MADISON (WKOW) — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is closing two 25-foot handgun ranges in southern Wisconsin due to safety issues.

The closures are happening at the Columbia County range in Poynette and the Yellowstone Lake range in Fayette in Lafayette County.

The DNR says the closures are necessary for the protection of the public.

“As part of continuous safety monitoring, it was realized the backstops at the 25-foot handgun ranges at the Columbia County and Yellowstone Lake facilities were becoming degraded by excessive use,” the DNR says in a news release.

The gun ranges will likely be closed throughout the winter. The DNR says they will reopen if the agency is confident in the safety of the design. In that case, the ranges will likely have new use limitations and designs.