Permit Needed now to use Pa firing ranges (Harrisburg, Archbald: roofing, upkeep)

[Riverside4ever]

It'll cost ya $30 bucks to use them now .


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Most people who want to use one of Pennsylvania's 29 public shooting ranges on state gamelands now need a $30 permit or a current general hunting or furtaking license.
The state Game Commission on Friday announced the rules were imposed after upgrades were made to the ranges including lead remediation and safety barriers.
Permits are available through the Game Commission's website, at agency headquarters in Harrisburg or at six regional offices. Monroe County's range is in State Gameland No. 127. off Route 423, and Pike County's is in State Gameland No. 183 off Route 6.

[mathjak107]

its still a great deal. it just makes it inconvieniant when the kids or friends come up and you want to shoot.

[Trucker7]

I read the regulation, and you're allowed to bring one guest with you. If the money is used for the upkeep of the ranges, then I'm all for it. For $30, it is still a good deal.

State Game Lands

Exceptions to this new permit requirement are those 15 years of age and younger properly accompanied by a licensed or permitted person 18 years of age or older. Each licensed hunter or range permit holder may have one guest.

[DowntownHarrisburg]

Originally Posted by Riverside4ever

It'll cost ya $30 bucks to use them now .

I don't really have a problem with this. It costs money to patrol & maintain those ranges. You've got these back-mountain whack-jobs sniping shooters and murdering wardens, so look for an increased enforcement effort by the wardens. That requires money. And even though I have a nice membership with an indoor range, there's still something to be said for being outdoors.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by floor9

You've got these back-mountain whack-jobs sniping shooters and murdering wardens, so look for an increased enforcement effort by the wardens.

This permit is going to prevent a lot of non hunters from using them since they won't want to cough up the $30, that is probably the intention.

[DowntownHarrisburg]

Originally Posted by thecoalman

This permit is going to prevent a lot of non hunters from using them since they won't want to cough up the $30, that is probably the intention.

I'm sure you're right. But since the game commission is mostly funded by licenses anyway, and since they're the ones doing the upkeep / patrol on these ranges, well ... I really have a hard time getting worked up over it.

[ki0eh]

They are pretty expensive to maintain due to needing to collect and dispose of all that lead. Could save $10 (currently) by obtaining a hunting license and then using the rangs. Of course you do need to pass a hunter safety course first but that is also a very good idea.

[DowntownHarrisburg]

Originally Posted by ki0eh

Of course you do need to pass a hunter safety course first but that is also a very good idea.

I'm a firm believer that there's no such thing as "too much training" when it comes to shooting.

[weluvpa]

Ok then if they are for "hunters" then why have a pistol range?

I hunt and well I think that the state gets plenty money from the licenses for this that they need not collect more and if they are going to do this then they better start putting wood back up as the target backers in Archbald.

What about the local police depts that use the ranges to qualify and then DESTROY them and walk away? I have watched countless PD's use the Archblad pistol range for their shotgun, rifle and pistol quals and they level the backers and leave it that way.

Personally they do more damage to the ranges then the citizens.

When I was at the range 3 times a week or more I would upkeep the pistol range at Archbald out of pocket by replacing the OSB wood backers with leftovers from roofing jobs so that the range was always in good shape when I went to shoot, until I watched a local PD level the boards 1 day after I installed all new wood right in front of me with their 12ga shotguns on the pistol range.

When I commented on why they would do that, I was told they were allowed to do it because they were police. I laughed at the Lt. in charge and told him that he owed me $35 for the wood, I turned them into the state and followed up on it, I was told that they(PD's) were required to replace what they destroyed. To date I have only seen one local PD come to the range with pre-cut backers to put up when they were done.

[DowntownHarrisburg]

Originally Posted by weluvpa

Personally they do more damage to the ranges then the citizens.

If you have proof that the ranges are being destroyed, go to the Game Commission and complain.