Construction underway on NAZSR. Occasional shotgun events will be available prior to grand opening

Construction has begun on the Northern Arizona Shooting Range near Winona. Berming and leveling for the shooting bays is underway. However, during the construction, thanks to portable clay target throwing machines, Game and Fish is able to host occassional event shoots to give shooting enthusiasists an early look at the site and a chance to enjoy shooting in the cool pines before the range is fully operational.

Note: The range is not open to day-to-day activities at this time

Upcoming shoots Tin Man 200 on May 19, 2012 Video of first-ever shoot on Aug. 19-20, 2011 with over 100 participants. Shooters came from all reaches of the state including Yuma, Tucson, Wickenburg, Prescott, as well as Neveda and California.

Construction updates

• Aug. 2011 Commission briefing

Northern Arizona Shooting Range design receives unanimous approval

March 11, 2011 - The Arizona Game and Fish Commission, today, unanimously approved the master site plan for the future Northern Arizona Shooting Range.

“Approval of the site design is a huge step towards filling the more than 40 year void for a designated shooting venue in Northern Arizona,” said Chief of Shooting Ranges for Game and Fish, Jay Cook.

The design approved reflects slight modifications from the draft presented to the public at the open house last week where more than 100 persons attended, providing 55 comments on the plan. Public input from that meeting resulted in increasing the archery range from 50 yards to 100 yards.

The other significant change was to the 800-yard long distance rifle range which is now oriented to true north with lateral safety and sound berming on each side of the range. Although more costly, these changes were made based on input from competitive long-range shooters and sound concerns from Walnut Canyon National Monument.

Cook added, “With the approved plan, we can now begin to address the details of the range and develop a safe shooting range on the Foster Ranch site that is compatible with other public uses and values in the area.”

The range will be developed in stages over the next couple of years based on funding, resources, weather conditions, and many other factors. To keep up-to-date on the progress of the range, visit www.azgfd.gov/nazsr.

Game and Fish receives no tax dollars from the state’s general fund and operates under a user-pay, user-benefit model. The property was purchased and will be developed through the sale of licenses to hunters and anglers. A $3 surcharge is imposed on hunting and fishing licenses to acquire, construct, renovate, or improve Game and Fish facilities. The fund for the development of the Northern Arizona Shooting Range was established beginning in 2001.

Comments about the Northern Arizona Shooting Range may be submitted by e-mail to nazsr@azgfd.gov.

NEW! Final Approved Master Site Plan

The Arizona Game and Fish Department has collected extensive public input from a variety of sources (public, professional and stakeholders) and has compiled a conceptual master plan for the Northern Arizona Shooting Range.

From all of these collaborations, Game and Fish took into consideration many elements including safety, environmental concerns, sound abatement, functionality, capabilities, training, education, and other shooting range requirements resulting in this final master site plan for the future Northern Arizona Shooting Range.

• View master site plan in a large, detailed pdf.
  
  
• Lean more about the input used to develop the draft master site plan.

Northern Arizona Shooting Range
Conceptual master plan site design

[hi-res pdf, 1.5Mb]

Please mail, fax or e-mail your site design comments, suggestions or questions to:

Arizona Game and Fish Department
Attn: Chief of Shooting Ranges
5000 W. Carefree Highway
Phoenix, AZ 85086
Fax: (623) 236-7903
nazsr@azgfd.gov

Mitigation Strategies

View a number of potential range construction strategies, components and designs that address safety and that will also further mitigate sound.

• View the potential sound mitigation strategies in a large detailed pdf.

Area Overview Map

This area overview map is to show the distance of the shooting range in relationship to the Walnut Canyon National Monument and visitor center.

• View the area in large detailed pdf.

Commonly Asked Questions

The Commission and Department understand the concerns that have been raised regarding the range location and we are committed to working with all of our constituents, neighbors, and partners to develop a safe shooting range on the Foster Ranch site that is compatible with other public uses and values in the area.

• Get first hand information on the a number of commonly asked questions and concerns regarding the range.

G&F Comments on Walnut Canyon 2002 Draft General Management Plans

• Game and Fish comments, Jan. 29, 2002
  
  
• Map alternate 1
  
  
• Map alternate 2 preferred

Map and report from baseline sound study

*Note: Updated, Nov. 2, 2010 - The map below now incorporates the 1996 expansion of the Walnut Canyon National Monument as well as the special area being studied by the USFS and NPS. Prior to this date, the map illustrating the sound study measurement points that was used for logistic purposes did not include these other references. (Nov. 2, 2010)

It was brought to the Department's attention that the boundries of the Walnut Canyon National Monument shown on the below map do not reflect the 1996 expansion of the monument boundaries. The primary function of this map was to provide sound study crews a overview of the sound study for logistics, communication and travel routes - not land ownership. The Department is in the process of revising the map for public use and to accurately reflect the existing boundaries of Walnut Canyon National Monument. (Oct. 6, 2010)

Independent contractor Acoustical Consulting Services of Mesa, Ariz. conducted the baseline sound study per A.R.S. 17-602 on Aug. 25, 2010.

• Sound study report from Foster Ranch Property, [pdf, 7MB]
  
  
• Arizona Revised Statutes: Title 17 Game and Fish, Chapter 6, Shooting Ranges.
  17-601 through 17-621 on the Arizona State Legislature website.

Map of the measurement locations for the baseline sound study

Note about Raymond Wildlife Area

Updated, Feb. 4, 2011 – The previously listed location and estimated driving time of “about 30 miles (45 minutes' drive)“ to the Raymond Wildlife Area was an estimate provided for general guidance for visitors. This has been updated to give a more accurate account of the distance and roadways to the wildlife area.

The Raymond Wildlife Area is approximately 40 miles southeast of the I-17/I-40 interchange in Flagstaff with an estimated driving time of 1 hour and 10 minutes. However, visitors should be aware the drive is subject to road and weather conditions due to the last 10 miles to the wildlife area is a relatively unmaintained dirt road with many drainage points and crossings (Feb. 4, 2011).

What's a local shooting range

A local or community range is typically 60-80+ acres in size, and provides a multi-purpose shooting facility. Some features of a local range may include a 100-yard rifle sight-in and pistol range, a small bore / hunter education range, shotgun / clay target shooting (trap, skeet and/or sporting clays in some cases), and archery venues.

History

In July, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission purchased the 160-acre Foster Ranch in Coconino County for establishing a local public shooting range to serve surrounding communities’ law enforcement training, hunter education, hunter sight in, and recreational/competitive shooting of firearms and archery.

Northern Arizona residents have been without a rifle and pistol shooting range since 1968. In 1994, closures of the local shotgun and archery ranges resulted in one of Arizona’s largest communities without a designated place for recreational/competitive shooting and law enforcement training.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department has spent the last 15 years seeking to establish a shooting range in northern Arizona. Some of the past key events include:

• 1995-2003 – Attempted Bellemont land exchange with Coconino National Forest (CNF).
• 2005-2009 – Willard Springs site identified as alternate site for land exchange with CNF.
• March 2009 – Began 90-day re-evaluation of alternate sites due to 2019 estimation to complete a federal land exchange for the Willard Springs property.
• May 2009 – Criteria identified for eliminating potential alternate sites based on public survey: (1) located within 30 minutes from downtown Flagstaff; (2) sized for a local range with potential to expand to regional range; (3) and the ability to be operational by 2013.
• June 2009 – Three sites recommended, all required land exchange with CNF.
• Sept. 2009 – Foster Ranch added to list of recommended properties for consideration.
• Dec. 2009 – Site selection reduced to three properties, including Foster Ranch.
• May. 2010 – Commission authorizes purchase of Foster Ranch.
• July 2010 - Purchase of Foster Ranch site finalized.
• Aug. 2010 - AZGFD conducts baseline sound study.
• Sept. 2010 - Open House at Flagstaff Regional office from 3-8 p.m.
• Coming: Feb. 2011 - Open House at Flagstaff Regional office from 5:30-8 p.m.

Comments about the Northern Arizona Shooting Range may be submitted by e-mail to nazsr@azgfd.gov.