AGFC Firing Ranges
We tend to think of firearms as tools for hunting at the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, although thousands of gun enthusiasts who enjoy shooting never enter the woods. There’s room for recreational shooters and hunters honing their skill at Arkansas’ public firing ranges.
The AGFC built the Dr. James E. Moore Jr. Firing Range – the state’s first public range – in the early 1970s near Lake Conway. Improvements over the years have turned it into a top-notch facility for pistol, rifle, skeet and trap shooting.
The range can provide vital sighting before deer or other seasons – but don’t wait until the day before your season begins. Targets, sand bags, spotting scopes and ear protection come with a small fee. The range is manned by AGFC personnel who can answer questions and help sight rifles.
The Mayflower range is open to the public from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesdays-Sundays; it’s closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and state holidays. It’s also closed for hunter education classes. For more information call Phone (501) 470-9904 or visit the website at Dr. James E. Moore Jr. Camp Robinson Firing Range - Mayflower
Located on the Camp Robinson Wildlife Management Area, Faulkner County – From Exit 135 on Interstate 40, follow Arkansas Highway 89 four miles east (watch for signs).
Jack
Cox
Scatter
Creek
Firing
Range
The Jack Cox Scatter Creek Firing Range opened near Paragould in fall 2004. Cox, who was on hand to help dedicate the range, has worked for years to expand W.E. Brewer Scatter Creek Wildlife Management Area. The WMA started in 1986 with 957 and it’s grown to about 5,000 acres.
The 200-yard range has berms on each side and behind targets. Twelve shooting bays are covered and accessible to the handicapped. Any legal firearms and ammunition may be used. The range is open sunrise to sunset, although it closes sometimes for maintenance and hunting seasons.
Located about four miles east of Beech on Arkansas Highway 34, then half a mile north (watch for signs). For more information, call (877) 972-5438 or visit the website at Jack Cox Scatter Creek Firing Range - Paragould.
National Forest Firing Ranges
Ouachita
National Forest
Check www.fs.fed.us/oonf/ouachita.htm for details about these ranges.
Pigeon
Roost
Shooting
Range
Montgomery County – From Glenwood, take U.S. Highway 70 east 4.1 miles, turn north on Montgomery County Road 35 for 1.1 miles, turn east on CR 27 for 0.4 miles, take left fork of CR 248 for 0.5 miles, then left on Forest Service Road C27A for 0.7 miles. Call Caddo Ranger District, (870) 356-4186.
Buck
Ridge
Shooting
Range
Logan County – From Booneville, head south 3 miles on Arkansas Highway 23, east on Arkansas Highway 116 for 1 mile, then southeast on Forest Service Road 19 for 5 miles. Turn east on FSR 141 for 2.2 miles. Call Cold Springs Ranger District, (479) 675-3233.
Peeler
Gap
Shooting
Range
Yell County – From Danville, take Arkansas Highway 10 1 mile east, turn south on Forest Service Road 649 for 2.5 miles. Accessible benches and vault toilet. Call Fourche Ranger District, (479), 495-2844.
Jessieville
Shooting
Range
Garland
County
– From Jessieville, travel 1.5 miles south on Arkansas Highway 7, then west 12 miles on Arkansas Highway 298. Turn southwest on Forest Service Road J47, go 6 miles, turn west on FSR 5832 for 1.5 miles, then south on FSR J45T for 0.5 miles. Call Jessieville Ranger District, (501) 984-5313.
Acorn
Shooting
Range
Polk
County
– From Mena, take U.S. Highway 71 4 miles north, then U.S. Highway 270 west for 1 mile. Turn north on Forest Service Road 808, go 2 miles, turn east on FSR 750 0.25 miles. Call Mena Ranger District, (479) 394-2382.
Oden
Shooting
Range
Montgomery
County
– From Pencil Bluff, follow Arkansas Highway 88 5.7 miles west, turn north on gravel road and travel 1 mile. Call Oden Ranger District, (870) 326-4322.
Brushy HollowShootingRange
Scott County – From junction of U.S. Highway 71 bypass and Arkansas Highway 248 in Waldron, go 5 miles west, turn left on county road, continue 3 miles and turn south on Forest Service Road 837. Go 1.75 miles to range. Call Poteau Ranger District, (479) 637-4174.
Bear Mountain
Shooting
Range
Garland County – From Royal, head west 1.5 miles on U.S. Highway 270, then north on Garland County Road 98 for 3 miles. Turn west on Forest Service Road 98A, go 1 mile. Call Womble Ranger District, (870) 867-2101.
Reed
Mountain
Shooting
Range
Montgomery County – From Mount Ida, take Arkansas Highway 27 4 miles north, then west on Forest Service Road 37 for 1 mile, turn north on FSR W42 for 0.7 miles. Call Womble Ranger District, (870) 867-2101.
Ozark-St.
Francis
National Forests
See www.fs.fed.us/oonf/ozark/ for more information about these ranges.
Sylamore
Shooting
Range
Stone County – From Mountain View, follow Arkansas Highway 5 north 13.5 miles (the ranges are on east side of highway). Call Sylamore Ranger District, (870) 269-3228.
Pleasant Hill
Shooting
Range
Johnson
County
– From Clarksville, take Arkansas Highway 21 north 7 miles, turn east at “Scenic Byway” sign and go 0.25 miles to parking area. Call Pleasant Hill Ranger District, (479) 754-2864.
Other PublicFiringRanges
Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area
Benton
County – From Rogers, travel 10 miles on Arkansas Highway 12. Call (479) 789-2380 or visit www.arkansasstateparks.com.
C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center
Pulaski
County
– From Arkansas Highway 10, turn south on Ferndale Cutoff (8.5 miles west of Interstate 430) and continue 6 miles. Call (888) 821-2544 or visit www.arkansas4hcenter.org.