Minnesota DNR Unveils New Shooting Rangefinder Web Tool

With the recent growth of shooting sports, particularly In high school and youth leagues, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has created a new web tool to allow individuals to locate shooting ranges across the state.

Approximately 350 shooting ranges throughout the state offer a wide variety of archery and firearms shooting. The previous DNR Range web tool provided limited options for determining what was available at each range.

New Rangefinder the Web This tool provides individuals with information about shooting range activities, equipment, education and hunting opportunities, directions, contact information, and more. Individuals can search for shooting ranges by types of shooting sports and geographic location.

“Shooting sports continue to grow in popularity in Minnesota, and this new web tool will make it easier for people to locate shooting ranges that offer Exactly what they need,” said Chuck Niska, DNR range coordinator.

On January 23, the The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved a conditional use permit to establish a shooting range to operate an outdoor sports park, which will host a variety of shooting ranges, courses and public and private events. The location of the proposed shooting range is on a 360-acre county-owned parcel located approximately nine miles up the Gunflint Trail from Grand Marais on FS 304.

The Flintlock Range Association is leading the shooting range project, which is expected to create a shooting and archery range in Cook County in fall 2024 or spring 2025.