The Wildlife Restoration-funded archery range is the first of its kind in New York State. Article courtesy New York DEC.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the opening of the Saratoga Sand Plains Archery Range in the town of Wilton, Saratoga County. The public archery range, formally known as Parcel 45 Wildlife Management Area, is the first of its kind in New York State and will provide a unique recreational opportunity for both novice and expert bow hunters and archers.
“DEC’s first-ever archery range, Saratoga Sand Plains will encourage more New Yorkers to take up archery as a sport and help prepare hunters for the hunting season,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “New and experienced bow and crossbow users will appreciate this opportunity to enjoy the recreational aspects of New York’s archery heritage. The range will also benefit the local community, and DEC thanks the town of Wilton and our other partners for their help to develop and open this new facility.”
The 50-yard archery range has 16 targets, eight adult lanes ranging from 15 to 50 yards, four youth lanes ranging from five to 20 yards, and four lanes accessed by an elevated platform ranging up to 40 yards. The elevated platform simulates shots from a tree stand when deer hunting and allows archers to practice shots from known yardages and angles, promoting safer shot placements for both urban and rural settings. Archers must use a full body harness and connect to the carabiners on the platform while using the elevated stand.
The archery range was designed to be suitable for families with children and seniors. The 700-foot-long access path that extends from the gravel parking lot to the archery range is a compacted natural surface of forest leaf litter that provides a firm and mostly level entry with a slope of less than four percent. The range was funded with approximately $15,000 with support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Program (leaves DEC’s website), New York State, and the town of Wilton. DEC worked closely with the town of Wilton on all phases of the project. The town donated time and materials, and town equipment helped clear trees and stumps, build the parking area, and construct the elevated platform.
“Wildlife Restoration funding is an important resource for state fish and wildlife agencies to provide safe and clean public target shooting opportunities,” said Richard Zane, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist who advised DEC on this project. “These target ranges are great places for families to participate in outdoor activities and are important in local communities and youth programs as well.”
Wilton Town Supervisor John Lant said, “This archery park is a great amenity to have for the sport enthusiast in our area and for the residents of Wilton. It has been a pleasure working with DEC on this project.”
Wilton Director of Planning and Engineering Ryan Riper said, “The archery project is an example of a successful joint effort between DEC and the municipality for the benefit of the community. Both entities have been working over the last couple years to bring this into fruition. I hope this project will foster other like-minded recreational enhancements in our area for the public enjoyment.”
The archery range is close to several schools that participate in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) and is a convenient location for the Saratoga County 4H Shooting Sports Program and DEC’s bowhunter education classes.
The former Parcel 45 Wildlife Management Area received heavy use from firearm target shooters. Melissa Neely, Senior Wildlife Biologist and Regional Hunter Education Coordinator for DEC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife Resources, redesigned the parcel to create a safe recreational area for the community while prioritizing hunters and archers. The Saratoga Sand Plains Archery Range is now designated as a safety zone prohibiting the use of firearms.
The archery range is open and maintained year-round for public use.