Shoot/Rifle ranges near Portage WI

[KansasSasquatch]

I'm not sure where to put this thread. Can any THR members recommend a good shooting/rifle range within an hour (maybe 1.5 hours) of Portage, Wisconsin? I'll be heading that way for work soon. I'll only be there for a few weeks but I'd rather not spend my weekends cooped up in a hotel room. So any ranges with a long process to gain membership are out of the equation.

From my searches the only ranges that look like they'd work for me are the Berlin Conservation Club, which requires membership but the membership is dirt cheap and it at least seems like you can get access immediately. And then there's Wood County Rifle Range which is free and appears to be a very basic publicly funded range. Any better suggestions?

 

[ZGunner]

I've been to the Wood County range before. I grew up in Nekoosa. Like you say, it's very basic and only goes to 100 yards. However, it is free, so folks treat it as such. The last time I saw it, about 2 years ago, it wasn't very well kept. That doesnt stop me from shooting there everytime i visit my parents.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

I've been to the Wood County range before. I grew up in Nekoosa. Like you say, it's very basic and only goes to 100 yards. However, it is free, so folks treat it as such. The last time I saw it, about 2 years ago, it wasn't very well kept. That doesnt stop me from shooting there everytime i visit my parents.

Thanks for the info. I've never been very picky when it comes to ranges. Some type of canopy is nice if it's raining but I wouldn't even say it's a requirement. All I really need is 100yards, grass cut low enough to shoot from prone w/bipod, and a berm or bullet trap.

 

[brasscollector]

Try the link below. This is the Wi DNRs web page that has an interactive map detailing the locations and information on public ranges in Wisconsin. http://dnr.wi.gov/education/outdoorskills/shootingranges/RangeLocations.html
I frequent the range at yellowstone state park which is about 40 mins from my house, likely at the 1.5hr limit for your travels. The range at yellowstone has shelters, separate pistol, 50yd and 100yd ranges and a porto-latrine. I think you should be able to find something free, perhaps even 200yds, somewhere closer to portage. There is a new range still under construction somewhere very close to Portage but that isn't going to help you in the near future.