THE ELK RIVER SPORTSMAN’S CLUB

MEMBERS’ MANUAL

January 2009 (revised 12-15-09)

This book contains information about our Club, our facilities and their proper use, and the privileges and responsibilities of membership.

Included in this manual are the constitutional by-laws of the Club and the Elk River City Code; Chapter 50, Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions; Division 2 Dangerous Weapons.

ORGANIZATION

The Elk River Sportsman’s Club is incorporated under the laws of the State of Minnesota as a nonprofit organization. The Club has been in operation since January 2, 1946, when it was chartered as the St Louis Park Sportsmans Club. In 1962, the Club’s range was in the path of the I-35W construction, so the current Club property – 304.71 acres – was purchased for $25 per acre. The Club was rechartered October 21, 1997. The name was changed to Elk River Sportsmans Club on August 17, 1999, and to Elk River Sportsman’s Club in 2009.

Our activities are recreational, and as such, we participate in both conservation and shooting programs. Family use of the range is encouraged, as outlined under the section ‘FAMILY PARTICIPATION.’ An active program in youth firearms instruction is maintained.

The club functions under the provisions of its constitution and by-laws. All business matters are handled by a Board of Directors which meets monthly or as required by circumstances. The Board establishes the frequency and location of general membership meetings, usually 7 PM on the third Tuesday of each month.

During the months of April through October, meetings are held in the clubhouse at the range. November through March meetings are held at a location determined by the Board.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to all persons over 18. An application for membership must be completed by all applicants. A Club member in good standing who has donated 8 hours of work to the Club during the previous year may sponsor one candidate for membership. Both the applicant and sponsor must attend a meeting of the Board of Directors, at which time the application will be considered.

Initial membership cost is the annual dues plus an initiation fee. Thereafter, the cost is the annual dues as established by club by-laws. Dues become payable on January 1st, and if not paid by the last day of January the member is dropped from the membership rolls. The club roster is for internal Club activity use only and will not be distributed for any other purpose.

Starting in January 2010, all new members are required to be a member of the NRA. As a condition of renewal, those members who joined in 2010 and thereafter must provide proof that their NRA membership is valid, or they must renew their NRA membership as part of their ERSC membership renewal.

The Club is non-partisan and does not endorse any political party or candidate. However, the Club urges all of its members to review the qualifications and records of all the candidates and vote, keeping in mind the best interests of our Club and the shooting and hunting sports.

Each year, members have the privilege and responsibility of electing, or being elected to, a position as a club Officer or Board member. Candidates for office are selected by a nominating committee and/or nominations from the membership. All Annual, Senior and Honorary Life members are eligible to hold office. The term of office is for one year, but an Officer may serve any number of terms.

Club Officers consist of the President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Membership Secretary, Treasurer, Finance Officer, Research Officer, Conservation Officer, two Sergeants at Arms, ten members of the Board of Directors, and an Activity Chair for each of the following activities: Archery, Black Powder, Bench Rest, High Power/KD, Pistol, Small Bore, Shotgun, Firearms Safety, Camping, and Food Services. The Board of Directors consists of all of the above, plus an Editor appointed by the Board of Directors.

FAMILY PARTICIPATION

The Elk River Sportsman’s Club welcomes and encourages the participation of the family members in the Club activities and use of the range facilities. These use privileges are extended to your spouse and members of your family below the age of 18 if accompanied by you. You are directly responsible for their actions while on Club property. Children are not allowed within the club range areas without adult supervision.

The spouse of a member may become an Associate member, and juvenile dependents may become Junior members, as outlined in Article III, Section (E) of the constitution.

GUEST PRIVILEGES

A member may bring guests to use the club facilities. The member is responsible for the conduct and actions of his guests, and guests must be accompanied by the member at all times. Do not expect other club members to assume responsibility for your guests.

Members have range use priority over guests, except during competitions or other Club events.

FACILITIES

The Elk River Sportsman’s Club owns a 304.71-acre tract of land located approximately 4½ miles northwest of Elk River, Minnesota, in Sherburne County. Various range facilities have been constructed on the property, and these are maintained for your use as long as you remain a member in good standing. Familiarization with the ranges and danger areas is the duty and responsibility of each member.

The current facilities include:

  • A 38' by 80' building used as a clubhouse and for other activities.
  • A shotgun range with skeet, sporting clays and 2 regulation ATA trap ranges, available only during Club events. One electric trap and a practice trap range (“Crazy Quail”) with two manual trap machines are available to any member during regular hours of operation. A brief training session in the use of the electric trap machine is required. There is a shotgun patterning board next to the skeet house.
  • A 20-position, 25-yard pistol range. Twelve of these firing points are covered for protection from sun and rain.
  • A 13-position Bench Rest Rifle Range with target supports at 100 yards. Nine of these firing points are covered for protection from sun and rain.
  • A 10-position bench rest rifle range, with target supports that may be set at 25 and 50 yards, with five firing points covered as on the 100-yard range.
  • A 22-position smallbore rifle range with target holders at 50 and 100 yards, and reactive targets that may be installed at 25 yards and 40, 60, 77 & 100 meters. There are two permanent shooting benches.
  • A Known Distance (KD) rifle range with firing lines at 100, 200, 300, 400 and 600 yard, complete with modern pit facilities and 20 target frames.
  • An outdoor archery range for practicing at 20 to 65 yards, walk-through trails with thirty 3D targets, and a 20-yard indoor range in the clubhouse.
  • A camping and recreation area with picnic tables near the clubhouse. Tent, trailer or van camping can be accommodated. Water and electric power are available, but there is no waste dump on the site.
  • A large, open ‘rendezvous’ camping area, and several smaller ‘primitive’ camping areas with fire rings, are located near the Pistol range.

The range has electric power in specific locations only – It is not distributed throughout the entire range. There is no storage available. Users must bring in all supplies. All ranges have toilet facilities.

GENERAL RANGE RULES

The Key Word is SAFETY

The club has developed rules of conduct and procedures for range use to promote the safety of our members, guests, and the residents of the properties surrounding our property. These rules are enforced, and it is mandatory that they be observed at all times by every person who uses the range. These rules are in effect at all range areas, and they are in addition to the basic safety rules for handling firearms and ammunition (The Ten Commandments of Firearm Safety).

{Specific rule sections for KD, Shotgun, Pistol and other ranges follow this section. See pages 8-15}

  1. Firing shall be limited to prepared ranges only, with their adequate impact backstops. Only the target holders provided for that range shall be used.
    When putting targets on target holders, be positive that the targets are at a height that will assure bullet impact in the backstops from whatever shooting position is being used. Paper targets only shall be used, with the targets mounted in the center of the target holder to prevent damage to the wooden structure supporting the target holders.
  2. Firing at objects on the ground or at targets mounted in such a manner that bullets may strike the ground and ricochet is prohibited and shall not be condoned for any reason. Firing at aerial targets with handguns or rifles is prohibited on all range property.
    It is recommended rifles be loaded with one round at a time when sighting-in or target shooting on the 25-50 yard, 100 yard, and the KD Ranges. Exceptions to these recommendation are:
    1) During practice for and during any High Power
    shooting competition.
    2) During preparation for hunting when the member
    wants to practice a particular shooting stance.
    3) When shooting .22 caliber rifles or other firearms that are
    difficult to load one round at a time.
    4) During police training.
    Pistols are excluded from this recommendation.

3. Restrict your firing to the range designed for that purpose:
A. Pistol Range
Pistols and revolvers, all calibers

Rimfire rifles and airguns

Carbines and rifles (except .50 BMG)

Police/self-defense shotguns, no slugs

B. 25 and 50 Yard Range

Pistols and revolvers, all calibers

.22 and other rimfire rifles

Centerfire rifles (except .50 BMG)

Black powder pistols and rifles

Shotgun, slugs only

C. 100 Yard Range

Appropriate pistols/revolvers, targets 1-4 only (left side)

Centerfire rifles (except .50 BMG)

Rimfire rifles (except centerfire shooters have priority if space is limited)

Black powder rifles

Shotgun, slugs only, targets 1-4 only (left side)

D. Small Bore Range

.22 and other rimfire rifles

Airguns

E. Shotgun Ranges

Shotguns with #7 ½ shot and smaller only.

F. Known Distance Range (KD)

Firearms appropriate for long-range shooting and not prohibited by KD range rules (i.e., pistols and shotguns). Rimfire rifles are prohibited except for organized Club events. The firing of .50 BMG rifles requires certification, and they are allowed only on the KD range (see rule 9, page 9).

4. Hunting on Club property is prohibited.

5. Members shall have priority over guests for use of the range facilities, except for competitions or other Club events.

6. Lock combinations are available to members only for access to our facilities. Furnishing the lock combination to non-members is prohibited unless approved by club Officers for a specific reason.

7. The entrance gate is to be locked after entering and when leaving the range. During an organized shoot or activity that is open to both members and non-members, the gate will be opened by the Activity Chair or event sponsor in charge, and he or she shall be responsible to clear out any non-members after the event and to then lock the gate.

8. Shooting is prohibited before 8:00 A.M., Monday through Saturday, and before 9:00 A.M. on Sunday. No shooting after sunset. (Sunset tables are posted at each range.) By special request and with the approval of Club Officers, night shooting for the training and qualification of law officers has been approved as a controlled scheduled public service.

We ask members to use discretion in their interpretation of sunset, as there can be times when light conditions are inadequate for shooting even before official sunset times.

9. The consumption of alcoholic beverages on Club property, or the use of firearms while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, is prohibited. Combining alcohol or drugs with the use of firearms is considered a violation of our safety practices.

10. When any person is forward of the firing line at any point on the Bench Rest ranges, the range will be closed and all firearms unloaded and actions left open, and the shooters not down range are to step away from the benches and not handle any firearms. The range shall not be reopened until a positive check has been made for any person who may still be down range.

Warning beacons have been installed at the 100-yard and 25/50-yard / Black Powder ranges to alert shooters that the range is closed, and members are required to use them.

11. Firearms are to remain unloaded at all times except when on the firing line and ready to fire. At all other times, actions are to remain open and the firearms unloaded, or cased and stowed for transportation.

As a further safety measure, the use of chamber flags is required at all ranges, and flags are available at most ranges free of charge.

12. Any member seeing an unsafe situation or violation of range procedure shall immediately call a cease-fire, and that range will be closed until the condition is corrected.

13. Members must clean the range area after use, and take all targets and other trash with them, as there is no trash service at the Club.
14. When you become a member of the Elk River Sportsman’s Club, or are granted range use privileges, you agree to abide by all the club's rules and policies as a condition of membership and will assist the club as a whole in policing actions on the range. What you do with a firearm directly affects each and every member.

Any intentional violation of safety rules is considered sufficient reason for the removal of a member from club property. Disregard for the established rules may be sufficient cause for the Board of Directors to start disciplinary action and could result in expulsion from the club under the provisions of the constitution and by-laws.

15. Metal silhouette target shooting is banned on all ranges, though reactive plastic ‘shoot through’ targets have been approved for use on certain ranges or under controlled conditions. When new target materials are developed, the Board will consider whether they can be safely used on our range.

Our range is bordered on all four sides by residential structures. Members must be aware that any ricochets or stray bullets landing in those areas, or heard by nearby residents, may be a deciding factor as to how long we can continue to operate our range.

16. All-terrain vehicles, four wheel drive vehicles, dirt bikes and snowmobiles are prohibited except on the established roads or for maintenance of the range.

17. Horseback riding on any part of the range property is prohibited. Exceptions to this rule may be granted for training purposes provided the Board of Directors approves a written request.

18. The firing of full automatic weapons in full auto mode is banned on all range property.

19. Most ranges have ‘lead abatement’ forms posted. Members are encouraged to record the date, and the number and caliber of rounds fired.

In addition to giving us a better idea of how many people are using the range, and when, this allows us to monitor the amount of lead accumulating in the berms on an annual basis.

20. The Elk River Sportsman’s Club operates the range under the terms and understanding of our Range Usage permit as issued by the City of Elk River. We also comply with all the provisions of the Elk River, Minnesota City Code; Chapter 50, Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions; Division 2 Dangerous Weapons. To understand the terms of our Range Usage Permit, we must refer to those provisions in the Elk River City Code, specifically, Section 50-117, paragraph (c), sub paragraph (3) and Section 50-118. This paragraph outlines the responsibility of the Club and its members to control and confine the projectiles we fire to the range property. This will help ensure the safety to our members and neighbors. Violations of this ordinance could decide whether or not the Club can continue as a shooting facility.

KNOWN DISTANCE (KD) RANGE RULES

  1. Instruction in the safe use of the KD Range is required. This includes instruction on pit operations (target carriers and target repair, etc.) in addition to how to safely run the firing line. Contact the KD Chair to find out when the next training session may be offered, or to arrange for individual/small group training.
  2. Firing from the 600 yard line is limited to organized club events. Club members who have been certified, or are being assisted by a certified member. The KD Chair or their designee grants certification once an understanding of ballistics and safe use of the KD Range have been demonstrated. Certification is permanent unless revoked by the Board of Directors, or the member allows his/her membership to lapse. {Changed 6-60-09 by Tim Thole}
  3. It is strongly recommended that at least one additional person be present to act as an observer and/or staff the pits when firing from the KD Range.
  4. Communication between the firing line and the pit is strongly recommended at all times during use of the 600 yard range (cell phone or two-way radio).
  5. All shooters, pit personnel and spectators must wear hearing protection and safety glasses while firing is in progress. A billed hat is also recommended.
  6. No firing is permitted at any time while personnel are forward of the firing line and are not in the pit. Chamber flags should be used, or firearms cased, during these times.
  7. It is recommended that firing from the 600 yard line be limited to equipment appropriate for the Range, and not prohibited by the Club by-laws. Members having questions about their equipment should contact the KD Activity Chair or Assistant Chair.
  8. The firing of handguns or shotguns on the KD range is prohibited. Rimfire rifles are prohibited except during special Club events.
  9. The firing of .50 BMG rifles is limited to Club members, their family and their guests, on the KD Range only. Certification is necessary for shooting the .50 BMG on the ERSC range. Contact the KD/High Power Activity Chair or .50 BMG Coordinator for details.
  10. Only targets provided on the target frames or those consistent with Club rules and attached to the target frames are allowed. Target frames are available in the pit building. Targets must be placed in the target carriers and shooters must fire at the target carriers that correspond to their shooting position on the firing line.
  11. The target frames and range flags must be returned to the pit building when shooting is complete.
  12. All shooting and safety rules contained in the Club by-laws are to be followed on the KD range.
  13. Hours of operation are the same for all ranges, as set by the Board of Directors.
  14. All safety rules commonly referred to as Firearms Use Safety Rules, such as “ The 10 Commandments of Firearms Safety,” are to be followed on the KD range.
  15. Vehicles are not to be driven on the irrigated greens on the firing line. Vehicles may approach these areas for loading and unloading.
  16. Users of the KD Range and Practice Trap (Crazy Quail) Range must co-operate and coordinate their activities. Range use is on a first-come/first-served basis, with scheduled events taking precedence. Users of these ranges must identify their presence by changing the sign located at the entrance to these ranges.

 The 200 or 300 yard lines of the KD range and the Sporting Clays range may be operated simultaneously.