BENZIE COUNTY, MI – State officials have temporarily closed a Northern Michigan shooting range due to public safety concerns.
The Department of Natural Resources says the North Pioneer Road shooting area located on state forest land in Benzie County will be closed to all target shooting for at least 90 days.
According to the DNR, expanded target shooting activities in the area have created unsafe conditions for public land users and neighboring landowners in the vicinity of 2167 N. Pioneer Road, in Beulah.
Additional complaints about projectiles leaving the target shooting area and unsafe conditions, including multiple calls about “bullet strikes in a neighboring home,” have been received both by the DNR and the Benzie County Sheriff’s Department.
During the closure, department staff will evaluate next steps that would eliminate the possibility of visitors target shooting from anywhere other than specified areas.
The order comes after repeated efforts by the DNR to drive safety-conscious shooting practices at the site, including posting signs that direct visitors to shoot from the base of the hill, rather than the elevated parking area and relocating shooting benches and tables to the base of the hill and
“Public safety has to be the No. 1 concern and responsibility when it comes to outdoor recreation, especially with shooting sports,” said DNR Director Dan Eichinger.
“Everyone should have the opportunity to safely enjoy Michigan’s public lands, but that opportunity comes with a responsibility to treat both the lands and other users with respect and courtesy. We will not reopen this area to target shooting until public safety concerns have been fully addressed and rectified.”
During the 90-day period, DNR staff will work with local and county officials to evaluate opportunities for site improvements or continued closure of the area.
Anyone with questions about this temporary closure should contact David Lemmien by email at LemmienD@Michigan.gov or by phone at 231-922-6040.