The end result

American Handgunner, Nov-Dec, 2008 by Dave Anderson

When the project started our club had around 400 members. Today membership is approaching 650. Membership is just $50 a year (the special volunteers who went "above and beyond" received honorary lifetime memberships). The range is used during the winter months--we still like shooting outside when we can!

There is a 25-yard range with 12 shooting lanes. The range has a state of the art backstop and airflow system, a fully equipped classroom for 40 students, and a kitchen, dedicated to the memory of Cookie.

Every Saturday there is a very active youth shooting program, to encourage the next generation of shooters. North Dakota Game & Fish uses the classroom and range for hunter education. Game & Fish, and local police agencies can use the range for training and qualification. Minot PD uses the facility for their Safe Neighborhoods program, which teaches the legalities of purchasing and owning a firearm, safe use, safe storage in the home and the process for obtaining a CWP.

The range is open to the public. Anyone, not just club members, can shoot on evenings when the range is open for just $10 (members pay $5 per evening of shooting, to help cover the operating costs).

That's how our club did it, and how your club can do the same. Start by getting in touch with your state's fish and wildlife department for guidance. It's a big job and a serious commitment but the results are worth it. And then, as John Luks said, "stop talking and start pounding nails."