Trumbull County's Grand River shooting range getting $11.3M overhaul

A full-scale renovation of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Grand River Wildlife Area shooting range in Trumbull County is currently underway, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony anticipated later this year.

Located at 6693 Hoffman Norton Road in Bristolville, the upgraded facility will rival ODNR’s premier shooting ranges at Delaware and Spring Valley, both of which were completed a few years ago. Those projects were supported by Buckeye Firearms Association (BFA).

The Grand River Shooting Range is tentatively scheduled for completion in spring 2026. Once finished, it will offer a wide array of features designed to accommodate shooters of all skill levels and support ODNR’s educational and conservation missions:

• 119 shooting positions ranging from 50 feet to 200 yards
• New shooting sheds, benches, and ADA-compliant sidewalks
• Enhanced safety infrastructure, including new side berms and backstops
• Improved stormwater drainage systems
• 14-position walking archery course with an elevated ADA platform
• 7,000-square-foot outdoor education center and wet lab to support ODNR’s recruitment, retention, and reactivation initiatives

The total project cost is about $11.3 million, with 90% of funding provided through the Target and Marksmanship Training Support Act, an amendment to the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act via the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, according to information provided by DOW, whose local match is 10%.

“We’ve had a fantastic summer, with thousands of shooters visiting our ranges,” Kendra Wecker, chief of the ODNR Division of Wildlife, told BFA. “I’m especially proud of our partnership with 4-H shooting sports and the many youth we train annually in the safe use of firearms and archery equipment. We’re averaging 2,500 youth participants each year.”