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Recreational Safety and Hunter Education
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The DNR-staffed Pontiac Lake shooting range offers a safe shooting environment for you and your friends and family, with customer-friendly, highly trained employees and amenities like a handgun range and modern restrooms.
You will notice continued improvements to our ranges. These renovations are funded by grants through the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
7800 Gale Road
Waterford, MI 48327
(Oakland County, Williams Lake Road, north of M-59, then west on Gale)
Map of Pontiac Lake Recreation Area
GPS: 42.67890N; 83.44116W
248-666-5406
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Nov. 1-15, every day
Nov. 16-Sept. 30, Thursday through Monday (closed Tuesday and Wednesday)
Oct. 1-31, Wednesday through Monday (closed Tuesday)
Range fees are $4 per shooter (cash or checks only; credit and debit cards are not accepted), age 16 and older, per day. Shooters under the age of 15 shoot free. Shooters under the age of 16 must be directly supervised by an adult.
A Recreation Passport is required for entry.
Rifle/pistol range (rifles, muzzle loaders, handguns and shotguns with slugs only)
15 stations at 100 yards
9 stations at 50 yards
6 stations at 25 yards
5 stations at 10 yards
Note: Paper targets with a bulls-eye pattern or a depiction of legal game may be used. No human-form silhouettes or metal targets. .50 Caliber BMG and larger center fire rifles and muzzle loaders larger than .80 caliber are prohibited.
Hand trap range (shotguns/clay targets)
10 stations
Note: Target and low brass shells with light loads only, 7 ½ - 9. Shooters are to bring a target thrower and clay targets.
Archery range
1 station at 40 yards
1 station at 30 yards
1 station at 20 yards
1 station at 15 yards
Note: Shooters may bring their own targets, which must be removed when finished, or use the targets provided. No broadhead arrow shooting allowed. Crossbows are allowed.
Knife range (knives and axes)
2 stations
Modern restrooms
The range is available for youth groups and hunter education programs. Please contact the range at 248-666-5406 for information and scheduling.
To see larger photos of the Department of Natural Resources Pontiac Lake Shooting Range, click on the thumbnail images below.
