Outdoor shooting ranges open to public

lschultz • May 8, 2020

Outdoor shooting ranges in Michigan were allowed to open their doors to the public this week per one of the governor’s newest executive orders. 

MUCC has been working on reopening outdoor ranges to the public since the beginning of the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive orders, including writing a letter to the governor’s office and legislative leaders. Shooting ranges are a vital part of many MUCC-affiliated clubs, and MUCC heard from members across the state about the closure’s financial impact on their respective clubs.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer enacted Executive Order 2020-77 on May 7, which allows, under section 10 (e), outdoor workers to resume operations under certain precautionary guidelines:

For purposes of this order, workers who perform resumed activities are defined as follows:

Subject to the enhanced social-distancing rules described in section 11(i) of this order, workers who perform work that is traditionally and primarily performed outdoors, including but not limited to forestry workers, outdoor power equipment technicians, parking enforcement workers, and outdoor workers at places of outdoor recreation not otherwise closed under Executive Order 2020-69 or any order that may follow from it.

The newest order also allows, under section 7 (a)(1),  for the public to recreate outdoors in a safe manner, including outdoor shooting ranges: 

Individuals may leave their home or place of residence, and travel as necessary: To engage in outdoor recreational activity, consistent with remaining at least six feet from people from outside the individual’s household. Outdoor recreational activity includes walking, hiking, running, cycling, boating, golfing, or other similar activity, as well as any comparable activity for those with limited mobility.

MUCC Executive Director Amy Trotter said shooting ranges have been losing significant revenue, and some have even considered closing their doors, as a result of the range closures.

“Many of MUCC’s affiliate clubs have been taking immense financial hits during this time” Trotter said. “Getting Michiganders reengaged with our outdoor spaces is a step in the right direction, and our clubs are eager to safely resume operations.”

Outdoor shooting ranges will still be subject to certain guidelines during operation outlined below:

  • All customers and employees/volunteer workers must remain 6 feet apart from each other if they do not reside in the same household. 
  • No indoor accommodations may be available to access for lounging, seating or other activities, such as clubhouses, indoor ranges, bars or restaurants. Take out food is allowed to be sold if in compliance with EO 2020-69 . 
  • Range or membership fees are encouraged to be accepted via phone, online or dropbox to the extent possible. Personal firearms, cases, and other gear from home should not be brought into the clubhouse and masks should be worn indoors. 
  • Provide or require workers/volunteers personal protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, face shields, and face masks as appropriate for the activity being performed. 
  • Adopt protocols to limit the sharing of tools and equipment to the maximum extent possible and to ensure frequent and thorough cleaning of tools, equipment, and frequently touched surfaces, especially including restrooms. No rental equipment should be provided. 

Since 1937, MUCC has united citizens to conserve, protect and enhance Michigan’s natural resources and outdoor heritage. MUCC has also been the constant protector of your rights to hunt, fish and trap since its founding. Consider joining us today: http://bit.ly/JoinMUCC

Recent Posts

August 2025 CPB Wrap-Up

By Justin Tomei • August 18, 2025
August 2025 CPB Wrap-Up 

NRC Commits to Reopening Year-Round Coyote Season

By Justin Tomei • August 15, 2025
Yesterday, the Natural Resources Commission unanimously voted via a formal resolution to reinstate Michigan’s year-round coyote hunting season ahead of the April 2026 closing of the season. This decision represents a win for Michigan’s hunters, and more importantly, sound scientific management. No changes to the wildlife conservation order (WCO) yet, but the commission approved a resolution that stated: “the Michigan Natural Resources Commission is committed to enacting a regulation for Michigan citizens to take coyotes year-round on public and private land through a combination of hunting, trapping, and lethal take of nuisance and damaging animals; and that the Michigan Natural Resources Commission is committed to acting on this matter before next regular furbearer regulation cycle in the Wildlife Conservation Order in 2026.” The vote comes after a year of work by Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) and Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association (MTPCA), who filed a lawsuit when the commission illegally closed part of the season in March of 2024. Today's vote constitutes a win for scientific management and Proposal G, but the responsibility to hold the commission to their word is now on all conservationists according to MUCC CEO Amy Trotter. “We all obviously would have preferred a resolution to the issue today,” said Trotter. “The commission has made clear to the conservationists of Michigan that they will fix the 2024 commission’s error, and the responsibility now rests with all of us to hold them to their word.” According to MTPCA President Joe Velchansky, this is a win, but not the final one. “We are closer to righting this wrong today than we were yesterday,” said Velchansky. “We will continue to work with the commission to ensure the commission makes the best decision for the resource, scientific management, and our outdoor heritage.” In February and March of 2024, the NRC, at the request of a small minority of stakeholder groups, approved an order to partially close Michigan’s coyote hunting season from April 15-July 15. The justification for the order was not biological data, or management need. Rather the commission followed emotional pleas and social perceptions, without any objective data backing up the claims, and illegally partially closed coyote season for a quarter of the year. Despite a DNR biologist's statement that the closure was put forward based on perceived social pressures, and countless pages of scientific literature being presented justifying a year-round hunting season, the season was closed. After the meeting, MUCC and MTPCA jumped into action on behalf of sound scientific management and Michigan’s hunters, anglers and trappers. A lawsuit was filed to appeal the decision and after months of trading paperwork, the final briefs were filed in November of 2024. In June of this year, a Lansing Circuit Court Judge ruled that the commission followed their charge in their decision making. Since the March 2024 vote, there has been significant turnover on the commission with four new members currently seated. Commissioner John Walters, who voted no on the closure in 2024, requested the amendment to reopen the season at the February 2025 meeting, and the order was up for information in March and delayed due to commissioner absences and bureaucratic hurdles before today’s vote. Year-round coyote hunting had been in place since the NRC adopted the measure in 2016, when Michigan joined at least 35 other states in allowing for year-round opportunity.  To learn more about MUCC visit MUCC.org To learn more about MTPCA visit MTPCA.com Contact: MUCC: Jtomei@Mucc.org MTPCA: Merlejones336@gmail.com

On the Ground: Storm Damage Relief in Oscoda County

By Olivia Triltsch • August 14, 2025
On Saturday, August 9, 2025, MUCC's OTG program partnered with the Michigan DNR and the Ruffed Grouse Society for a trail clearing project in Oscoda County.
More Posts