Waterbury, VERMONT-- Shooting clubs, sportsmen's groups and municipalities involved in the improvement or maintenance of shooting ranges, including archery ranges, are reminded they have until 4:30 p.m. on March 15, 2010 to submit their applications for new funding grant from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

The Shooting Range Improvement Grant Program is designed to encourage the improvement of shooting ranges and to enhance their safety and operation.

"Our goal is to improve hunter education by encouraging hunters to become more proficient with firearms while promoting safe and responsible hunting and shooting practices," said Hunter Education Coordinator Chris Saunders.

Grant money may be used for lead mitigation. This could include funding for recycling the accumulated lead in berms, reducing range floor surface drainage, or liming range property. Other uses include shooting range development and redevelopment, construction of noise abatement structures and safety berms, installation of shooting pads and stations, and construction or improvement of access roads and parking lots. In return for funding, a range receiving one of these grants will be expected to provide at least 20 hours of public use per month and have their facility open to hunter education use. Vermont non-profits and municipalities are eligible.

These grant funds are derived from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife Restoration Program which come from Federal taxes on hunting and shooting equipment. This is a 75 percent reimbursement grant program and requires a 25 percent non-federal match from the grant recipient. This can come through 'in-kind' match, such as volunteer labor and donated equipment.

Saunders says the department anticipates providing $70,000 in federal funds for the program this year and $350,000 over the next five years.

For further information, visit the department's website a www.vtfishandwildlife.com. Look under Hunting and Trapping for Shooting Ranges in Vermont, or contact Chris Saunders, Hunter Education Coordinator at (802)241-3722.