Trap/Skeet only Sat, Sun, Wed!?

Empir3

Empir3

Regular
Rating - 100%
52   0   0
Location
Orangeville, Ontario
Is there any specific reason that most of the clubs I talk to in the GTA and north only have clays shooting on Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday, but rifle and handgun ranges are mostly 24/7?

My weekends are shot (no pun intended :p) due to the fact I work in the real estate business, so that would only leave me Wednesdays to shoot, if I had time mid week. Are there any GTA/north area clay clubs that offer 7 days a week or when ever I have time to shoot flexibility?

For a follow up question, I am looking to join my first club and in need of some input. What are some of the better options for clubs within say, an hour or so from Richmond Hill? Perhaps clubs that offer all disciplines, even though I am only working with a shotgun, and most interested in clays at the moment. I am currently leaning towards Toronto International Trap and Skeet and/or Barrie Gun Club, but other suggestions/opinions are what I am looking for =)

Thanks in advance,

Derek
 
Last edited:
I'm not sure that there are many 24/7 rifle ranges. More like dawn to dusk in most places.

Running clay shooting requires a little more effort than a rifle or handgun range. Equipment needs to be maintained and operated, clays need to be provided and kept track off. This is either done by volunteers, paid employees or a combination of both. Thus clubs will operate when there are the greatest number of shooters available usually weekends and one afternoon/evening a week.

In your location the club I'd join is Uxbridge. It's clays only but a very good club. Oshawa has a rifle range and excellent clays but is slightly further.

Here's a link where more info can be found about Oshawa and Uxbridge.

http://www.gagnonsports.com/clubs.html
 
The reason clubs are open for trap and skeet only a few days a week is that they need people to oversee the operation, the skeet and trap machines can cost up to 10K and you don't want anyone mucking with them or shooting up the houses or each other. The rifle range is a dif. story as they can be used without manpower in charge for the most part.
 
Skeet. trap and 5 stand have machines that require someone to look after them. At BGC we have a number of openers who open the place, fill the machines, collect the money and lock everything up on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesday afternoons. With just those days covered, we have quite a time getting RELIABLE openers who show up when they say they will.

I am one of the openers who sets the 5stand course on Wednesdays and Saturdays at BGC. It usually takes me 90 minutes to set up the 5 stand and about a half hour to take it down. I'm usually there every Saturday morning by 7:30 and we are ready to go by 9:00 AM. So far, I'm the only one who is willing to do the work on a regular basis, and I go to Florida for the winter so.... We'll be back up with the 5 stand by next Saturday, I hope.

We have just purchased a Long Range wireless release system which will make it easier. All in all we have about $40,000 invested in our 5 stand set up and we don't want it broken because of well intentioned, but untrained people. As well, working with the 5 stand machines can be very dangerous if great care isn't taken. Standing in front of a cocked trap machine can be a dangerous proposition.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom