1. Shooting hours for noncompetitive events:
Monday-Saturday, 8:00 am until 8:00 PM; Sunday, 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM (Shooters must ascertain if the two churches beyond the Club on Castle Ford Road are not in use for a wedding, funeral, etc. before opening the ranges.)
2. Shooters whose mental and/or physical functions are impaired by alcohol, narcotics, or medicines (prescription and non-prescription) are prohibited from using any of the ranges while so impaired. Members and guests under the influence of alcohol and/or narcotics are prohibited from using the Club facilities.
3. Shooters are required to exhibit and practice all general safety practices with firearms as good judgment dictates.
4. Any shooter may and should call for a “cease fire” if any situation is observed that warrants immediate action.
5. After any shooting session, all target debris should be placed in the provided trash receptacles.
6. On days other than registered competition, the use of the ranges is on a first come, first serve basis. Please be courteous to other shooters.
7. Work parties have priority over any non-registered shooting.
8. When several shooters gather for practice, one shooter should assume the position of Range Officer while practice is in session.
9. Please use only targets approved for your particular shooting. ANYONE SHOOTING OR DESTROYING CLUB PROPERTY WILL BE EXPELED FROM WATAUGA GUN CLUB.
10. It is the responsibility of each Club Member to know and follow the Rules and Safety Procedures. Ignorance is no defense.
The Watauga Gun Club is comprised of 14 individual ranges. Starting with the range on the left as you enter the gate:
This is the metal building – Quonset Hut – on the hill to the left as entering the facility. It is a rim-fire only range. Ammunition is restricted to .22 short, .22 long, and .22 long rifle only and excludes .22 magnum ammunition. The use of center-fire ammunition is prohibited because the target backstops are constructed for .22 caliber ammunition only. Center-fire ammunition will damage this structure and may injure the shooter. The distance from the edge of the concrete pad to the target line is 50 feet. Do all shooting from the pad and no closer. Targets are suspended from the wire in the target backstop by clothespins or a similar device. DO NOT PLACE TARGETS ON THE SANDBOX WHERE PROJECTILES FALL DEAD. Only paper targets are approved for this range. Solid objects are not permissible.
This is the open range on the left as entering the gate. Because there is not any type of physical barrier between Range #1 and the property boundary to the west, it is imperative not to place any target where a fired round would exit our property line to the west. This range is closed except with special permission from the membership and/or WGC Executive Committee for sanctioned state pistol events.
This is the next range on the left as entering the gate, to the right of Range #1. Any rim-fire or center-fire firearm may be used on this range. Maximum target engagement distance is 35 yards on the left side of the bay or 75 yards on the right side of the bay. Do not place any target on the ground to be fired at as a ricochet can/will strike the Quonset Hut. All targets must be placed so that all rounds will impact into the banked backstop. It is the shooter’s responsibility to control the recoil forces of the firearm and prevent direct fire at the Rim-fire Facility (Quonset Hut) or above it. This range is closed when the Rim-Fire Facility is in use, or otherwise occupied. Local law enforcement departments use this range for their mandatory training. Do not remove, rearrange, or change the training equipment.
This range is located in the first covered structure to the left of the clubhouse and has a concrete table from which to shoot. All shots should be directed into the mountainside directly downrange so that all shots are parallel to the range centerline, which is perpendicular to the center of the concrete table and extends to the mountainside. The primary purpose of this range is to sight-in rifles and handguns up to ranges of 100 yards. After the center-fire rifle is sighted in at 100 yards, subsequent practice shooting at 100 yards should be done on the Bench Rest Range. Thereby freeing this range for sight-in purposes and practice shooting (plinking) at target placement of less than 100 yards, generally by .22 caliber rim-fire rifles. For targets placed 50 yards or closer, place target at a height that will ensure the projectile will impact directly into the mountainside backstop. Targets positioned at a distance greater than 50 yards can be placed lower, but should be avoided if possible. This range is closed if Trap Range #1 is in use.
This is the trap range located adjacent to and in front of the Sight-In Range. This trap range is normally used in competitive events and is operated by designated range staff only. The trap machine used for this range can be adjusted to throw either single or double targets. Consequently, access to this requires orientation and demonstrated proper usage by a senior trap staff member. Trap Range #1 is closed if the Sight-In Range is in use beforehand and as long as the Sight-In Range in use as described previously.
This range is located at the end of the Sight-In Range and is used only during approved competitive events. DO NOT use this range for informal practice or “plinking.”
This range is located to the right of Trap Range #1. The trap machine is automatic and well suited for individuals and small groups to conduct practice sessions. This machine is also used in all competitive events. Do not attempt to use this trap machine until orientation and instruction on its operation have been given and proper usage can be demonstrated to a senior club member or official.
This trap range is located next to Trap Range #2. It is used in competitive events mostly. Either a manual or an automatic trap machine is installed in this house. Do not attempt to use this trap machine until orientation and instruction on its operation have been given and proper usage can be demonstrated to a senior club member or official.
This is the long covered shed located in the southeast corner of the gun club. This range has 20 individual tables to set-up and fire rifles. This range has marked firing points at 100, 200, and 300 yards. Targets may not be placed less than 100 yards from the bench-rest tables. This restriction will prevent a ricochet off a metal target rack from injuring anyone on any of the ranges to the left of this rifle range. It also will prevent damage to trap houses #3 and #4. Shooting at less than 100 yards should be done on the Sight-In Range or set-up can be done back from the 100-yard marker. There is no physical barrier along the east boundary (parallel to the creek), so great care should be taken to place targets so that any and all rounds stay within the club’s property boundaries and especially not escaping our property line to the east. Be aware of any metal objects behind and downrange of targets. This range is closed whenever Trap Ranges #3 and #4 are in use.
This is the fourth trap range located to the right of Trap Range #3 traveling east. All rules that apply to Trap Range #3 apply to this range.
These pistol ranges are located on the northeast area of the club’s ranges. These ranges are only used for approved competitive events. All rules governing the other pistol ranges also apply to these ranges.
Camper hookups are located on the southeast corner of the property are used only during approved competitive events. A usage fee is charged.
The Glenn Miller Clubhouse is centrally located to all the ranges as entering the gate. It is a well-equipped facility with men’s and women’s restrooms, complete kitchen, vending refreshments, telephone (local calls only). A wood stove when needed heats the main meeting room. Both restrooms and the office are heated by electricity so it is necessary to keep the doors to these areas closed during the winter months. An electronic chronograph and spotting scope are kept in the office and are available for use by club members. Contact a club official for use.
In the past lots of different targets have been used and some have had the potential for creating serious injury to the shooter as well as damage to Club property. It is the shooter’s responsibility to come prepared for a shooting session with the proper target equipment. Just as a shooter must remember to bring the firearm, ammunition, ear and eye protections, etc., the shooter must also bring targets, a suitable target holder, and some means of affixing the target to the holder.
a. Paper Targets. Paper targets can range from commercially manufactured targets to homemade ones.
b. Reaction Targets. These types of targets are the “steel” reaction targets or any other type which “reacts” when struck by a bullet. Other suitable types are limited but include bowling pins or plastic jugs filled with water. The metal reaction targets, which the Club has, are large and small pepper-poppers, falling plates, and fixed plates. These targets are made of mild-steel plates and can be damaged if the following rules are not strictly followed.
· Eye protection is mandatory for shooters and bystanders.
· Do not engage a metal target at a distance closer than 10 meters (11 yards or 12 large paces).
· Always stand at a point perpendicular to the target surface. Do not fire at the targets at an angle, as a ricochet of a large portion of the projectile will result.
· Only the following caliber’s may be used on the metal reaction targets: .22 caliber rim-fire, any handgun caliber commonly used in USPSA/USDPA type competition, any handgun caliber commonly used for self-defense, and any shotgun gauge with birdshot only. DO NOT USE and center-fire rifle round, any handgun round used to harvest large game, or any shotgun round of buckshot or solid projectile.
· If the metal target is designed to fall when struck, do not prop, wedge, or adjust the target to remain standing after being struck. Preventing the target from reacting will result in a dangerous ricochet and damage to the target.
c. Cardboard Targets. USDA targets can be purchased from the USDA Club Range Officer, or fashioned from a cardboard box. Masking tape or pasters are commonly used to cover shot holes. Dispose of these targets in the dumpster when finished.
d. Unauthorized Targets. There are numerous types of objects, which must not be used as a target or a target holder. Concrete blocks, bricks, rocks, bowling balls, and containers of paint or pitch are not suitable as targets. Likewise, trash cans, barricade props, and stage props are not suitable for use as target holder or backing. Good common sense is all that is necessary to determine what can be used as a target or target holder. Always remember that this is your range. Do not abuse your property. Come prepared with appropriate target material.
a. Clay Bird Targets. Once you have received instruction in the use of the trap machines, the choice of targets is very simple; standard clay trap disc, available from the Club, or retail sporting/gun stores such as K-Mart or Wal-Mart.
b. Unauthorized Targets. There is only one target approved or authorized for use in the trap machines. It is the ATA Official clay bird target. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES use any other type of object as a target to be thrown by the trap machine. Severe damage to the trap machine will result.
a. Paper Targets. As with pistol targets, rifle targets can be easily made or can be purchased. When finished with your shooting session, please dispose of any target debris to keep the range clean.
b. Reaction Targets. There are few targets suitable for use as reaction targets on the rifle range. Plastic containers filled with water, bowling pins, and clay birds placed on a backstop bank are a few reaction targets which are suitable for this range.
c. Target Holders. There are several devices which are suitable for this range. One design is the metal real estate sign, and a specifically designed one is sold at most sporting stores. Another design is used for pistol targets, having a metal holder with wooden uprights onto which a cardboard back is stapled.
d. Unauthorized Targets. Do not use steel (metal) reaction targets, concrete blocks, bricks, rocks, or any object similar to these. Do not use any range prop, trashcan, or similar objects to fasten a target to. Be aware of the area behind and beyond the target and of any damage that might result after the projectile passes through the target.