AGFC offers special rates to celebrate National Shooting Sports Month

MAYFLOWER — Head to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Fiocchi Shooting Sports Complex and its Rick Evans Grandview Prairie Nature Center Shotgun Range this August to celebrate National Shooting Sports Month. The AGFC has a host of special deals to make it easier than ever to enjoy recreational shooting and knock the rust off before hunting season begins in September.

Recreational shooting has a strong link to conservation in the U.S. thanks to the Federal Wildlife Restoration Program. Manufacturers of firearms, ammunition and archery equipment pay excise taxes on their products, and those taxes are fed back to each state to put conservation work on the ground through grants. In Fiscal Year 2025, more than $15.7 million was apportioned to Arkansas for wildlife habitat conservation and hunter education funding. Combined with grants through the Federal Sport Fish Restoration Fund, a similar tax placed on boating and fishing equipment, the money from firearms and ammunition sales makes up nearly a third of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s annual budget.

According to Bill Haynes, manager of the Fiocchi complex, nearly everyone can enjoy one of the many special promotions taking place throughout the month.

“Anyone aged 6 to 17 or 65 years and older can shoot for free all month long at the rifle and pistol ranges,” Haynes said. “We do ask that anyone under 18 be accompanied by an adult, but the kids can shoot for free.”

Anyone who purchased a new rifle or pistol in the last 60 days can show a receipt at the desk and have a free day of shooting to get familiar with their new firearm, too.

“Show us your hunting or fishing license if you’ve renewed since July 1, and we’ll give you a free day on the rifle or pistol range as well,” Haynes said.

With dove season right around the corner, shotgun enthusiasts may want to take advantage of the special deal being offered for trap and skeet shooting at both the Fiocchi Shooting Sports Complex and Grandview Prairie Shooting Range — all rounds of trap and skeet at both ranges are only $2 during the entire month of August.

“We’d honestly give those rounds for free, but we need to be able to pay for the cost of the targets,” Haynes said. “If you’ve ever bought clays at the store to shoot in the backyard, you know that $2 still isn’t enough to cover the cost. I’d challenge anyone going dove hunting to come visit and spend a few bucks on a round of skeet before they hit the field this year.”

A few special events are happening at both ranges as well to celebrate the contributions of shooting sports to conservation and encourage new participants.

The Fiocchi complex will host a ladies weekend Aug. 16-17, where women can shoot at any station, including the shotgun ranges, absolutely free.

“We plan to have some instructors on the range as well to help people learn to shoot,” Haynes said. “They’ll also be available for our Family Week Aug. 6-10.”

Family Week at Mayflower means everyone shoots free on the rifle and pistol ranges, and staff will even be serving up free hot dogs, chips and drinks beginning at 10 a.m. on Aug. 9-10.

The Grandview range is hosting two special days as well. On Aug. 2 and Aug. 30, anyone over the age of 6 can shoot two rounds of trap or skeet, entirely on the AGFC.

“We’ll supply the shells, the clays and even a loaner shotgun for two rounds at the Grandview range,” Nick Adams, range manager for the AGFC, said. “We want visitors to come out and see our Grandview facility, enjoy a few games and celebrate National Shooting Sports Month with us.”

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CUTLINES:

FIRING MUZZLELOADER
Shooting sports enthusiasts will find special deals at the AGFC’s Fiochhi Shooting Sports Complex in Mayflower throughout August. AGFC photo. 

SHOOTING MODERN GUN
Excise taxes on firearms, ammunition and archery equipment are routed back to each state to pay for conservation work and support the future of hunting. AGFC photo.

LEARNING SHOTGUNS
The shooting range at Rick Evans Grandview Prairie Nature Center will join the Fiocchi Shooting Sports complex with $2-per-round trap and skeet. AGFC photo.