Trap-shooting facilities open to the public have until Monday, March 2, to apply for matching grants that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will make available to develop and enhance trap shooting ranges.

“This statewide grant program will provide more opportunities for youth trap shooters, youth trap teams and adult shooters,” said Chuck Niska, DNR shooting range program coordinator. “We’d like to see as many applications submitted as possible.”

A total of $1.7 million is available and will be divided between two grant categories: $700,000 is available for small grants from $2,500 to $25,000; and $1 million is available for grants above $25,000. There is no limit on the request amount for grants larger than $25,000. The grants require a match of 50 percent nonstate funds to be considered.

“We look forward to helping trap clubs and other organizations put these dollars to good use,” Niska said. “Ideally, range work would be completed this spring, leading to more shooting opportunities around the state by next summer.”

Grant application packets for both small and large grants are available at  www.mndnr.gov/grants/recreation . Those selected for funding will be notified in March.

Grant background

The Minnesota Legislature last year authorized funding for matching grants to recreational shooting clubs for developing or rehabilitating trap shooting sports facilities for public use, with an emphasis on enhancing youth participation opportunities.

Nearly $400,000 was awarded to 41 trap shooting facilities last year as part of the small trap range grants program that provided matching grants of up to $25,000.

Development of the grants program follows a significant rise in youth trap shooting, especially by high school students who are part of a statewide league. Existing trap ranges sometimes struggle to meet demand.

“We funded a lot of worthy projects from the first round of grants,” Niska said. “We look forward to high interest in this next round of funding.”