With the temporary closure of National Parks and Forests in the state, two of Alabama’s public shooting ranges will be closed until the federal government’s budget shutdown is resolved. The South Sandy Shooting Range in the Oakmulgee Wildlife Management Area (WMA) located in the Oakmulgee Ranger District section of the Talladega National Forest and the recently opened Conecuh Shooting Range located in the Conecuh National Forest have been temporarily closed. The two ranges will reopen when the federal shutdown is resolved.

During the temporary closure, the public is encouraged to take advantage of the other public shooting ranges offered as a service of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF).

“As a division of a state agency, the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division is unaffected by the federal shutdown,” said Marisa Futral, WFF Hunter Education Coordinator. “The state’s WMA system will be open for all of the various fall hunting seasons. Only two of the state’s public shooting ranges will be affected by the federal closure. All other public shooting ranges are open, and we encourage shooters to take advantage of them for some preseason shooting.”