Valley Girl Views: The Shooting Range At Bunker 8

Quick Links:

Map of the Pa Game Lands #252
Rules For Using the Shooting Range
Where To Order A Use Permit (If you do not have a hunting license)
About The Alvira Bunkers

Every time we hike the game lands, we discover something new. This week we took the same path we are on at least once a month (Dan has geocaches hidden there) and out of curiosity, I took a side path. It lead us around to ruins of an old bank barn. I've walked within feet of those ruins dozens of times, and never knew they were there, because I had never taken that side path before!

Then from there we explored some of the other side paths we had not yet taken -and we ended up at a shooting range. We had no idea there was a public shooting range right on the game lands that we hike almost every week. I've looked at all of the game lands maps, looked at the list of game lands with public shooting ranges - and I cannot find this one listed. But it is definitely there!

The range was in use while we were there. I believe that the roads leading back here are only open seasonally, so you would walk back to access this most of the year.

There's a pavilion with tables at the back of the range.

Everything appears to be well maintained.

There are some rules:

"For your shooting enjoyment and to make you a better hunter, the Game Commission maintains public shooting ranges across the state. Those who shoot firearms at one of the Pennsylvania Game Commission's state game lands public shooting ranges must possess and carry with them either an annual $30 range use permit or a current general hunting or furtaker license. Individuals without a range use permit or hunting or furtaker license may be fined. Each licensed hunter or range permit holder may have one guest.

Unless otherwise posted, these ranges are open year-round, from 8 a.m. until sunset, Monday through Saturday, and noon to sunset on Sundays"

To read the rules and regulations, go here:
https://www.pgc.pa.gov/HuntTrap/StateGameLands/StateGameLandsRanges/Pages/default.aspx

As for how to get there.. well, we parked at the main parking area on Alvira road (near the maintenance/food crop sheds) and walked back. There might be a closer parking area at the other end, I'm really not sure. There is a parking area near the range as well - but no cars were there, and it might be a road that is only open seasonally - we'll have to explore more another day.

Alvira Before The Bunkers

History Of Alvira & The Bunkers

The Stone Church

Shooting Range

At The Game Lands

There are frequently sunflower fields in the Game Lands, great places to take photos! Where exactly they are located changes from year to year. This was where to find them in 2020.