Shooting Ranges Along the South Shore

In rural parts of the South Shore area, it’s still possible to find a farmer or other owner of rural property who may have a safe area to shoot handguns, rifles or shotguns, but most people don’t have access to these. There are a small number of indoor ranges, suitable for firing handguns or small caliber rifles but few options for those wanting to practice with their shotguns or rifles. 

Luckily, the Indiana DNR operates three shooting ranges within easy driving distance at Division of Fish and Wildlife Areas. Each range has a Range Officer on duty and check-in is required before shooting. All of them have ranges specifically useful for shotguns, handguns, as well as small caliber and larger rifles. All of the ranges require you bring your own clay targets and target throwers or paper targets for rifle and pistol shooting. They do provide target holders.

All ranges operate on one over riding philosophy, SAFETY FIRST. Other than that, each range is slightly different. Here are some specifics: 

At Jasper-Pulaski FWA, in Jasper County near Medaryville, IN shooters must check in at a self-service facility located at the property’s headquarters complex, then drive to the range. There is no charge to shoot. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. 

The shooting range at Willow Slough FWA, in Newton County south of Lake Village, IN is also closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Check-in is at the range in the small gun shop located there. Cost is $7.00 per hour payable at the gun shop. A small amount of shooting supplies and targets are available for sale. 

The shooting range at At Kingsbury FWA, near LaPorte, IN requires checking in right at the range and there’s a $4 per day charge to use the facility. The Kingsbury Range is closed only on Mondays.  

For more details on these ranges, including driving directions, phone numbers and hours of operation, check out https://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3648.htm.