§ 15b. Rule Governing Public Use of Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department Shooting Ranges
1.0 Authority.
1.1 This rule is adopted pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 4146 which authorizes the Commissioner to adopt rules “as necessary for the proper protection
and management” of public shooting grounds.
1.2 This rule is only applicable to shooting range facilities which are owned by the Vermont
Fish and Wildlife Department and are open to the general public.
2.0 Purpose.
2.1 The purposes of this rule are to regulate public activities and use at Vermont Fish
and Wildlife Department shooting ranges, to provide for the safe and efficient operation
of these facilities and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
3.0 Requirements and Prohibited Activities at all Department Shooting Ranges.
3.1 All range users shall:
(a) have a valid Vermont hunting, fishing or combination license as required for individuals
15 years of age and older, unless attending an event or training sponsored by the
Department;
(b) be limited to one unlicensed visitor and shall be held accountable for the visitor.
All visitors shall be required to purchase his or her own license after 3 visits during
the range year (April 1st — Dec 14th).
(c) wear hearing and eye protection, this includes both shooters and spectators;
(d) not handle or shoot any firearms while anyone is beyond or in front of the firing
line, shooting benches or otherwise down range;
(e) communicate to all shooters to cease shooting, before going down range;
(f) point any firearm in a safe direction at all times;
(g) cap and prime muzzleloaders from the firing line;
(h) keep all firearms unloaded, with actions open, until the shooter is ready to fire
at the firing line; and
(i) remove and place all discarded objects, trash, targets and spent cartridge hulls in
trash receptacles before leaving the range.
3.2 The following activities are strictly prohibited:
(a) The use of the shooting range at any other time than the range hours posted at the
range by the Commissioner of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.
(b) The use of tracer, armor piercing or steel core ammunition.
(c) The shooting of any airborne or thrown objects (e.g. clay pigeons), unless designated
for such purpose.
(d) Shooting long rifles and shotguns from any pistol bench.
(e) Shooting handguns from the long-gun benches.
(f) Shooting outside the designated shooting areas, in front of the firing line or, anywhere
other than from or right next to shooting benches.
(g) Shooting any target other than paper targets secured to the target frames and raised
above ground level, unless attending an event or training sponsored by the Department.
No other targets shall be allowed.
(h) Shooting at the vegetation, trash, range equipment or facilities.
(i) Shooting from the hip or any other shooting position in which the shooter cannot properly
utilize the sights.
(j) The use of lighted tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, and pipes; and the
use of alcohol, or any illegal substances.
(k) The presence at the facility or use of the facility by any person who is under the
influence of alcohol or any illegal substances.
(l) Children (aged 15 years or younger) that are not accompanied by an individual over
the age of 18, unless attending an event or training sponsored by the Department.
(m) The presence of any domestic animal or pets on the range except bona fide Service
and Assistance Animals.
(n) The use of any fireworks, pyrotechnics, or any other explosive targets, including
tannerite.
4.0 Hours of Operation and Prohibited Activities Applicable Only to Hammonds Cove
Shooting Range.
4.1 Unless otherwise posted at the discretion of the Commissioner of the Fish and Wildlife
Department, the Hammond Cove Shooting Range shall be open: April 1 to December 14,
Thursday through Monday, 10AM to 3PM; except Sundays, 10AM to 2PM.
4.2 Hammonds Cove Shooting Range shall be closed December 15 through March 31; and on
all Vermont State & Federal Holidays; except for special events approved by the Commissioner.
4.3 Firing more than one round per second is prohibited at Hammonds Cove Shooting Range. (Added 2015, Fish and Wildlife Board Reg. eff. July 1, 2016.)