On Target: Celebrating National Shooting Sports Month

Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife photo.

Did you know that August is National Shooting Sports Month? This month recognizes shooting sports as a fun, safe activity enjoyed by millions of Americans, and helps connect newcomers to the sport with resources and opportunities to get started.

National Shooting Sports Month is a time to celebrate and enjoy shooting sports across the nation. The latest data from the National Shooting Sports Foundation shows 60 million Americans participate in target shooting and that millions more are interested in trying target shooting. Among these numbers, there has been a large increase in female, Black, and Hispanic participants, according to the Council to Advance Hunting and Shooting Sports (CAHSS). People participate in target shooting for various reasons, but recreation and hunting practice are the top two, according to the Outdoor Foundation and CAHSS.

Just as hunters’ dollars support conservation through excise taxes on firearms and ammunition, so does recreational shooters’ spending. The Pittman-Robertson Act places an excise tax on all firearms and ammunition to support conservation efforts, firearm range development, and hunter education programs. With millions of recreational shooters in the United States, their purchases of firearms, archery equipment, and ammunition support wildlife opportunities for future generations and contribute to greater firearm safety practices along with new recreational shooting opportunities for all Americans.

Approximately 4.5% of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget is derived from Pittman-Robertson excise taxes paid by recreational shooters, professional firearm users, and hunters alike. These funds help pay for wildlife habitat restoration, land acquisition for wildlife and recreation, and wildlife management for game species and species listed as threatened or endangered.

R3: Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation

Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife photo.

WDFW is focusing efforts on hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) to support our outdoor heritage and address declines in hunting participation by helping people get started or continue hunting. Pittman-Robertson funds contribute to the success of WDFW’s R3 program, which teaches new and existing hunters skills like hunting a new species, preparing harvested game, trying a new season or apparatus type, and working on shooting skills to be more ethical in the field. WDFW works closely with many partners who are also focused on helping people get out and enjoy Washington’s rich hunting heritage. The Department’s Hunting and Angling Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation (R3) Plan details our efforts. For more information on hunter education courses, hunting clinics, and other hunting resources, visit WDFW’s hunting education and requirements webpage.

Where can I target shoot in Washington?

Sheep Company Road shooting range on WDFW’s Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area. WDFW photo.

There are many target shooting ranges available for firearm and archery target shooting. Visit wheretoshoot.org, shooting.org, waguns.org, or rangeservices.nra.org to find a range near you.

You can also target shoot on public lands managed by WDFW, the Washington Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Forest Service, or the Bureau of Land Management. Be sure to follow all applicable rules and regulations when visiting public lands.

WDFW-managed land is open to recreational target shooting unless closed or otherwise restricted by any Department-posted signage or notice. WDFW develops recreational target shooting ranges on some managed lands, with the goal of enhancing public safety while addressing habitat issues associated with concentrated use. Formal target shooting ranges are located on the Chelan, Methow, Shillapoo, Sunnyside-Snake River, and Wenas wildlife areas.

Responsible target shooting

In 2021, WDFW updated its target shooting rule that applies when target shooting on WDFW-managed lands outside of developed target shooting ranges.

The following rules apply when target shooting on WDFW-managed lands and are best practice when shooting on other public lands outside of established shooting ranges. These rules protect public safety, wildlife habitat, and help ensure WDFW can continue to allow this activity on Department-managed lands now and in the future.

· Use an unobstructed earthen backstop at least eight feet high that stops all projectiles and ricochets. Shoot into the bottom half of the backstop.

· Shoot only during daylight hours (30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset).

· Shoot only when there are no people, animals, or structures beyond your target.

· Do not shoot from, across, along, or down roads, trails, or waterways.

· Only use targets and stands made for target shooting.

· Do not shoot at trees, vegetation, or natural formations.

· Tracer rounds and exploding targets are not allowed. To reduce the risk of fire, steel targets are allowed for dispersed target shooting only from Oct. 1 to May 31.

· Leave no trace. Take all shells, brass, paper, stands, and trash with you.

· Check for additional local restrictions at your intended target shooting site before you go.

For more information, please visit WDFW’s target shooting website.

Secure firearm storage is important, both at home and during your travels to and from the range. WDFW’s hunter education classes and video resources are valuable tools to help you be safe while storing, handling, and transporting a firearm.

Be aware of wildfire danger

Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife photo.

As the number of people recreating on public lands increases each year, it is important for all visitors to have an extra level of awareness about wildfire risk and recreating responsibly outdoors.

Seasonal target shooting restrictions due to wildfire risk are common, especially in Eastern Washington. For wildfire information on WDFW-managed lands, including applicable fire restrictions, please WDFW’s wildfire information webpage.

Fires have occurred on WDFW-managed lands from the use of tracer bullets/shells, incendiary ammunition, and exploding targets. Tracer bullets contain a pyrotechnic charge which burns when discharged, presenting a high fire risk. It is illegal to discharge tracer bullets/shells or incendiary ammunition on WDFW-managed lands. Exploding targets are also prohibited on WDFW-managed lands.

Environmental considerations

Don’t do this! Pack it in, Pack it out. Photo by Alan Bauer.

WDFW develops site-specific environmental stewardship plans for Department-designated recreational target shooting areas. These plans address several environmental concerns, including environmental concerns related to the use of lead ammunition.

There may be non-toxic ammunition requirements and/or special restrictions in places open to target shooting; make sure to consult any applicable regulations before heading out.

Be a good neighbor; please pick up and remove your shell casings, shotgun hulls, ammunition packaging, and targets or target debris. This maintains the shooting area for the next user, helps balance multiple visitors use on the landscape, and protects the environment from litter and debris. Using these practices also helps with the image of recreational shooting, along with keeping these spaces open and available for the use and enjoyment of firearm users.

National Hunting and Fishing Day

Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife photo.

This year, WDFW is hosting its annual free National Hunting and Fishing Day celebration on Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Cowlitz Public Shooting Range near Castle Rock. This is a great opportunity for youth to learn target shooting and many other activities related to hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation. Visit WDFW’s National Hunting and Fishing Day webpage for details.