Gun clubs and guests...

[Mastrogiacomo]

I was looking to join the Danvers Fish and Games gun club in my area. I expected to take a friend along to shoot but when I asked about their policy on bringing a guest -- only twice a year... I can't believe this, and no family membership either and open only from 9-3. What if I'm working? When can I get to the club during those hours except Saturday?

I'm now checking out the Andover Sporting club -- are all clubs this unfriendly towards guests? What about the hours -- typical?

 

[E357]

My club is just the opposite. We encourage guests and families. If they have a trailer and would like to shoot in a match (after a long drive) they are welcome to stay overnight on the range, etc.

Elliot
S.E. Florida

 

[12GA]

My club is just the opposite. We encourage guests and families.

Yup, same here.

 

[El Tejon]

A guest may visit twice a year. Hours 8 am to 10 pm. However, we are a long drive from Boston.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

Did some looking around and asked my former NRA teacher about the Andover sporting club where he took me to shoot. A guest may come at any time, range indoors is open 24 hours a day. The outdoor range is from 9 in the morning until dark. Guess where I'm going to seek membership....

 

[Henry Bowman]

Family membership. 2 guests at a time. Open 'till dark (trap & skeet is lighted). Local indoor range open 'till 10 every night.

About 2.5 hours closer than El Tejon.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

Wow...that is a sweet deal...

 

[raveon59]

Read It & Weep Boys-My club has to be the best...Kinderhook Sportsman Club-Every member gets a key to the front gate-come and go as you please....it has a great little lodge with a fireplace and member stocked entertainment equipment and furniture, a kitchen with a stocked refer-honor box for at cost payment of food and drink-and a his & hers...it has a pistol range with an enclosed/heated fireing building, a 3d rifle range-100yd, a clay stand and a pond for fishing...it has multiple events through out the year-end of the summer bbq is my fav but the ham and turkey shoots aint bad either...no limit on guests that I know of and family members are always welcome (a family that shoots together stays together)....the prettiest northeast woods setting you would ever want...and to top it off 4-H training center...it's a mini country club all for $35.00 per year...and every time I have been there, no one is..that has it's + & - for socializing, but it's like my own little piece of heaven......sorry, just had to tell someone...raveon59

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

Damn! Your club wins...wish they had a sister club in my area.

 

[BlkHawk73]

My club is open from 8am - sunset M-Sat and 8am- 1pm on Sun (we give the neighbors a break) Guests are allowed but we do ask that after the same person is a guest a number of times, they join - it's only $45/yr. each member has combo for gate and clubhouse.

 

[Rembrandt]

...."guest rules" are generally a result of someones previous abuse.

We once had a member (college student) who brought his (guests), rather entire dormatory out for a day of shooting. Members arrived to find around 60 people shooting and only one person was a member....needless to say the board of directors put an end to the guest policy, why should the membership pay for maintenance, insurance, and upkeep for freeloaders. We probably loose some potential new members, but we no longer have people abusing the privilege.

 

[Trebor]

"We probably loose some potential new members, but we no longer have people abusing the privilege."

You not only lost some potential new members, but the gun community lost some potentional new shooters as well. I believe the more new shooters, the better.

Granted though, 60 guests to one member at one time is excessive.

 

[keyhole]

We allow guests at our range, but ask that after a couple of visits, the become members. Like everyone says, membership helps pay for the club, and improvements.

 

[dleong]

At our range, members are allowed a maximum of two guests anytime, and there is no limit on the number of family members a club member can bring.

Each member is also required to work a minimum of eight hours each year on various range maintenance and improvement projects and tasks. Unworked hours are charged at $15/hr on top of the regular yearly membership dues.

DL