The Department of Environmental Protection announced today that the Glastonbury Shooting Range will re-open for supervised public use starting Saturday, April 14, 2007. The range is located within the Meshomasic State Forest off of Toll Gate Road in Glastonbury and has been closed for the winter period. Following extensive renovations completed in 2004, the range has been open during limited weekend hours for the past two seasons. The range will remain open through November 25, 2007 and will be staffed by seasonal DEP employees that are certified range safety officers.

Hours of operation will be from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays only. There is no fee to use the range. The range will be closed to public use during all other times and DEP Environmental Conservation Police officers will strictly enforce hours of operation. Reservations can be made by contacting the DEP Eastern District Headquarters in Marlborough at (860) 295-9523, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 p.m. Callers may make single time slot reservations for themselves and not more than one other person at any one time. A total of ten covered shooting positions are available during two time periods: 10:00 am – noon and noon – 2:00 p.m. Shooting position assignments will be made at the discretion of the range safety officer. Target stands will be provided at 25, 50, 75 and 100-yard distances, but shooters must supply their own targets and stapler or tape for target placement. Only paper targets will be allowed and shooters should be reminded to bring eye and ear protection, which will be required. Rifles, shotguns, pistols and muzzleloading rifles may be used, however fully automatic weapons are not permitted. The site is handicapped accessible, with a specially designed shooting bench for wheelchair access and includes portable sanitary facilities. Walk-in shooters are welcome and will be accommodated for unreserved positions or as space becomes available. The range may be closed due to severe weather and staffing availability.

Federal funding for site improvements, range equipment and seasonal staffing is provided through Connecticut’s Conservation Education/Firearms Safety Program. Federal funds available to the states through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (commonly referred to as the Pittman-Robertson Act), are derived from a federal excise tax on firearms, ammunition and archery equipment. Connecticut receives a special allocation of federal funding that can be used for the construction, operation, maintenance and enhancement of public target and shooting ranges.