Why It Matters: The recent renovations at the Hank Harmon Public Shooting Range in Juneau exemplify the enduring impact of sportsmen and women’s contributions through the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF) – a “user pays-public benefits” model that has fueled wildlife conservation for over 85 years. By channeling excise taxes from sporting goods and license fees into essential conservation infrastructure, the ASCF ensures sportsmen and women have safe, accessible venues to hone their skills while bolstering broader ecological health. This project not only enhances recreational shooting opportunities in Alaska but also underscores the vital role of bipartisan conservation policies in sustaining our natural heritage for future generations.
Highlights:
- The Hank Harmon Range upgrades, completed in summer 2025, include modernized safety baffles, expanded target lanes, and improved accessibility features funded primarily through Pittman-Robertson Act grants.
- These enhancements promote responsible firearms use, reduce environmental impacts, and increase public access, aligning with the ASCF’s mission to support hunter education and habitat conservation.
- This project highlights how the contributions of sportsmen and women directly restore and protect wildlife resources and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
In the heart of Juneau, Alaska, the Hank Harmon Public Shooting Range stands as a testament to community-driven conservation. Opened in 2012 and recently revitalized through a comprehensive renovation project completed in late June 2025, this facility has become a cornerstone for responsible recreational shooting in Southeast Alaska. The upgrades, spearheaded by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) in partnership with the City and Borough of Juneau and local sportsmen’s groups, addressed longstanding needs for enhanced safety and usability. Key improvements include the installation of state-of-the-art shooting baffles to contain noise and lead particulates, in addition to five new covered shooting stations to accommodate growing demand, and the integration of ADA-compliant pathways and benches for broader accessibility. These changes create a more welcoming space for families, novices, and seasoned marksmen alike.
Funding for the project flowed directly from the American System of Conservation Funding, a sportsmen-supported framework that has quietly powered U.S. conservation efforts since the 1930s. At its core, the ASCF operates on three pillars: revenue from hunting and fishing licenses and excise taxes under the Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937 on firearms and ammunition and the Dingell-Johnson/Wallop-Breaux Act of 1950 on fishing gear and boating supplies.
The ripple effects of the Hank Harmon renovations extend beyond the range’s 100-yard sightlines. By prioritizing erosion-control landscaping, the project also provides additional benefits like habitat management and pollution prevention, contributing to the health of nearby salmon streams and upland game habitats. Participation at the range has surged 40% since the upgrades, with youth shooting clinics drawing record numbers and fostering the next generation of stewards.
This success story mirrors national trends and efforts: Since 1939, the ASCF has distributed billions to restore and conserve wildlife populations, and expand public access for angling sites, shooting venues, and hunting lands. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) is a key advocate for the ASCF, celebrating projects like the Hank Harmon Public Shooting Range that exemplify the “user pays – public benefits” ethos, where consumptive users fund enhancements that benefit all residents, along with wildlife and habitats.
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