SALT LAKE CITY — August is National Shooting Sports Month, making it a great time to hit the shooting range. Whether you are a beginner who wants to shoot a bow or rifle for the first time or you’re a seasoned hunter prepping for the fall hunts, the two Utah Division of Wildlife Resources shooting ranges offer something for everyone.
Located at 6000 W. 2100 South in Salt Lake City, the Lee Kay Public Shooting Range is the only outdoor shooting range in the Salt Lake Valley. It has a variety of amenities, including:
A 100-, 200- and 300-yard rifle range
25-75 yard ranges with multiple lanes for handgun, rimfire, muzzleloader and rifle use
Trap shooting
Skeet shooting
5-stand shooting
An archery range with 15 lanes ranging from 20-90 yards
A dog training area with upland game and waterfowl habitats
A bird-watching area, complete with gazebo, on the north side of the property
“We also host many hunter education classes that help teach and train people to be ethical and responsible hunters,” Lee Kay wildlife recreation programs specialist George Sommer said. “We also host a lot of classes, clinics, seminars and club events, where people can learn a variety of shooting sports skills. The Lee Kay Public Shooting Range is a close, convenient place to come and safely shoot.”
The range is hosting several events in August to celebrate National Shooting Sports Month. A long range shooting clinic will be held Friday, Aug. 23 from 6-8 p.m., where people can learn techniques and best practices. The skills learned on the 300-yard range can be applied to shooting at 1,000 yards. The event is free, but space is limited, so people are encouraged to register on Eventbrite to save their spot. Basic and intermediate-level handgun classes will be held Saturday, Aug. 24 from 9-10:30 a.m. and 12-2 p.m., respectively. These events are also free, and you can register for them on Eventbrite.
The range is open Wednesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The shotgun ranges and archery fields stay open until 9 p.m. on Thursdays. Admission is $5 for an adult day pass and $2 for a youth day pass (for those 15 and younger.) Additional fees for trap and skeet rounds can be found on the DWR website.
Cache Valley Public Shooting Range
As its name suggests, this indoor/outdoor range offers shooting sports opportunities to people located in the northern part of Utah. Located at 2851 W. 200 North Valley View Highway 30 in Logan, this shooting range also has a wide variety of amenities, including:
A 100-, 200- and 300-yard rifle range
Trap shooting
Skeet shooting
90-meter outdoor archery field
20-yard indoor archery range (which also offers glow-in-the dark shooting)
50-foot indoor .22 caliber rifle range
50-foot handgun range, with targets at 5, 10 or 16 yards
Duck pond simulation shooting areas
25- and 50-yard outdoor ranges that are open to archery and firearms
All the outdoor shooting ranges were recently rebuilt and a few other upgrades have been made, including a now-wireless sporting clays throwing machine that is more user-friendly and less delayed. The trap machines on the shotgun shooting range are also new, and a 40-foot tower is now being installed for two of the clay-throwing machines, which will better simulate an incoming bird.
“Safety is our top priority, which is why we are a great place to come and shoot,” Cache Valley Public Shooting Range manager Andy Hunter said. “That is a big draw for people who practice shooting here or want to try it for the first time. We have range safety officers who can offer assistance as needed. And we have some targets available for purchase, but people should bring their own firearms and ammunition.”
The center also has an upcoming event for National Shooting Sports Month. The annual “waterfowl warmup” contest will give participants an opportunity to practice for the upcoming waterfowl hunts and will be held Saturday, Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants will compete in different scenarios that simulate real hunting situations. There will be a youth, women’s and men’s event, and registration is $25. Prizes and lunch will also be available.
“We are a family-friendly environment where you can try a new hobby or pass your tradition along to someone else,” Hunter said. “We just want people to come enjoy themselves.”
During the summer (April to October), the range is open Wednesday to Friday from 3-8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. During the winter months (November to March), the range is open Wednesday to Friday from 3-7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for an adult day pass and $2 for a youth day pass (for those 15 and younger.) Additional fees for trap and skeet rounds can be found on the DWR website.
Both shooting ranges also offer an ongoing, year-round promotion that allows someone to shoot for free or at a discounted rate if they purchased a firearm or archery equipment within 30 days. Proof of purchase must be provided to qualify for the deal. Visitors can also shoot for free or at a discounted rate on National Hunting and Fishing Day (the fourth Saturday of September) if they present a valid hunting, fishing or combination license.
