Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) Sighting-in Ranges
The Department has public sighting-in ranges available at the Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) listed below. These ranges were built for sportsmen to properly sight-in their firearms before going afield during the hunting seasons.
All Department public sighting-in ranges are handicapped accessible. Range rules and hours of operation are prominently posted at each range to promote shooting safety and proper care of the facilities. Range users must adhere to posted rules and hours of operation. No reservations are required. Any person 17 years of age or older accessing a WMA or DWR fishing lake must have in their possession a valid hunting, freshwater fishing, or trapping license; current boat registration; or Access Permit.
Shooters are limited to one hour of shooting when range is full. Be sure to bring your own paper targets, cardboard backing, clothespins, and tape. In order to help maintain the ranges, all target materials and brass must be removed for proper disposal off site.
It shall be unlawful to use or discharge a firearm or hunting weapon on department-owned and managed lands other than to take legal wildlife while hunting or trapping during open seasons. Discharge of a firearm or hunting weapon for target shooting is prohibited on department-owned and managed lands, except on designated shooting ranges designed for specific firearms and hunting weapons on posted days and hours during which the range is open for operation.
DWR Sighting-In Ranges Amelia Wildlife Management Area: Six covered bench positions from 25–100 yards for rifle, muzzleloader, and shotgun patterning at stationary paper targets; area for clay bird shooting (bring own thrower and targets).
Pistol shooting is prohibited.
- Sighting-In Range Rules (PDF)
General Range Operation Dates
- Open September 1 – March 31, closed to public use April 1 – August 31.
- Closed on Mondays for maintenance, except holiday Mondays.
Chickahominy Wildlife Management Area
Ten covered bench shooting positions from 25–100 yards for rifle, muzzleloader, and shotgun sighting-in at stationary paper targets.
Additional covered area for stand up shotgun patterning. Pistol and clay target shooting are prohibited. General dates of operation are Sep- tember 1 to March 31. With the exception of state holidays, the range will be closed on Mon- days for maintenance. For information contact: Charles City Regional Office, (804) 829-6580.
Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area
Six covered bench-rest stations from 25–100 yards for rifle, muzzleloader, and shotgun patterning at stationary paper targets. Pistol and clay target shooting are prohibited. General dates of operation are September 1 to March 31.
With the exception of state holidays, the range will be closed on Mondays for maintenance.
Snow and ice may result in temporary range closures in January, February, and March. For information contact: Marion Regional Office, (276) 783-4860.
Gathright Wildlife Management Area
Six covered bench-rest stations from 25–100 yards for rifle, muzzleloader, and shotgun patterning at stationary paper targets. Pistol and clay target shooting are prohibited. General dates of operation are September 1 to March 31.
With the exception of state holidays, the range will be closed on Mondays for maintenance. For information contact: Verona Regional Office, (540) 248-9360.
C. F. Phelps Wildlife Management Area
Six covered bench-rest stations from 25–100 yards for rifle, muzzleloader, and shotgun patterning at stationary paper targets. Pistol and clay target shooting are prohibited. General dates of operation are September 1 to March 31.
With the exception of state holidays, the range will be closed on Mondays for maintenance. For information contact: Fredericksburg Regional Office, (540) 899-4169.
White Oak Mountain Wildlife Management Area
Six covered bench positions from 25–100 yards for rifle, muzzleloader, and shotgun patterning at stationary paper targets. Pistol and clay target shooting are prohibited. General dates of operation are September 1 to March 31. With the exception of state holidays, the range will be closed on Mondays for maintenance. For information contact Forest Regional Office, (434) 525-7522.
NOTE: The Department reserves the right to manage the use and access of these facilities as deemed appropriate. These facilities are subject to emergency closures.
National Forest Shooting Ranges
These ranges are open sunrise to sunset during the operating season. Users must bring their own paper targets to all ranges. Use stationary paper targets only. Moving targets, including skeet and/or clay targets, are prohibited except at the Blacksburg Range where clay targets are allowed. No tracer or incendiary type ammunition is allowed. Shooters under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. All of the ranges have vault toilet restroom buildings. None of these sites have drinking water.
The Blacksburg Shooting Range in Montgomery County
Two facilities: an 18-lane rifle/pistol range with covered benches for firing at stationary paper targets for up to 100 meters, and a single po- sition shotgun (trap) range for shooting clay targets. Archery is allowed at the shotgun range.
Shooting benches and restrooms are wheelchair accessible although some shooters will need assistance with hanging and retrieving targets.
This year-round range is closed on Tuesdays for cleaning. For information contact: Eastern Divide Ranger District, (540) 552-4641.
The Bath County Shooting Range
A 5-lane range with covered benches for shooting stationary paper targets at 50–100 yards.
Pistols and rifles are allowed. Shotguns are allowed only when shooting at a stationary paper target. Shooting at any moving target is strictly prohibited. This range is open year round. For information contact: Warm Springs Ranger District, (540) 839-2521.
The Hite Hollow Shooting Range in Augusta County
A 6-lane rifle range for shooting approximately 50, 100, and 150 yards, and a 2-lane pistol range for shooting approximately 25 yards. Both of these facilities have covered benches. This range is open from May 1 through December 31. For information contact: North River Ranger District, (540) 432-0187.
The Low Moor Shooting Range in Alleghany County
Provides a 6-lane rifle range for shooting 50 and 100 yards, and a 4-lane pistol range for shooting up to 25 yards. Shotguns are allowed only when shooting at a stationary paper target.
Shooting at any moving target is strictly prohibited. Both ranges offer covered benches. This range is open year round. For information con- tact: James River Ranger District, (540) 839-2521.
The Pott’s Slope Shooting Range in Craig County
Provides a 9-lane, covered bench, rifle and pistol range for shooting targets at 25, 50, and 100 yards. No shotguns or moving targets are allowed. Shooting benches and restrooms are wheelchair accessible although some shooters will need assistance with hanging and retrieving targets. This range is open year round, but is closed on Tuesdays for cleaning. For information contact: Eastern Divide Ranger District, (540) 552-4641.
The West Side Shooting Range
Provides 8 shooting lanes of various lengths for rifles, shotguns and pistols. All 8 lanes have covered shooting benches. No moving targets are allowed. This range is open from May 1 to December 31. For more information contact: North River Ranger District, (540) 432-0187.
The Wythe Shooting Range
Offers 10 lanes with covered benches. Five lanes allow shooting from 5–25 yards. The remaining five lanes offer shooting from 5–100 yards.
Pistols and rifles may be used on any lane de- pending upon the shooting distance desired. No shotguns, moving targets, or archery allowed.
The range is open year round, but closed from daylight to noon on Wednesdays for cleaning.
For more information, contact: Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area (800) 628-7202.
Notes:
- On National Forests, please remember firearms may be discharged for target practice only at established shooting ranges.
- Discharging a firearm in a developed recreation site is dangerous and prohibited.
- For more information contact: the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest Headquarters at 5162 Valleypointe Parkway, Roanoke, VA 24019, or call (540) 265-5100.