for safe and ethical hunting, while promoting the careful use of firearms and archery equipment," DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said in a press release. "Ranges are key outlets to help develop necessary firearms and archery skills to promote the responsible use of equipment before heading out to the field."

Funding for the program will come from the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration program, based on a federal tax on firearms and ammunition made available to state fish and wildlife agencies for their sportsman education activities.

This year, DEC solicited applications up to $15,000 for range improvement projects. Each successful applicant provided a match of at least 25 percent of the total project. These grants allow recipients to enhance their existing ranges or to build new facilities, including ranges, storage units, accessible restrooms, roads, parking areas and hunter education classrooms.

In addition to the Baldwinsville club, the DEC awarded grants to the following organizations:

(Includes organization, county, amount and how money will be used)

- Freeport Revolver and Rifle Association, Nassau County, $15,000. "American Disabilities Act compliance and drainage on outdoor 25-yard range."

-Tonawanda Sportsmen's Club, Niagara County, $15,000, "Replace safety shot screen on trap and skeet fields and post safety signs."

- Seneca Waterways Council, BSA, Seneca County, $15,000. "Construct a shooting platform for archery and BB gun range."

- Painted Post Field and Stream Club, , Steuben County, $15,000. "Construct a ground level/elevated archery range."

- Tioga County Sportsmen's Association, Tioga County, $15,000. "Convert an outdoor pavilion into an enclosed heated structure."

-Hawkeye Bowmen Inc., Erie County, $11,366. "Improve clubhouse infrastructure."

-Milford Fish and Game Club, Otsego County, $8,542. "Drill water well and connect it to the clubhouse."

- Sprite Club, Fulton County, $6,958. "Construct a 100-yard rifle range."

- Middleburgh Rod and Gun Club, Schoharie County, $6,956. "Replace trap machine."

-Lima Gun Club, Livingston County, $6,732. "Upgrade rifle/pistol range access road, handicap access of range house and upgrade lighting."

- Constableville Fish and Game Club, Lewis County, $4,988. "Renovate exterior of clubhouse."

- Old Hickory Long Gun of Newark Valley Historical Society, Tioga County, $4,650. "Construct a shooting shelter and storage shed."

The 2014 Shooting Range Small Grants Program application will be available March 1.

For the most updated information on the goals and eligible projects within the program and to obtain the program guidelines and application packet, visit the "Shooting Range Small Grants Program" page on DEC's website at dec.ny.gov.

For more, contact Cornell Cooperative Extension's Melissa Bailey at [email protected] or call 315-793-2515.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog