Drumheller & District Shooters Association
Range Rules

SECTION 1 – GENERAL

These Range Operating Instructions cover the use of the range facility operated by the Drumheller & District Shooters Association. All Members are designated Safety Officers (SO) and all range users are required to read and sign these Range Operating Instructions yearly. Requests for exemptions from any of the provisions given in these Range Operating Instructions shall be submitted in writing to the Range Operator for approval.

Revisions

These Range Operating Instructions have been published and revised on the dates listed below:

  • Original publication – August 1, 200X

SECTION 2 – RANGE FACILITY

Range Descriptions

The range facility has multiple ranges. A description of each operational range is listed below:

  • Rifle Range A
    Description: 300 m rifle range
    No. Firing Points: 12 (11 bench, 1 prone)
    Firing Distances: 25, 50, 100, 200, and 300 metres
    Approved Firearms: Bolt action and semi-automatic rifles
    Maximum Approved Calibres: .338 Lapua Magnum NO .50BMG
    Approved Targets: Paper targets and range operator provided steel reactive target(s)
    Approved Ammunition: FMJ, SP and lead RN – No incendiary, tracer, steel core, or armour piercing bullet designs
  • Pistol Range B
    Description: 25 m handgun
    No. Firing Points: 4
    Firing Distances: Variable firing line, from 7 to 50 metres
    Approved Firearms: rimfire & centre-fire handguns, all types,
    Maximum Approved Calibres: .357 S&W Magnum
    Approved Targets: Paper targets
    Approved Ammunition: FMJ, SP and lead RN – No incendiary, tracer, steel core, or armour piercing bullet designs
  • Pistol Range C
    Description: 25 m handgun
    No. Firing Points: 4
    Firing Distances: Variable firing line, from 7 to 50 metres
    Approved Firearms: rimfire & centre-fire handguns, all types,
    Maximum Approved Calibres: .357 S&W Magnum
    Approved Targets: Paper targets
    Approved Ammunition: FMJ, SP and lead RN – No incendiary, tracer, steel core, or armour piercing bullet designs
  • Archery Range
    Description: 75 m archery range
    No. Firing Points: 2
    Firing Distances: 75 metres
    Approved Firearms: Bows, any type

SECTION 3 – PERSONNEL

  1. Safety Officer
    • All members utilizing the range are safety officers and have authority to conduct authorized shooting practices and matches on the range property. If more than one member (SO) is present, an SO must be designated.
    • SO’s have the responsibility to supervise all personnel (shooting and non-shooting alike) present on the property and reserve the right to have members and/or non-members removed at their discretion.
    • All members (SO’s) must address any rule infractions and inform the Executive Team of the infraction, with date, time, individual committing the infraction (membership #), and the infraction witnessed.
    • If there are multiple shooters, a range officer must be appointed and obeyed.
  1. Guests and Spectators
    • While we encourage guests, members abusing this privilege will have their membership revoked.
    • Guests must be under the direct supervision of their sponsor at all times, and must sign into the Guest book with their name and ID number of member.
    • We are allowed 10 Guest members per year with a maximum of 2 Guest at a time.
    • PLEASE REMEMBER TO SIGN IN SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE INSURANCE FOR OUR GUESTS

SECTION 4 – RANGE OPERATIONS

  1. Access
    • The access gate to the range must be locked at all times.
    • Only events sanctioned by the Executive Team, or scheduled work bees can close the range to members.
    • Member identification card must be on your person at all times when on range facility.
  1. Flags
    A RED flag must be flown from the flag pole at the main entrance when firing is being conducted on any range within the facility. Additionally, each range has specific flags that must be flown when in use. They are:

    • RIFLE RANGE
      • RED flag at the signage board; remove when all firing has ceased.
      • RED flag at the firing line; green flag when firing has ceased.
    • PISTOL RANGE A
      • RED flag at the shelter; remove flag when firing has ceased.
    • ARCHERY RANGE
      • RED flag at the table; remove flag when firing has ceased.
  1. Firing Line Safety
    ABSOLUTELY NO handling of firearms while people are downrange!
    NO FIRING FROM IN FRONT OF THE FIRING LINE NO EXCEPTIONS. ie NO CLOSE QUARTER DRILLS 

    • RIFLE RANGE
      • Muzzle direction must be in a safe direction and/or downrange at all times while on the range, UNLESS, when a cease fire is declared, all firearms must be unloaded, PROVED safe, and stored upright in vertical racks.
      • Pistols are allowed to be fired on the rifle range from behind the firing line only.
      • When the green flag is raised ALL firearms including pistols must be stored behind the firing line.
    • PISTOL RANGE A
      • Muzzle direction must be in a safe direction and/or downrange at all times while on the range, UNLESS, PROVED safe, and bolstered, or cased.
  1. Targets
    Only Drumheller & District Shooters Association approved paper targets, as described below, may be used:

    • RIFLE RANGE – Paper, or DDSA approved & supplied steel reactive targets
    • PISTOL RANGE A – Paper
    • ARCHERY RANGE – Paper, archery blocks/bags, or 3D targets

At no time can glass, bottles, pop cans, plastic, rocks or similar targets be used on the range facility.

Absolutely no Tannerite/Explosive Targets.

Paper targets must be placed on the provided backstops in such a way to prevent damage to supports. At no time can targets be placed on the containment berm’s, hills, ground or posts.

Targets must be elevated so that ONLY THE BACKSTOP is visible below and behind the target from the shooting position’s line of sight. If the ground in front of the backstop is visible below and/or behind the target, it is too low. All targets need to be elevated off of the ground. ALL TARGETS MUST BE LOCATED IN FRONT OF A MAN MADE BACKSTOP (ie: dirt mound).

  1. Log Book
    All members and guests must sign in PRIOR to proceeding to range. There are no exceptions. Attendance records must be kept for each person using the range.
  1. Ammunition
    • All spent cartridge cases must be collected and disposed of in containers provided or removed from the range.
    • The use of tracer, incendiary, steel core, explosive or similar ammunition is prohibited.
    • Only authorized calibres and types of ammunition may be used on any range.
  1. Permitted Arcs of Fire
    The maximum permitted arcs of fire for each range are listed below:

    • RIFLE RANGE
      • Plus or minus (+/-) 1 firing point at all distances.
    • PISTOL RANGE A
      • +/- 1 firing point beyond 20 m.
      • +/- 3 firing points between 5 m and 20 m firing line.
    • ARCHERY RANGE
      • +/- 1 firing point at all ranges.
  1. Firing
    The following firing guidelines are applicable to all ranges on the complex:

    • No firing before 9 AM and no firing 10 minutes after sunset, no firing after 9 PM.
    • No firing can occur whenever conditions impair visibility. (fog/snow/darkness)
    • Loaded firearms shall never be left unattended.
  1. Firearm Type Approvals (By Range)
    Shotguns and Shot Shells are NOT permitted to be used on the property under any circumstances. This is a property use condition and cannot be changed.
    The following firearms types are approved for use on the ranges as indicated.

    • RIFLE RANGE
      • Bolt action and semi-automatic rifles. Up to .338 Laupua Magnum maximum caliber.
    • PISTOL RANGE A
      • Centre-fire and rim-fire calibre handguns, No rifles or rifle caliber pistols.
    • ARCHERY RANGE
      • Bows, all types
  1. Explosives
    The detonation of explosive devices is prohibited on the range property.
  1. Firearm Inspection Areas
    Located on Ranges B and C are areas designed for the safe inspection of loaded or unloaded firearms. They are noted by signs stating, “Caution: Firearm Inspection Area.” All firearms arriving at the range must be cleared at the firearm inspection area or remain cased and then cleared on an active firing line by an RO.

    • RIFLE RANGE
      • Not applicable.
    • PISTOL RANGE A
      • The inspection area is a table placed at the rear corner of the pistol bay.
    • ARCHERY RANGE
      • The inspection area is the table provided on the range.
  1. Hunting
    Hunting on the range site is strictly forbidden. Additionally, if wildlife is present on the range, all firing must immediately cease until the wildlife has moved off of the range.
  1. Safety Zones
    Each range has a safety (danger) area designed for specific firearms and calibres. These areas are out of bounds (no trespassing) areas designed to contain overshoot and ricocheting bullets. Every reasonable effort shall be extended by the SO to ensure that the safety area does not have people in it during range operations.
  1. Range Closures during Range Operations
    Range Closures must be sanctioned by the Executive Team, which include sanctioned events, work bees, etc. And will be posted in advance at the range information board and on the Drumheller & District Shooters Association website.
  1. Garbage/Ettiquette
    • Burning of garbage is prohibited. All garbage is to be collected, bagged and taken to the garbage bin located in the main parking lot area or otherwise removed from the range property. This includes the used paper targets from target backboards.
    • Pick up all brass, containers are provided.
    • If you see anything requiring changing, cleaned, repaired, inform the Executive Team.
  1. Handguns
    All handguns must be bolstered or cased except while on an active firing line or while in the inspection area.

SECTION 5 – RANGE SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

  1. Spectators
    Spectators will follow all directions given to them by the SO. Spectators must remain 5 metres behind any active firing line.
  1. Hearing and Eye Protection
    Hearing protection for shooters and range staff in near proximity to an active firing line is mandatory. Eye protection for shooters and range staff in near proximity to an active firing line is highly recommended.
  1. Alcohol / Drugs
    Any person deemed to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be permitted to shoot.
  1. Smoking
    • Smoking is permitted in the range areas.
    • Smoking is not permitted on any firing point.
    • Smokers should be encouraged to wash their hands after shooting and before smoking due to the hazard posed by the possible ingestion of lead.
    • All smoking materials (butts, etc.) are to be disposed of in the containers provided.

SECTION 6 – EMERGENCY INFORMATION

  1. Emergency Phone Numbers
    • Police, Fire, Ambulance: 9-1-1
    • Town of Drumheller (24hr): 403-823-2512
  1. Non-Emergency Phone Numbers
    • Police: 403-823-7590
    • Town of Drumheller: 403-823-7590
    • Range Phone#
  1. Hospitals
    The location of area hospitals is listed below:
    Drumheller Health Center (Travel time – 10 minutes)
    351 9 Street NW, Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y1

SECTION 7 – SITE PLAN