Hartland, Vt. – The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is temporarily closing its Hammond Cove Shooting Range in Hartland to public use while facility improvements and new operation rules are being completed.

The closure will begin on Wednesday, May 6.

Planned upgrades include improved acoustic tiling in the covered shooting ports, the installation of security cameras and access road work.

"As the only publically accessible shooting range in Vermont, Hammond Cover has seen more use than we ever anticipated," said Louis Porter, commissioner of Fish & Wildlife. "These renovations and revised range rules will help reduce noise and moderate usage to a manageable level."

The department expects the range to re-open in early summer.

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Media Contact: Commissioner Louis Porter, 802-828-1454