NJDEP’s Fish & Wildlife is pleased to announce the re-opening of the public firearm ranges located at the Colliers Mills and Stafford Forge Wildlife Management Area’s hunter training area effective Monday, March 22. The project significantly enhances both shooting opportunities and safety measures at these public facilities. Recently completed range enhancements include:

• A new covered firing line
• Colliers Mills – Eight new individual shooting stations including one ADA compliant station update with stations/range
• Stafford Forge – Six new individual shooting stations including one ADA compliant station update with stations/range
• Improved parking
• Reinforced overhead concrete baffle

New bench rests will provide a comfortable and stable base, seat and platform, so that a steady anchor point and pattern of use is provided for a shooter, thereby improving shooting accuracy. The overhead concrete baffle, which is installed in front of the bench rests, eliminates blue sky or the area the shooter sees above the target or backstop. By preventing the shooter from seeing above a certain height, baffles eliminate the likelihood that bullets will travel over the backstop area.

The improvements made at these ranges create a safe and user-friendly experience for adults and youth alike, and allow Fish and Wildlife to provide additional shooting opportunities to the public including the use of centerfire ammunition up to and including.30 caliber. This work is made possible with state dedicated conservation dollars and revenue from the federal Wildlife Restoration Program generated from the purchase of hunting and target shooting equipment. The public’s participation in hunting and the shooting sports supports conservation.

We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding for any inconvenience the construction presented. We are committed to providing public facilities that support hunter education training and recreational shooting sports needs, and will continue to enhance all agency ranges where conditions permit.

The Colliers Mills WMA public shooting range is located off Colliers and Hawkin Road:
Colliers Mills WMA Map

The Stafford Forge WMA public shooting range is located off Route 539 south of Warren Grove:
Stafford Forge WMA Map

Other Fish and Wildlife ranges which can accommodate centerfire ammunition up to and including .30 caliber are found on the Hunter Training Areas page. Agency ranges are open seven days per week, 8:00 a.m. to sunset.

Hunter Training Areas