Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Public Shooting Opportunities

Rifle Marksmanship

State Shooting Ranges

Trap or target shooting on any state property or public hunting area is prohibited unless the area is a designated shooting range. Four state-owned public shooting ranges are available for target shooting, patterning shotguns, and sighting in rifles.

Glastonbury Public Shooting Range - Meshomasic State Forest, Glastonbury. Entry at Toll Gate Road. Paper targets only, clay targets not allowed. No range fees. Reservations required. 

High Rock Cooperative Shooting Range - Naugatuck State Forest, Naugatuck. Operated by the High Rock Shooting Association, Inc. Range hours: Saturday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm; Sunday, 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm (check website for scheduled closures). Range fee: $5.00 for the first hour and $5.00 per hour thereafter. No clay targets allowed. State pistol permit required to shoot handguns. Call 203-720-1101 or check the High Rock Shooting Association website for information. 

The Nye Holman State Forest Field Archery Range in Tolland will be CLOSED TO ALL TARGET SHOOTING as it will be undergoing major repairs beginning July 18, 2024. This range closure will not affect the ability to secure youth group camping permits through DEEP's Eastern District Headquarters. Any questions regarding the project can be directed to deep.shenipsit@ct.gov

Wooster Mountain State Park Cooperative Shooting Range - Wooster Mountain State Park, Danbury. Operated by the Danbury Shooting Sports Association. Located on Route 7, approximately two miles south of the Danbury Mall. Clay target shooting available. Call 203-794-9821 or check the Wooster Mountain Shooting Range website for the daily time and fee schedule.

Private Shooting Ranges

The following ranges are private sporting clubs and offer limited opportunity for the public with requirements varying by location. The DEEP is not always aware of hours of availability, costs, and/or requirements. Please contact the operator directly with any questions.

If your club/range offers public shooting hours you would like reflected here, please email DEEP.FranklinWildlife@ct.gov.

Branford Gun Club - 40 Red Hill Rd., Branford. Open to the public Sunday 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM and Wednesday 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM. See www.branfordgunclub.com/public-announements for details.

Manchester Sportsmen's Association - 612 Merrow Rd., Coventry. Open to the public Wednesday 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM and Sunday at 10:00 AM for Skeet and Trap fields. Email msactweb@gmail.com or visit msa-ct.com for fees, requirements, and other information.

Metropolitan Shooters, Inc. - 281 Garden Grove Rd. Manchester. Indoor pistol range open to the public Saturdays 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM from September through May. See http://www.msi-ct.org/ for details.

Ramapoo Rifle and Revolver Club Inc. - 60 South Street. Ridgefield. Open to the public Mondays 7:00 pm-10:00 pm. Ridgefield residents pay $10, all other non-members $15, payment by cash or check. See ramapoo.com for details.

Content last updated in July 2024.