The Pennsylvania Game Commission reported that a pilot shooting‑range improvement program awarded $360,000 to 12 projects last year and will expand for a second year with $500,000 available statewide.

Commission staff told commissioners that the program reimburses or pays for range infrastructure work—backstops, trap and sporting‑clays equipment, shooting lanes and covered facilities—primarily at sportsmen’s clubs with aging infrastructure. “This grant started last year. We ran a pilot program for the agency and we’re gonna give a little update about how the pilot year went,” a commission staff member said during the April 11 meeting.

The pilot awarded funds to two projects in each of the commission’s six regions, chosen from 46 applications. Projects funded in 2024 included upgrades to trap throwers and sporting‑clays equipment at Calvis Rod & Gun Club (Northwest), backstop reconstruction at Oil City Isaac Walton League (Venango County), a new shotgun facility planned by South Connellsville Rod and Gun Club (Fayette County), lead remediation and new rifle backstops at Hopewell Fish and Game (York County), upgrades to trap houses in Susquehanna County, and new classroom space at Valley View Gun Club (Schuylkill County). The staff presentation included photos showing completed thrower installations and a building under roof at Valley View.

Officials said the program is funded from the Game Fund under state law (referred to at the meeting as “Act 30 or Title 34”), which authorizes use of game‑fund dollars for activities that promote public interest in recreational hunting. Staff also noted that many clubs supplement grants with private‑sector support from organizations such as Safari Club International, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the NRA, Whitetails Unlimited and Ducks Unlimited.

For 2025, the commission will open applications April 1 with a June 1 deadline and notify awardees by July 1. The staff described three substantive changes to the program: the statewide pool will increase from $360,000 to $500,000; the commission will fund a maximum of 10 projects (down from 12); and each region will be guaranteed at least one award and capped at three awards. A three‑member committee appointed by the commission will score applications; the final score for each applicant will be the average of three reviewers’ scores.

Commission staff framed the grants as investments in public safety and long‑term conservation funding that depends on license and equipment sales. “Many clubs across the state are in need of renovations and safety upgrades, and these improvements are an investment in our future and generations of hunters and shooters to come in the Commonwealth,” the staff member said.

Commissioners asked whether the commission helps unsuccessful applicants seek other funding; staff said the commission connects clubs with conservation and sporting groups and provided an example where a local Safari Club chapter contributed $6,000 toward an educational building that rounded out a grant. Staff also said projects already funded are progressing quickly in some cases, with new throwers already installed at several clubs.

The commission did not take any formal vote during the report; staff said the program’s application and award timeline and scoring procedures will guide the second‑year awards.

Looking ahead, staff said outreach and interest have increased: as of the presentation multiple phone inquiries and several early applications had already been received after the April 1 opening. The commission’s stated intention is to maintain safety, increase public programming at clubs and support clubs that host youth and high‑school shooting programs.