Archery shooters have a new public range along Flathead Lake.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has completed development of the public archery range at the Big Arm Unit of Flathead Lake State Park. The range is located on the west side of U.S. Highway 93 directly across from the park’s main entrance. The archery range includes a gravel parking lot, a vault latrine, and a 30’ x 15’ covered firing line. Also, a range trail with 12 shooting stations spreads across approximately 35 acres overlooking Flathead Lake.
“We’re excited to offer this new range as a place where new archery shooters or experienced shooters can spend time practicing and becoming better with their bows,” said Amy Grout, the FWP parks and outdoor recreation manager for Flathead Lake State Park.
The range is open year-round from dawn to dusk. There is not a reservation or use fee; park entrance fees still apply.
FWP hosted a grand opening ceremony this spring with Gov. Greg Gianforte, members of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Natural Resources Department and Tribal Council, and members of the Dayton Elementary School archery team.
“Since the beginning, hunters and anglers have carried the torch for wildlife conservation in not just Montana, but across North America. But in recent times, recreational shooters have contributed significantly to wildlife conservation in terms of our public range funding,” FWP Director Dustin Temple said. “This is a little bit of those funds coming back to recreational shooters and yet another facility for us to help develop safe and ethical bowhunters.”
The archery range will provide an excellent opportunity for archery programs for children and adults. Montana has a growing number of schools participating in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). The NASP program can be taught indoors using the school’s gymnasium or outdoors. Ranges such as the Big Arm site provide opportunities for NASP programs, trainings, and public education events that promote NASP and bowhunter education.
To learn more about the new range, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/big-arm.
FLATHEAD LAKE SITE UPGRADES
This spring, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks completed upgrades at several public access sites and state parks on Flathead Lake. These upgrades are intended to improve site safety, infrastructure, and recreational opportunities.
Yellow Bay Unit of Flathead Lake State Park
A shoreline protection project is complete with the installation of a new dynamic gravel beach. This beach will protect the shoreline from erosion and improve recreational opportunities by enhancing shoreline access. A new boat dock is also installed at the site.
The Yellow Bay unit of Flathead Lake State Park is located 14 miles south of Bigfork on the eastern shore of Flathead Lake. The park includes Yellow Bay Creek and a wide, gravelly beach that is a popular location for swimming, sunbathing, and kayaking. The campground has five tent campsites that are available on a first come basis.
Learn more about Yellow Bay State Park at https://fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/yellow-bay.
Somers Beach State Park
FWP has completed the second phase of the shoreline protection project at the park with additional gravel beach shoreline installed. The park provides access to nearly a half-mile of shoreline.
Somers Beach State Park is located near the town of Somers on the north shore of Flathead Lake.
Learn more at https://fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/somers-beach.
Wayfarers Unit of Flathead Lake State Park
The boat ramp at Wayfarers has been extended, allowing for better access to Flathead Lake.
The Wayfarers unit of Flathead Lake State Park is located near Bigfork on the northeast shore of Flathead Lake.
Learn more at https://fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/wayfarers.
Woods Bay Fishing Access Site
A new floating dock that raises and lowers with lake levels is installed at this access site on Flathead Lake.
This access site is 14 miles south of Bigfork off Highway 35.
Learn more at https://myfwp.mt.gov/fishMT/explore.
