Delaware Wildlife Area Public Shooting Range is an outdoor public range operated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife at 1110 State Route 229 in Ashley, Ohio. It is classified as a Class A (supervised rifle and pistol), C (unsupervised clay target shotgun) and D (unsupervised archery) facility, with a range attendant on duty during open hours.
The rifle and pistol area has three ranges, all under shelter, with handicap-accessible walkways and shooting positions: 50 foot with 36 positions, 25 yard with 24 positions, and 100 yard with 30 positions. A hand trap range for shotgun practice has 5 stations with throwers provided; shooters bring their own targets. Archery facilities include a 10-lane, 90-meter Olympic archery range with an observation pavilion, a static archery range with an ADA-compliant elevated platform and targets at 10 to 50 yards, and a walk-through course with 14 targets at 10 to 50 yards in wooded and open field settings.
The pistol, rifle and shotgun ranges are open year-round Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with shooting ceasing at 4:40 p.m. Archery ranges are open dawn until dusk. The range is closed on New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Everyone 18 and older shooting on the rifle, pistol and shotgun ranges needs a shooting range permit, which is not sold at the range. Shooters 17 and under need no permit but must be accompanied and directly monitored by an adult holding a valid permit. The archery ranges are free. Class A ranges have handicap-accessible parking, shooting benches and restroom facilities. Rules prohibit fully automatic fire, rapid or burst fire, tracer ammunition and exploding targets.
At a glance
Range type: Outdoor, Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Archery
Lanes / positions: 90
Distances: Pistol/rifle: 50 feet (36 positions), 25 yards (24 positions), 100 yards (30 positions). Shotgun hand trap: 5 stations. Archery: 10-lane 90-meter Olympic range; static range with targets at 10-50 yards; 14-target walk-through at 10-50 yards.
Access: Open to the public
Good to know: Family friendly
Services, training & programs
50-foot rifle/pistol range: 36 positions, under shelter
25-yard rifle/pistol range: 24 positions, under shelter
100-yard rifle/pistol range: 30 positions, under shelter
Handicap-accessible walkways and shooting positions on rifle/pistol ranges
Hand trap shotgun range: 5 stations, throwers provided
Olympic archery range: 10 lanes, 90 meters, with observation pavilion
Static archery range with ADA-compliant elevated platform, targets at 10-50 yards
Archery walk-through course: 14 targets at 10-50 yards
Range attendant on duty (supervised Class A range)
Target holders provided on rifle/pistol ranges
Annual shooting range permit sold through license outlets, online and HuntFish OH app
One-day shooting range permit
Amenities
Targets
Restrooms
Wheelchair Accessible
Viewing Area
Parking
Pricing at Delaware Wildlife Area Public Shooting Range
Range fees & day rates
One-Day Shooting Range Permit (age 18+): $5 — Admits holder to ODNR Division of Wildlife Class A, B and C ranges for one day. Code 720. Includes $1.00 writing fee. Not sold at the range.
Annual Shooting Range Permit (age 18+): $24 — Admits holder to Class A, B and C ranges for one year. Code 700. Permit year runs March 1 to last day of February. Includes $1.00 writing fee. Not sold at the range.
Annual Permit and Hunting License Combo: $29.12 — Annual shooting range permit plus hunting license combo.
Shooters age 17 and under: Free — No permit required but must be accompanied and directly monitored by an adult 18+ holding a valid shooting range permit.
Archery ranges: Free — Open free to the public; no permit required.
Permits are available at all hunting and fishing license outlets, online, or through the HuntFish OH mobile app; they are not sold at the shooting range. All sales are final; no refunds.
Prices are published by the range and can change — confirm before you visit.
Plan your visit
What to bring: Valid shooting range permit (age 18+), firearms and ammunition, single-sheet paper targets (shotgun shooters bring own clay targets for the hand trap range). Eye and hearing protection are strongly recommended.
Ammo policy: Tracer ammo and exploding targets are prohibited. Fully automatic firearms and devices simulating full-auto fire are prohibited. Rapid/burst fire and firing from the hip are prohibited. Illegal firearms per O.R.C. 2923.11 are prohibited. Do not place unfired rounds in barrels.
Age policy: Shooters 17 and under need no permit but must be accompanied by and directly monitored by an adult (18+) holding a valid shooting range permit. Shooters 18 and older must have their own permit.
First-timer tips: Read and be familiar with all range rules before entering. Buy a permit in advance (not sold at the range). Present permit to the range attendant and sign in before entering; sign out when leaving. Limit of two shooters per bench. Use the central pathway going to and from targets and do not cross the cable. During a cease fire, unload firearms, place on bench with actions open, and do not handle them; do not go downrange until all shooters are behind the yellow line and have called 'clear'. Remove all target material before leaving.
Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 9am - 5pm
Thursday: 9am - 5pm
Friday: 9am - 5pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 9am - 5pm
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours?
The pistol, rifle and shotgun ranges are open year-round Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed Monday and Tuesday. Shooting ceases at 4:40 p.m. Archery ranges are open dawn until dusk.
What holidays is the range closed?
New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Where is the range located?
1110 State Route 229, Ashley, Ohio 43003. Phone: (740) 287-4950.
How much does it cost to shoot?
Shooters 18 and older need a shooting range permit: $5 for one day, $24 annual, or $29.12 for an annual permit and hunting license combo. Archery ranges are free.
Can I buy a permit at the range?
No. Permits are sold at hunting and fishing license outlets, online, or through the HuntFish OH mobile app.
What is the age policy?
Shooters 17 and under need no permit but must be accompanied and directly monitored by an adult 18 or older holding a valid shooting range permit.
Do I need a membership?
No membership is offered. Access is through the state shooting range permit.
What distances are available?
Rifle and pistol: 50 foot (36 positions), 25 yard (24 positions) and 100 yard (30 positions), all under shelter. There is also a 5-station hand trap shotgun range and several archery ranges.
Is eye and ear protection required?
Eye and hearing protection are strongly recommended. The listing material does not mention rentals.
What ammunition or targets are prohibited?
Tracer ammo and exploding targets are prohibited, as are fully automatic firearms and rapid or burst fire. Use single-sheet paper targets only on rifle/pistol ranges.
Are target holders provided?
Yes, target holders are provided on the Delaware range. Targets must be placed on the provided stands; do not climb the bullet stop.
Is the shotgun range a full trap or skeet range?
No. It is a hand trap range for shotgun practice only, with 5 stations and throwers provided. Shooters must bring their own targets.
Is the range wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The rifle and pistol ranges have handicap-accessible walkways and shooting positions, and the static archery range has an ADA-compliant elevated platform.
What happens when I arrive?
Adults present a range use permit to the range attendant and sign in before entering, and sign out when leaving.