Two of Alabama’s Public Shooting Ranges Temporarily Closed During Federal Shutdown

With the temporary closure of National Parks and Forests in the state, two of Alabama’s public shooting ranges will be closed until the federal government’s budget shutdown is resolved. The South Sandy Shooting Range in the Oakmulgee Wildlife Management Area (WMA) located in the Oakmulgee Ranger District section of the Talladega National Forest and the recently opened Conecuh Shooting Range located in the Conecuh National Forest have been temporarily closed. The two ranges will reopen when the federal shutdown is resolved.

During the temporary closure, the public is encouraged to take advantage of the other public shooting ranges offered as a service of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF).

“As a division of a state agency, the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division is unaffected by the federal shutdown,” said Marisa Futral, WFF Hunter Education Coordinator. “The state’s WMA system will be open for all of the various fall hunting seasons. Only two of the state’s public shooting ranges will be affected by the federal closure. All other public shooting ranges are open, and we encourage shooters to take advantage of them for some preseason shooting.”

Alabama’s extensive system of public shooting ranges offers a variety of shooting opportunities including pistol, shotgun, rifle, archery and more. For a complete list of public shooting ranges, visit www.outdooralabama.com/hunting/education/shooting-ranges.

All other Alabama public lands will remain open during the federal shutdown as well including WMAs, State Parks and those in the state’s Forever Wild Public Land Trust program. To learn more about outdoor recreational opportunities available on Alabama’s public lands, visit www.outdooralabama.com.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com.

Alabama DCNR

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is the state agency responsible for the conservation and management of Alabama's natural resources including state parks, state lands, wildlife and aquatic resources. ADCNR also issues hunting and fishing licenses for the state. The department promotes wise stewardship and enjoyment of the state’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Supporting those divisions are seven support sections: Accounting, Diversity and Recruiting, Engineering, Information and Education, Information Technology, Legal, and Personnel and Payroll.