Shooting Range Development Grants

Shooting Range Development Application Process

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission created the Shooting Range Development Grant Program in 1996 to encourage the development and improvement of shooting ranges and to support their maintenance and operation. Through the program, the Commission supports the Department’s Hunter Education Program, encourages hunters to become more proficient with firearms, promotes safe hunting and shooting practices, provides Arizona residents with safe shooting (including archery) areas, and supports law enforcement training.

FY26 Shooting Range Development Application – Now Available
Grant applications must be postmarked or submitted before 5 p.m., Jan. 15, 2025. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered for grants.

eligibility

Groups such as sportsmen’s clubs and government agencies are eligible to participate. If the applicant is not a government agency, the organization must demonstrate five years of successful range operation. Grants are for shooting ranges providing recreational public shooting. Privately owned and for-profit ranges are not eligible for this program.

how to apply

Applications will be accepted via postal service or through an online application.

To submit you application via the online application use the FY Online Application link below. Online applications are not required to be completed and submitted at one time. Your application can be submitted and later edited. After the application is submitted the user will receive an email. This email will include a link to your application for editing. Applications can be edited until the deadline. All supporting documentation may be uploaded to the online application or sent to mschwartzkopf@azgfd.gov. You can download the supporting documentation and application packet through the links below.

Paper applications must use the forms supplied in the FY Application Packet, and must include all documentation at the time you submit your application. If submitting a paper application one complete color copy of the application and supporting documentation on letter sized 8.5 x 11 paper must be submitted to:
Arizona Game and Fish Department
Statewide Shooting Range Administrator
5000 W. Carefree Highway
Phoenix, AZ 85086

FY26 Application is now available
FY 2026 Application Packet
FY 2026 Online Application

Supporting Documentation

Budget Worksheet
AGFD SHPO Consultation Form
Board Resolution in Support of the Grant Application
Arizona GAO-W9 Form

grant requirements and limitations

1. It is up to the Game and Fish Commission to determine how much money is available each year, but generally the total is $100,000.
2. Grant funds are used to reimburse eligible project expenditures up to 50 percent of the total cost. Grants can be matched with cash, with donated labor and materials, or with land.
3. Projects for development, redevelopment, relocation, noise abatement, improvements and purchases of capital equipment must have an expected useful life of five or more years.
4. Acceptance of a grant requires that the range be made available for Arizona Game and Fish Department Hunter Education activities, hunter recruitment efforts, and activities that support the Archery in the Schools Program and Scholastic Clay Target Program.
5. The range must have a history of operation for at least five years unless owned or managed by a government agency.

grant awards

Grant applications are scored by a panel of Department employees. Final grant awards are determined by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission at it’s May meeting. It is possible for more than one application to be considered worthy of funding, and therefore it is possible that not enough money will be available to fund all projects in a given year. In that case, members of the panel will attempt to reach consensus on the proposals recommended for funding. Applicants who do not receive funding in one grant cycle may be invited to reapply another year.

For more information call the statewide shooting ranges administrator at 623 236-7395.

Arizona Game & fish awarded projects fiscal year 2025

Replace two old trap machines
White Mountian Clay Targets Club, Show Low $3,095

Installation of shade structure at Naranja Park Archery Range
Town of Oro Valley, Oro Valley $25,988

Development of a new archery range
City of Sierra Vista, Sierra Vista $17,500

Range upgrades including security, safety and expanding public opportunities
Town of Gila Bend, Gila Bend $18,700

Total projects funding $65,283

Examples of Eligibility for Grants

Find the information you need before you apply.