The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has issued $823,359 in a second round of trap range grants to 29 facilities across the state as part of a statewide effort to promote the development and enhancement of trap-shooting facilities.
There were 26 small trap range grants approved for funding totaling $323,627. Three grants larger than $25,000 were also approved for funding totaling $499,732. That compares to 41 small trap range grants totaling $400,000 last year. Small grants range from $2,500 to $25,000, while large grants begin at $25,000.
The Minnesota Legislature last year authorized more than $2 million for matching grants to recreational shooting clubs for developing or rehabilitating trap shooting sports facilities for public use, with an emphasis on enhancing youth participation opportunities.
“We funded a lot of worthy projects from the first two rounds of grants,” said Chuck Niska, DNR shooting range program coordinator. “We still have approximately $1 million remaining for round three as well.”
Development of the grants program follows a significant rise in youth trap shooting, especially by high school students who are part of a statewide league. Existing trap ranges sometimes struggle to meet demand.
“This program aims to increase opportunities for youth trap shooters, youth trap teams and adult shooters,” said Niska.
The next round of grant applications will be announced this summer. Here is a list of the latest awarded grants:
Small trap range grants:
Agate Bay Gun Club, $4,206
Albany Sportsmen’s Club, $7,510
Becker County Sportsmen’s Club, $3,435
Cripple Creek Outdoors, $25,000
Evavold Investments Dalton Outdoors, $18,695
Forest Lake Sportsmen’s Club, $4,899
Fosston Sportsmen’s Club, $25,000
Hardwood County Sportsmen’s Club, $6,650
Hasty Silver Creek, $2,500
Head of the Red Trap Club, $3,129
Henning Range, $25,000
Montgomery Sportsmen’s Club, $3,099
Morristown Gun Club, $24,648
Northland Range & Gun Club, $10,560
Owatonna Gun Club, $18,277
Pelican River Shooting Club, $4,893
Pine Island White Pine SC, $8,381
Plummer Area Sportsmen’s Club, $12,000
Shooters Sporting Clays, $24,622
Silver Beaver Rifle and Pistol Club, $5,184
Tri-County Sportsmen’s Club, $25,000
Warroad Lost River Sportsmen’s Complex, $12,497
Wells Rifle and Pistol Club, $15,435
Wild Rice Conservation Club, $6,500
Willmar Trap Club, $11,500
Winona Sportsmen’s Club, $15,007
Large trap range grants:
Northland Regional Shooting Sports Park, $419,732
Delano Sportsman’s Club, $30,000
Minneapolis Gun Club, $50,000
http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/2015/04/16/dnr-awards-more-trap-range-grants/#more-16223