Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the Glastonbury Shooting Range is scheduled to open for supervised public use on Saturdays and Sundays beginning Saturday, April 1 and remaining open through November 26. The range is located within the Meshomasic State Forest off of Toll Gate Road in Glastonbury, and supervision will be by DEEP certified range safety officers.

Reservations must be obtained through DEEP’s Online Sportsmen Licensing System (www.ct.gov/deep/sportsmenlicensing) for shooters 18 and older beginning Monday, March 27 at 12:01 AM for Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2 and on the Monday prior to the weekends in the future. You must have a CT Conservation ID number in order to access the online system and make a reservation. 

The range will be CLOSED on April 15-16, September 16, and October 8, 2017.    

If you are unable to make a reservation online, requests can also be made one week in advance by calling the DEEP Glastonbury Range Reservation Line at 860-424-3737. Callers may make a single position and time slot reservation, which will be valid for up to three shooters in the same party. If making a reservation by phone, you must provide your full name, daytime contact information, town of residence, the specific day and range time period, and the names and town of residence of your guests. All requests will be confirmed by a call back from DEEP staff within 2-3 business days. Requests with incomplete information will not be accepted. Reservations are no longer being accepted through email.

Shotgun Patterning for Turkey Hunters: Special access provisions will be made for hunters for the upcoming spring turkey season. On the weekends of April 8-9 and April 22-23, one additional shooting bench will be held for walk-in shooters who show a valid 2017 Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp.

Reservations Needed to Use Range: Range hours of operation will be from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM on most Saturdays and Sundays only. The range will be closed to public use during all other times and DEEP Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police officers will strictly enforce hours of operation. There is no fee to use the range.

More detailed information, new range rules for 2017, and directions are available on the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/deep/hunting, select “Shooting Ranges” under the 2017 Hunting Season menu.

Due to high demand, only one time slot per shooter is available during each weekend and shooters may not make more than two reservations per month or use the range through the reservation system more than twice a month. There is no restriction, however, on the number of days an individual may use the range on a walk-in basis.

A total of 10 covered shooting positions are available during two time periods: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM. New this year – all individuals with a reservation must arrive and check in NO LATER THAN 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE START OF THE SHOOTING SESSION. All shooters will be required to show proof of prior firearms training, such as a Connecticut Conservation Education/Firearms Safety (CE/FS) certificate, firearms hunting license, pistol permit, police credentials, or military identification. Those who cannot produce such qualifications must be directly supervised by a qualified person at all times. 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 are allowed and shooters are reminded to bring eye and ear protection, which will be required at all times. Rifles, shotguns, pistols, and muzzleloading rifles may be used. No firearms capable of fully automatic fire (i.e., "machine gun") of any kind are permitted on the range. The site is handicapped accessible, with a specially designed shooting bench for wheelchair access, and includes portable sanitary facilities. Walk-in shooters will be accommodated for unreserved positions or as space becomes available. The range may be closed due to severe weather and staffing availability.

Connecticut’s Conservation Education/Firearms Safety Program receives funding for site improvements, range equipment, and seasonal staffing through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program. Under the Federal Aid program, sportsmen pay an excise fee on firearms, ammunition and archery equipment. The funds are then distributed to the states for wildlife management and research, habitat acquisition, and hunter education programs.