Take a peek at the renovated PGC Scotia Shooting Range in Halfmoon Township

Tucked within 6,500 acres of dense Pennsylvania forests in Halfmoon Township, the PGC Scotia Shooting Range has recently undergone a major facelift, revitalizing several of its most popular areas.

Members of the Pennsylvania Game Commission; State Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Rush Township; and State Sen. Wayne Langerholc, R-Cambria, attended the official opening Thursday at State Game Lands 176. The $401,000 renovations included the archery, shotgun, pistol and shooting clay ranges. Covered pavilions were added alongside new targets, additional landscaping and cement work.

“It’s so important in today’s day and age, as everybody is kind of tied to their cell phone,” Langerholc said. “We see the impact that’s having on children and how important it is to get them out and to get them to enjoy this lifelong sport and to be able to take advantage.”

Dave Mitchell, deputy director of field operations, said the new range shows the game commission’s commitment to shooting sports in the central region.

“Throughout the state, we have 40 ranges, and our goal is to have one within a reasonable drive of everybody,” Mitchell said. “So that they’re able to go out there and practice to become proficient with their weapons so that they can be more effective when hunting season comes around, and also so that they can just enjoy the recreational shooting sports.”

The renovations were paid for by funds earmarked through the Pittman-Robertson Act, which called for an 11% federal tax on firearms, ammunition and archery equipment. The funds are redistributed to state governments to help fund hunter education, wildlife conservation and shooting ranges.

“Every time someone fires an arrow or bullet down range, that money is coming back for wildlife conservation through the federal Pittman-Robertson excise tax,” Mitchell said.

The upgrades to the range are just part one of what Pennsylvania Game Commission officials hope will be a multi-phase project to improve other facilities at the Scotia Shooting Range. In the coming years, land management officer Eric Erdman said he hopes to see improvements for the rifle range and bathroom facilities as well as the addition of a 500-yard long-distance rifle range.

The archery range is open to anyone, but any firearm ranges require a valid hunting permit or a shooting range permit. Information on where to obtain permits can be found on the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s website. The range is open from 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year. Rules and regulations are posted online and at the Scotia Shooting Range.

This story was originally published August 9, 2024 at 1:46 PM.