Northern Arizona Shooting Range design receives unanimous approval

PHOENIX —The Arizona Game and Fish Commission, today, unanimously approved the master site plan for the future Northern Arizona Shooting Range.

“Approval of the site design is a huge step towards filling the more than 40 year void for a designated shooting venue in Northern Arizona,” said Chief of Shooting Ranges for Game and Fish, Jay Cook.

The design approved reflects slight modifications from the draft presented to the public at the open house last week where more than 100 persons attended, providing 55 comments on the plan. Public input from that meeting resulted in increasing the archery range from 50 yards to 100 yards.

The other significant change was to the 800-yard long distance rifle range which is now oriented to true north with lateral safety and sound berming on each side of the range. Although more costly, these changes were made based on input from competitive long-range shooters and sound concerns from Walnut Canyon National Monument.

Cook added, “With the approved plan, we can now begin to address the details of the range and develop a safe shooting range on the Foster Ranch site that is compatible with other public uses and values in the area.”

The range will be developed in stages over the next couple of years based on funding, resources, weather conditions, and many other factors. To keep up-to-date on the progress of the range, visit www.azgfd.gov/nazsr.

Game and Fish receives no tax dollars from the state’s general fund and operates under a user-pay, user-benefit model. The property was purchased and will be developed through the sale of licenses to hunters and anglers. A $3 surcharge is imposed on hunting and fishing licenses to acquire, construct, renovate, or improve Game and Fish facilities. The fund for the development of the Northern Arizona Shooting Range was established beginning in 2001.

-30-