This project will help state wildlife agencies better understand the opportunities to build additional public shooting ranges using excise tax funds.activities to be performed this project will…

This project will help state wildlife agencies better understand the opportunities to build additional public shooting ranges using excise tax funds.activities to be performed this project will organize and provide critical range development and maintenance resources and services through one comprehensive, cooperative effort between states and industry. The results will help states develop new range capacity in areas of greatest demand, TAP into financial and range design expertise and resources, and support target shooting participation to higher levels which in turns provides greater resources for wildlife and habitat conservation.expected deliverables or outcomes 1. Demonstrate how states can identify areas where target shooting demand is under served.2. Effectively transfer all findings to states.3. Engage with at least five (5) states to identify questions and topics necessary for inclusion.4. Help states make the case for expanded target shooting opportunities.5. Increase understanding of the new target practice and marksmanship training support act.6. Provide case studies that identify and explain partnering and financial resources states can access toincrease shooting opportunities.intended beneficiaries participation in target shooting has increased 65 percent, from 34 million in 2009 to 56 million participants in 2020 (nssf). Youth organizations are reporting record participation in shooting sports. The recent surge in participation and firearm sales has left many first time owners with nowhere to shoot. These issues have led to many people being turned away from ranges while others DON t have convenient range options. By combining states and industry experience into one comprehensive and cooperative effort, states can better expand public target shooting opportunities.subrecipient activities contractor, southwick associates will assist with the states survey plus will conduct the GIS demand assessment based on their previous efforts that pioneered locating shooting demand.