Kentucky Fish and Wildlife to open new public shooting range at Veterans Memorial WMA in Scott County

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 16, 2026) — The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will open a new public shooting range at Veterans Memorial Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Scott County on Wednesday, March 18. The newly constructed range will provide safe and affordable shooting opportunities for hunters and shooting enthusiasts in central Kentucky.

“Hunting and shooting sports continue to grow but shooters, especially those in urban areas, might not have many options near them where they can practice shooting and sight-in their firearms," said Rich Storm, commissioner for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “We decided years ago that we were going to find the funding to build a modern public shooting range in the heart of central Kentucky, and that vision has now come together at Veterans Memorial WMA."

The majority of the $4.7 million project was federally funded through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, utilizing a program specifically established for the construction and expansion of public target ranges.

The outdoor gun range features 20 shooting lanes in two structures. One structure houses 10 lanes designed for shooting up to 100 yards and another structure houses 10 lanes designed for shooting up to 50 yards, both with a concrete firing-line pad and a limestone-sand range floor. The firing line is covered to allow for use during various weather conditions. All 20 lanes are ADA-accessible, although placing or removing targets may require assistance.

The lanes feature target stands and backers at fixed-yard intervals from five to 100 yards depending on lane length. A safety officer and a warning light system will indicate when the firing line is active or “hot," and an advanced overhead baffle system has been designed to keep errant shots contained within the range site. The shooting range is designed to be used with single-projectile firearms. Fully automatic firearms will not be allowed.

The shooting range will be open to the public year-round, beginning with a schedule of Tuesdays-Saturdays, 9 a.m. to sunset, and Sundays, noon to sunset. The range will be closed on Mondays and will be closed annually for a deer quota hunt.

The range complex also includes a new education building that will be used to host hunting and fishing classes, meetings, youth programs and other events. It also includes office space for agency staff.

The range will be operated and supervised by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife staff to ensure safe and proper use of the facility. Range rules will be posted by signage at the range and users must sign a waiver of liability and acknowledge that they have read and will comply with all the rules.

A shooting range permit is now required to use firearms and archery equipment at any department managed, leased or affiliated shooting ranges. The permit is free for Kentucky residents and non-residents ages 16 and older who hold an annual Kentucky hunting or fishing license. Qualifying license holders must check a separate box in their license profile to obtain the permit, as it is not automatically included. For those without an annual hunting or fishing license, the shooting range permit costs $26.43 for an annual permit for the license year, or $5.29 for a one-day permit. Youth 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

“The project to build a shooting range at Veterans Memorial WMA has been in development for more than five years and underwent several design iterations before construction," Storm said. “The completed facility provides a durable, long-term shooting range designed to safely serve the public for many years to come."

Located in Scott County just north of Georgetown along Interstate 75, Veterans Memorial WMA features almost 3,000 acres with hardwood forests, shrublands, grasslands and a pond to support numerous game species and migratory birds. The WMA is owned and managed by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife and was recently expanded by 500 acres along the northern boundary of the property.

For maps, regulations and more information, visit the Veterans Memorial WMA webpage or visit the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website at fw.ky.gov and type in Veterans Memorial WMA in the search bar on the top right of the page. Shooters can also search for ranges on the Shooting Ranges webpage or find a public or private range nearest them using the interactive Kentucky Shooting Ranges map.

For questions, the public may contact the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Information Center at 800-858-1549 or info.center@ky.gov, weekdays 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (EDT), except holidays.

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