To have safe available and environmentally sound public shooting ranges for sportsmen and women to learn practice and improve shooting skills to be ethical safe and knowledgeable hunters

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior awarded the Idaho Department of Fish and Game a Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety (CFDA 15.611) formula grant totaling $264,224.00, effective July 2, 2025, with a completion date of June 30, 2027. This award supports the operation, improvement, and maintenance of public shooting range facilities in Idaho designed to provide sportsmen and women with safe, environmentally sound venues to learn, practice, and improve shooting skills. The grant funds comprehensive range operations including hunter education, bowhunter training, and outdoor skills courses, as well as associated student amenities such as bathrooms, classrooms, and instructor facilities.

A subaward issued January 13, 2026, designated $264,224.00 in funding to support the purchase of nine clay throwers, equipment essential to the practical shooting instruction and training activities conducted at the state's range facilities. Through this formula grant program, Idaho Department of Fish and Game advances hunter safety and education initiatives while maintaining critical infrastructure that supports the state's wildlife restoration and hunter education mission.

Existing shooting range grounds and facilities will be operated improved and maintained to meet this need. Range facilities are used to conduct hunter bowhunter and outdoor skills courses and provide student amenities such as bathrooms classrooms and instructor facilities as needed at ranges.