Fall is officially here and archery deer season begins in a week, so stop in at the DNR shooting ranges to perfect your aim for a clean shot. The Ortonville range features a 9 station, 3-D archery range that varies from 12 to 26 yards, with elk, various deer, bear, turkey and coyote targets. We also opened the new 3-D archery range at Sharonville on August 17. Rose Lake and Pontiac Lake ranges have bulls-eye targets as well as 3-D targets.
This is a reminder that we will expand the days open for shooting at the ranges to include Wednesdays, beginning on October 2. During October, the ranges are open six days per week, closed Tuesdays. From November 1-15, the ranges are open daily. The hours at Ortonville and Pontiac Lake are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hours at Rose Lake and Sharonville are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The last shot is fired at 4:45 p.m. Visit the DNR shooting range website at www.michigan.gov/shootingranges for more information.
If you haven’t done so already, try the Mi-HUNT mapping application at www.michigan.gov/mihunt, which contains the most up-to-date information to help you plan your next hunting trip. There’s still time to sign up for a hunter safety class before the firearm deer season, so search for a class close to home or sign up for an online class at www.michigan.gov/huntereducation. Remember, you can purchase hunting and fishing licenses online 24 hours a day. Get outdoors this fall; you’ll love the crisp air and everything Michigan has to offer!
