MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state Department of Natural Resources’ board has approved starting the process to establish a new public shooting range in Columbia County. County residents have been upset with shooters using parking lots at the Swan Lake and French Creek wildlife areas as makeshift ranges. The Natural Resources Board voted unanimously Wednesday to allow the DNR to re-designate part of the Mud Lake Wildlife Area as a special use zone, which will enable the agency to build a public range there and give shooters an alternative to Swan Lake and French Creek. DNR officials plan to introduce a rule package early next year that will give them the authority to prohibit specific activity on public lands such as unmanaged target shooting.
