Glastonbury Shooting Range Set to Re-Open April 2

GLASTONBURY, CT - The Glastonbury Shooting Range is set to re-open for the season on Saturday, April 2, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), which supervises the facility.

Located within the Meshomasic State Forest off of Toll Gate Road, the range will be open for public use on Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 27, and Reservations must be obtained through DEEP’s Online Sportsmen Licensing System (www.ct.gov/deep/sportsmenlicensing).

Shooters must be 18 years old or older, and reservations must be made on the Monday prior to the weekend in question. A Connecticut Conservation ID number is required in order to access the online system and make a reservation.

If making a reservation online is not possible, 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. The following must be provided to make a phone reservation: full name, daytime contact information, town of residence, the specific day and range time period, and the names and town of residence of 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, according to officials.

The following information is from DEEP's announcement:

Shotgun Patterning for Turkey Hunters:Special access provisions will be made for hunters for the upcoming spring turkey season. On the weekends of April 16-17 and April 23-24, one additional shooting bench will be held for walk-in shooters who show a valid 2016 spring firearms turkey permit.

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, range rules, and directions are available on the DEEP website atwww.ct.gov/deep/hunting , select “Shooting Ranges” under the 2016 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 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m... 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; however, fully automatic weapons are not permitted. 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.