Local governments can apply for funds to develop, improve or rehabilitate public archery ranges through a program that makes grants of $5,000 to $25,000 available from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

“New archery ranges can be built with this grant, or existing ranges can be upgraded,” said Jay Johnson, DNR hunting recruitment and retention supervisor. “Through this program we hope to grow interest in archery, an activity that’s family friendly and increasingly popular.”

Work to build or improve archery ranges can include grading and site preparation; building backstops and safety berms; purchasing or replacing target frames and targets; installing bow racks and ground quivers; and installing safety signage and other features deemed essential to a safe and functional range. The application deadline is Thursday, Feb. 25, and projects must be completed by June 30, 2017.

The archery grant program, now in its second year, is a response to growing interest in archery and bow hunting. Archery hunting license sales have seen an uptick in recent years. The DNR’s Archery in the Parks programming has been a hit. And hundreds of thousands of Minnesota students have launched arrows at targets through the state’s National Archery in the Schools Program during the past decade.

DNR archery range grants require a dollar-for-dollar match. A total of $100,000 is available until June 30, 2017. All applications will be scored and ranked, with successful applicants announced in March. More information is available on the grants page. Grant application packets can be obtained by contacting Jay Johnson.