Yilan Sifanglin Shooting Range to Establish Indigenous Hunting Rifle Training and Shooting Talent Development Base

(CNA reporter Wang Chao-yu, Yilan, June 15) Legislator Kao Chin Su-mei and other officials inspected the Sifanglin Shooting Range in Yilan County today, proposing to allocate the land for use as a safety training and talent development base for indigenous people using self-made hunting rifles, enabling tribal members to conduct rifle training in a safe and controlled environment while also creating a venue for cultivating shooting sports talent.

Non-partisan legislator Kao Chin Su-mei, Deputy Minister Kucuŋ Qalifangasan of the Council of Indigenous Peoples, representatives from the Bureau of Public Property, Yilan County Government’s Indigenous Affairs Division, and Education Division visited the Sifanglin Shooting Range today.

The Sifanglin Shooting Range is located in Hanxi Village, Datong Township, Yilan County. According to a briefing by the Council of Indigenous Peoples, the base will include two plots: Hanxi Section 411-1 and Hanxi Section 1233, both state-owned under the Bureau of Public Property and zoned as a hillside conservation area. Currently, plot 411-1 is operated by the Yilan County Shooting Promotion Association under commission and is planned to become the training base. Plot 1233 is currently mixed woodland and will be developed into a hunting scenario training field.

Regarding the timeline for land allocation, the Council of Indigenous Peoples stated that the land transfer procedures and planning/design bidding are expected to take 2.5 months. Legalization procedures, including land use change or development permits, soil and water conservation engineering, and various reviews, are estimated to take 2.5 years. Base construction, including improvements to shooting facilities, and construction of offices, guard rooms, dormitories, and classrooms, is expected to take 1.5 to 2 years. Operations will commence once land legalization and construction are completed.

The Council emphasized that the land allocation will follow relevant state property regulations to ensure legal compliance. The subsequent establishment of the training base will follow the Indigenous Peoples Basic Law and the Regulations on Consultation and Obtaining Consent from Indigenous Tribes, fully respecting tribal opinions and rights.

Additionally, the Council plans to conduct 40 training sessions this year, reaching 2,000 participants across northern, central, southern, and eastern Taiwan. The training will be contracted to professional vendors and the procurement notice was posted on June 1. The curriculum includes traditional hunting culture, laws related to self-made hunting rifles, and practical training in rifle operation, maintenance, and shooting. The Council will arrange meals and accommodations to reduce the burden on trainees. (Edited by Li Heng-shan) 1150615