The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking public input on a proposal to adjust some of the user fees at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility to meet rising operational costs. These increases are being proposed to keep the Phoenix Point of Pride location functioning and expanding as one of the top shooting facilities in the nation.

“The range is operated in large part with revenues generated from user fees. Operating costs have significantly increased over the past seven years. Examples include electricity up 72 percent, waste disposal up 100 percent, janitorial supplies up 81 percent, fuel up 48 percent, and clay targets up an average of 25 percent. In addition to consumables, a number of full and part-time positions have been added, many specifically to handle large shooting events and peak usage hours,” says Jay Cook, Education Branch Chief for the department. “The last fee increase was implemented nearly 7 years ago on July 1, 2001.”

Examples of some proposed increases: A day on the main shooting range or archery range would cost $7 compared to $5 today. Children 17 years and under are still free. A round of trap or skeet at the completely renovated and modernized Clay Target Center will run a dollar more at $6 compared to the current price of $5. Twenty-five targets at the sporting clays course will bump to $10 from the current rate of $8. For a full schedule of proposed fees visit www.azgfd.gov/basf and click “proposed fees” at the top of the page.

Fee increases do require approval from the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. Public comments will be accepted through May 1, 2008 and the Department will be providing the Commission a final fee schedule recommendation during its meeting May 16 – 17 at the Prescott Quality Inn & Suites, 4499 Highway 69, Prescott, 86301.

The public is encouraged to e-mail comments to BASFfees2008@azgfd.gov or mail them to 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086, Attention BASF Fees 2008, c/o Jay Cook.

Located on 1,650 acres in north Phoenix, the Ben Avery Shooting Facility is one of the largest government-operated recreational shooting complexes in the world. It averages more than 120,000 shooters per year and is home to a number of regional- and national-class competitions and other major events. Offering a wide array of target-shooting opportunities, the facility has 67 covered stations at the main range (all handicap accessible), and over 25 additional rifle, pistol, and archery ranges for recreational and competitive shooting. The Clay Target Center offers 18-lighted trap/skeet overlay fields and two sporting clays courses.

To see the Ben Avery Shooting Facility first hand or to learn more about target shooting and shooting sports, come to the Department’s Outdoor Expo March 29-30. There will be over 100 exhibitors, demonstrations, outdoor workshops and hands-on opportunities to fire the latest in firearms at the range. For Expo details, visit www.azgfd.gov/expo.