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The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced that the Glastonbury Shooting Range is scheduled to re-open for supervised public use starting Saturday, May 9, 2009. The range is located within the Meshomasic State Forest off of Toll Gate Road in Glastonbury and has been closed for the winter period. Following extensive renovations completed in 2004, the range has been open during limited weekend hours for the past four seasons. The range will remain open through November 29, 2009 and will be staffed by seasonal DEP employees that are certified range safety officers.
Hours of operation will be from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays only. There is no fee to use the range. The range will be closed to public use during all other times and DEP Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police officers will strictly enforce hours of operation. Reservations can be made by contacting the DEP Eastern District Headquarters in Marlborough at (860) 295-9523, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:30 p.m. Callers may make a single position and time slot reservation. Reservation requests cannot be left on voice mail or by e-mail. Due to high demand, only one time slot per shooter is available during each weekend. A total of ten covered shooting positions are available during two time periods: 10:00 am – 12 noon and 12 noon – 2:00 p.m.
Shooters who cannot produce 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 will only be allowed to shoot under the direct supervision of 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 will be allowed and shooters should be reminded to bring eye and ear protection, which will be required at all times.
Rifles, shotguns, pistols and muzzle loading 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. More detailed information, range rules and directions are available on the DEP website at www.ct.gov/dep/hunting , once there, select "Target and Trap Shooting" under the 2009 Hunting Season menu.
Federal funding for site improvements, range equipment and seasonal staffing is provided through Connecticut's Conservation Education/Firearms Safety Program. Federal funds available to the states through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (commonly referred to as the Pittman-Robertson Act), are derived from a federal excise tax on firearms, ammunition and archery equipment.
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