Byers Canyon Shooting Range
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Byers Canyon Shooting Range is part of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Hot Sulphur Springs State Wildlife Area. The {{convert|80|acre|adj=on}} facility is {{convert|7,700|ft}} above sea level on the north side of U.S. Highway 40, {{convert|4|mi|km|spell=in}} west of Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado.{{cite web |url = https://cpw.state.co.us/swa/Hot%20Sulphur%20Springs%20SWA%20-%20Byers%20Canyon%20Rifle%20Range |title = Hot Sulphur Springs SWA - Byers Canyon Rifle Range |publisher = Colorado Parks and Wildlife |access-date = November 2, 2023 }} The range is usually open from sunrise to sunset from late April until early January,{{cite web |url = https://www.skyhinews.com/news/rifle-range-nearly-doubles-capacity/ |title = Rifle range nearly doubles capacity |last = Maggart |first = Lance |work = Sky-HiNews |access-date = November 2, 2023 }} although users should check current hunting, fishing and land use regulations when planning to visit. All visitors 16 or older must have a valid hunting or fishing license or State Wildlife Area pass.
History
The state wildlife area was acquired in 1940 to provide a winter grazing area for big game animals;{{cite web |url = https://www.craigdailypress.com/news/craig-briefs-byers-canyon-shooting-range-opens-wednesday%E2%80%A8%E2%80%A8%E2%80%A8/ |title = Byers Canyon Shooting Range opens Wednesday |work = Craig Press |access-date = November 2, 2023 }} and is closed to public access from January through April so the animals may forage undisturbed through the winter.{{cite web |url = https://www.denverpost.com/2013/04/16/byers-canyon-shooting-range-reopens-to-public/ |title = Byers Canyon shooting range reopens to public |work = The Denver Post |access-date = November 2, 2023 }} The site has been used as a shooting range since the early 1970s. The facility has been developed for sighting in centerfire hunting rifles. There are nine parallel ranges with individually roofed bench rest shooting positions spaced {{convert|50|yd}} apart and separated by earthen berms so shooters may safely inspect and change targets while shooting continues on adjacent ranges. Each range has a target position at {{convert|25|yd}} for coarse sight adjustments, and target positions at {{convert|100|yd}}, and {{convert|200|yd}} for more precise adjustments and trajectory determination. The facilities have been used by approximately 10,000 vehicles annually.
Range facilities
- Archery range with straw bales
- Shotgun range
- Two-lane .22 rimfire range with {{convert|25|yd|adj=on}} and {{convert|50|yd|adj=on}} targets
- Four-lane handgun range
- Nine-lane centerfire rifle range with wheelchair access to {{convert|100|yd}}
- Public toilets