Ontario Ranges (GTA east specifically)

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Maximus23

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Hi everyone, I recently took both CFSC and CRFSC to get into the shooting sport, but I cannot find any range that seems to be accepting new members...they're all closed or MASSIVE wait lists. Oshawa club, Marksman, Orono, where else is there a range that is open to accepting new members? It is very discouraging, and for newbies, how is anyone supposed to get into the sport when nowhere is available? It is stuff like this that discourages people from taking the course, and having an interest in the sport. Thanks to all who respond.
 
Maximus23 said:
Hi everyone, I recently took both CFSC and CRFSC to get into the shooting sport, but I cannot find any range that seems to be accepting new members...they're all closed or MASSIVE wait lists. Oshawa club, Marksman, Orono, where else is there a range that is open to accepting new members? It is very discouraging, and for newbies, how is anyone supposed to get into the sport when nowhere is available? It is stuff like this that discourages people from taking the course, and having an interest in the sport. Thanks to all who respond.
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You could try The Grange at Target Sports or the Aurora Gun Club.....
 
It's not East of the GTA but The Sportsmens Club Galt is accepting new members and there are many people joining from the East.

They have 265 Acres with 25-200 yard Handgun/Restricted, 25-200 Yard Rifle, Indoor, Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays ranges plus Archery and Fishing sections.

It's a bit of a drive from the East side but it is also a great club.
 
I am out in Oshawa, so I wasn't sure what would be reasonably close, but it looks like I will be way out of town anyway.
 
SelectShootingSupplies said:
It's not East of the GTA but The Sportsmens Club Galt is accepting new members and there are many people joining from the East.

They have 265 Acres with 25-200 yard Handgun/Restricted, 25-200 Yard Rifle, Indoor, Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays ranges plus Archery and Fishing sections.

It's a bit of a drive from the East side but it is also a great club.
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Galt sportsman club is accepting all disciplines EXCEPT rifle. Those books are closed. I inquired just last week. Just a heads up.
 
Peterborough Fish & Game Association, East of Peterborough : Peterborough Revolver Club, South of Peterborough : Union Rod & Gun out 115/35 way : Port Perry Gun Club (talk to Williams Arms): don't know their current situations on new members right now.
 
There is a real opportunity here to run a succesfull business, like Grange and Silverdale. The pent up demand for a convenient shooting facility is huge. I pay a very large annual fee to the Grange, double or triple what most people pay for their gun clubs, just for access to pistol shooting. A range with multiple disciplines that was a similar distance from Toronto would easily be able to charge the same or more, and have no shortage of customers.
 
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I feel your pain Maximus23,I have been waiting 2 years for something to open up in the east end and may eventually end up joining Galt. I have heard a lot of good reports on the club. In the meanwhile try Silverdale on the weekends.
 
Wakeboarder said:
Galt sportsman club is accepting all disciplines EXCEPT rifle. Those books are closed. I inquired just last week. Just a heads up.
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Not entirely true, I am not suggesting that you were not told that but it is not 100% correct.

The Rifle section has a membership cap, that much is true. but they review the membership regularly and clear the waiting list as often as possible. Just last month they cleared the waiting list to zero and some people had only been on the list a week. The list usually clears every few months or so but there is no guarantee as to how long or short the wait will be.

If you only want to shoot non-restricted rifles then yes this will be an issue for you. If you shoot restricted's the handgun section is accepting members as are all other sections which you can use while you are on the waiting list for rifle, you just won't be able to shoot your rifle until you clear the list.
 
You need to put yourself on wait list at all of the clubs mentioned above. You should also know that a lot of these clubs don't take members on a 1st come 1st serve basis. Experience goes a long way.

I would suggest that you look into taking courses in as many shooting sports as you can. IDPA or look at the IPSC Ontario site for a black badge course near you. Check out the ORA website. They are offering a precision rifle course this wknd at Borden this wknd. Join the NFA or CSSA as well. most of those clubs will require that anyways. These tips may help you get a leg up over other new shooters.

Btw, with two post, why is your post count still at zero?
 
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Maximus - you might want to indicate what sort of shooting you want to do. Do you want a casual range on which to shoot occasionally, or are you interested n some specific activity?
How far are you prepared to drive?
 
Canadian_Zuk said:
I think Union is accepting members and they are not too far from you. They're on the 4th concession East of the 115
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It's on the 3rd. The old range off the 4th has been closed for some time. If you are interested in joining there, show up on a Sunday and talk to people. It is most definitely NOT a first come first served type waiting list. Show up the first day and leave anything but a shot gun at home. You will be invited to shoot trap if you are interested. Talk to the guys and see if it suits you. Then ask about joining.
 
Shoot non restricted/restricted rifle, shotgun and pistol, nothing specific as to the activity as getting in somewhere to begin with is step number one. I am not a hunter, so I would be strictly a ragne guy unless I change my mind sometime.
 
Not sure why still at zero. Still pretty new, so not sure what courses are offered and where, just want to begin as a casual shooter and go from there...
 
Your joining a club, not a range and you're living with about 9 million neighbours. Hard to find a club with rifle facilities anywhere near TO. Like Tiriaq says, how far will/can you drive?
CFB Borden's Rod and Gun Club used to take civilian members. Don't know if they still do. Taking the drive New and Novice mentions about ORA shooting is a good idea. Rifle only and it's not a case of going whenever you feel like it. You may want to look East too.
Your post count only goes up by posting on the other forums. Don't think it moves on this one. Not important anyway.
 
SelectShootingSupplies said:
Not entirely true, I am not suggesting that you were not told that but it is not 100% correct.

The Rifle section has a membership cap, that much is true. but they review the membership regularly and clear the waiting list as often as possible. Just last month they cleared the waiting list to zero and some people had only been on the list a week. The list usually clears every few months or so but there is no guarantee as to how long or short the wait will be.

If you only want to shoot non-restricted rifles then yes this will be an issue for you. If you shoot restricted's the handgun section is accepting members as are all other sections which you can use while you are on the waiting list for rifle, you just won't be able to shoot your rifle until you clear the list.
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Hmmmm. It would have been nice to have been told that when I phoned and spoke to the lady who answered. Maybe she should let people know this? It made my decision to join a different club based on this (which I was added to a wait list). I have no problem with being on a wait list with the end goal of being accepted p, but she made it seem as though the books were closed, no new membership for rifle. I do like the facilities Galt offers as well as the 200 yard rifle range. Oh well...
 
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