State approves Big Arm archery range project

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is moving forward with a proposal to develop a public archery range at the Big Arm Unit of Flathead Lake State Park.

The archery range will be located on a parcel of Big Arm that is located on the west side of U.S. 93 directly across from the Park’s main entrance.

This parcel is currently utilized for dispersed hiking. This proposal takes advantage of a Pittman Robertson Act grant, administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, that is aimed at increasing public shooting sport opportunities.

The archery range will include a gravel parking lot, an entry kiosk with informational and regulatory signage, a precast vault latrine, a 30’ x 15’ covered firing line, and lockable storage for archer lessons and practice.

An archery range trail with up to 12 shooting stations will also be developed within the project area. One shooting station would include an elevated shooting platform. Shooting stations will be located to ensure safe backdrops and distances from park boundaries.

This public archery range will be a valuable amenity in Lake County and the Polson area, as there are currently no public archery ranges in that area. The nearest public range is located 41 miles north at Lone Pine State Park.

FWP has park staff who are certified National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) instructors. Thus, the archery range would provide an excellent opportunity for archery programs for children and adults.

Montana has a growing number of schools participating in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). More than 70 schools are enrolled in the program, and northwest Montana is rapidly growing its enrollment with 18 schools/programs enrolled.

Since 2019, five new schools in northwest Montana have enrolled in the program due to resources and opportunities provided by FWP and its sites, such as the archery range at Lone Pine State Park. The NASP program can be taught indoors using the school’s gymnasium or outdoors. Ranges such as the one in this proposal provide opportunities for NASP programs, trainings, and public education events that promote NASP and bowhunter education.

A draft EA was released for public comment from Nov. 10 to Dec. 10, 2021. Seven public comments were received. All issues and impact concerns raised by commenters are addressed in the decision notice.