Whether you hunt with a bow or participate in 3D tournaments, improving your archery skills is a necessary dimension of the sport. Visiting a range is a good way to get ready for competition or for the Ohio archery deer-hunting season. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, along with many archery retail outlets, provide ranges where archers can take aim at game statues or standard bull's-eye targets.
Northwest
If you are looking for outdoor ranges operated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, you will find them scattered throughout the state, with the largest concentrations in the southern half.
Only one state-operated range is listed in the Northwest and that is at St. Mary's Fish Hatchery in western Auglaize County on the eastern shore of Grand Lake St. Marys.
Serving the archery community since 1967, Cleland's Outdoor World in Swanton offers a state-of-the-art indoor range that allows serious archers the opportunity to practice year-round. The establishment also offers a complete line of bows and accessories for the serious archer.
Northeast
The state operates archery ranges in the Northeast at Berlin Lake Wildlife Area, Geneva State Park, Punderson State Park, Spencer Wildlife Area and the Woodbury Wildlife Area.
If you are looking for an indoor range, check out the facilities at The Marksman Armory and Archery in Norton. You can take your pick of seven lanes and shoot a full 20 yards. There is also a 13-animal, 3D shoot available on a limited time or appointment basis.
Southwest
Find Ohio Department of Natural Resources archery ranges in the Southwest at Caesar Creek State Park, Deer Creek Wildlife Area, Delaware Wildlife Area, Hueston Woods State Park, Indian Creek Wildlife Area, Paint Creek State Park, Rocky Fork State Park and Spring Valley Wildlife Area.
Those who are interested in more than just a place to practice should investigate Target World in Cincinnati. It offers all types of repair and set-up services, competitive range fees and instruction for the beginning to advanced archer.
Southeast
State-operated archery ranges in the Southeast are located at Barcamp State Park, Hebron Fish Hatchery, Hocking Hills State Park, Lake Vesuvius in Wayne National Forest, Tri-Valley Wildlife Area and Veto Lake Wildlife Area.
Rockbridge Outfitters in Athens, with other locations in Lancaster, Nelsonville and the original shop in Rockbridge, is a family-operated business with a complete archery supply shop. Their shooting lanes offer you an opportunity to test equipment or practice. In addition, they are open seven days a week.
Costs
There is no charge to use ranges operated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. These free-to-the-public facilities are open every day, sunrise to sunset, except during holidays. The exception is the Spring Valley Wildlife Area, where the archery range operates on the same schedule as the Class A rifle/pistol range there.
While ranges in retail establishments do not charge to test equipment, hourly rates are charged for practice use. Expect to pay around $8 per hour to shoot at most establishments. Range availability coincides with business hours.
Most archery clubs are private and offer competition shoots and social activities, as well as practice ranges in exchange for membership fees, which vary from club to club. If you are a member, you can generally use the range at your leisure.
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