MassWildlife will open temporary public archery ranges on Wildlife Management Areas across the state this summer and fall. Grab your equipment and sign up for a range pass at one of 6 locations.

If you have your own archery equipment but don't have a great place to practice, try out one of MassWildlife’s free ranges this summer. Six archery ranges will be set up at different dates on Wildlife Management Areas:

• Ayer Game Farm, Ayer (June 13 – October 24)
• Erwin Wilder WMA, Norton/Taunton (June 13 – October 24)
• George L. Darey Housatonic Valley WMA, Lenox (June 13 – September 28)
• High Ridge WMA, Westminster (June 13 – September 28)
• Southampton WMA, Southampton (June 13 – September 28)
• Wayne F. MacCallum WMA, Westborough (June 13 – September 28)

To use the range, you must obtain a range pass for 2025. Complete an application to receive a confirmation email that serves as your range pass. If you had a range pass last year, please complete the application again for 2025.

Range rules

While these ranges will be monitored, they are unstaffed. Range visitors must bring their own equipment and follow all rules while on the range. These rules will also be posted at the range.

Rules:

• Must have a valid access pass to use this range.
• Always walk when moving about the range. No running.
• Arrows with target points only can be used. No broadheads.
• Transport arrows safely in a bow case or quiver until at the shooting line and ready to shoot.
• Shoot only at the targets in your shooting lane.
• Straddle the shooting line while shooting. Keep one foot in front and one foot behind the line. Never stand ahead of the shooting line while anyone is shooting.
• Be certain the range is clear before nocking your arrow.
• Keep nocked arrows pointed down or towards the target at all times.
• No more than six arrows may be shot before the arrows are retrieved.
• Step back from the shooting line when done shooting and rack or case your bow.
• Only walk down range to retrieve arrows when all archers have racked or cased their bows.
• Confirm that shooting has stopped by making eye contact with other archers and say loudly CLEAR before proceeding down range.
• Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol is prohibited from the range.