Michigan shooting range temporarily closed after reports of bullets striking house

A Michigan shooting range is temporarily closed after bullets struck a nearby house.

The state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said in a statement Thursday the North Pioneer Road shooting area would be closed for 90 days after multiple calls said bullets from the range struck a home. 

The order to close the range comes after the DNR took multiple precautions to get shooters to practice safer habits in the area. 

The department previously posted signs at the range noting where to shoot from, relocated the benches and tables and used local DNR enforcement to talk to shooters at the range about safety.

“Everyone should have the opportunity to safely enjoy Michigan’s public lands, but that opportunity comes with a responsibility to treat both the lands and other users with respect and courtesy,” DNR Director Dan Eichinger said. “We will not reopen this area to target shooting until public safety concerns have been fully addressed and rectified.”

The 90 days will be used to determine if the site should stay closed or if site improvements could fix the problem. 

Dave Lemmien, unit manager of the Traverse City Management Unit, Forest Resources Division, said the issue is with people who are shooting in an area where there is not a backstop for the bullets, Hurone Daily Tribune reported. 

“What has started occurring is people aren’t shooting down into the old gravel pit,” Lemmien said. “They want longer shots and are setting up targets on the other side of the pit instead of a straight shot downward into the bank of the gravel pit. Bullets are leaving the area and actually striking a nearby residence and outbuildings. That’s why we stepped in.”