Peterborough Fish & Game Association

Range Safety Rules

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General Rules - All Sections

  1. All members are required to attend an orientation safety course and other courses that may be required by the Association
  2. All members and guests must sign-in and out of the range logbook each time they visit the range, using full date, time in & time out. Members to use their member number, guests must print their full name clearly
  3. Guests must complete and sign guest waiver paperwork and deposit it in mailbox inside the clubhouse
  4. Members must be in possession of their membership card while on club property, and present it if asked by another member
  5. Any damage or problems encountered while on club property shall be recorded in range issue book, or be reported directly to the property director before leaving the property
  6. When leaving the building, ensure all lights are off, all windows are closed, heat turned down and doors locked
  7. Only full members in good standing may bring guests to PFGA.
  8. Members are responsible for the safety and behavior of their guests. No guest may use the facility without being briefed on club rules.
  9. Guests attending more than three times must apply for membership.
  10. Guests WITHOUT a PAL/RPAL must be under direct supervision (within an arms reach) by the signing PFGA member (member not shooting) whenever they are handling/discharging a firearm.
  11. Guests WITH a PAL/RPAL are permitted to discharge a firearm without direct supervision provided they have a license for the class of firearm being used. The guest may NOT be left unattended.
  12. Junior members and children are allowed on club property only under the direct supervision of a member
  13. Members and guests shall ensure the property is left clean after using. This includes picking up empty casings, properly disposing of used targets, & cleaning up garbage/recycle
  14. All members and their guests must abide by rules and policies as specified for their section and be familiar with the posted by-laws of the Association
  15. No person impaired by alcohol or drugs shall be permitted to handle or discharge firearms
  16. Members must provide their own approved targets except at regular club section times and approved matches
  17. All metallic targets must be reactive (move or fall when hit) positioned at right angles to the direction of fire, and must be shrouded with wood to prevent ricochets and spatter from escaping the range
  18. All metallic targets must be made of target grade steel (ie. AR500) and specifically designed for target use.
  19. Members may use their own metallic targets provided they are in good condition (free of divots or damage which may cause dangerous ricochets) and with the approval of their section director. Members are expected to provide shrouding for their own targets.
  20. The following are the minimum permitted distances for metallic targets:
    • Rimfire Rifle/Handgun: 10 Meters
    • Centerfire Handgun/Pistol Caliber Carbine: 10 Meters
    • Shotguns w/Lead Birdshot/Buckshot: 10 Meters
    • Shotguns w/Lead Slug: 40 Meters
    • Centerfire Rifle: 50 Meters
  21. No steel or tungsten based shot/projectiles are permitted to be fired at metallic targets.
  22. All members and guests must comply with all federal and provincial legislation related to the ownership, storage, transportation and safe use of firearms
  23. All firearms must be cased and unloaded when brought onto club property.
  24. Firearms shall only be removed from cases in approved areas. (Safe Tables or Shooting Benches)
  25. When handling firearms, the muzzle direction must be controlled at all times. Firearms must be pointed in the safest available direction at all times. Never point a firearm towards people, range entrances, or common areas where people may appear. Remember the 4 vital ACTS of firearm safety.
  26. When two or more people are using the range, a range officer will be selected. The range officer shall be responsible for the shooting activities at the firing line and shall give the commands to "commence fire" and "cease fire". The selected range officer may still shoot
  27. All shooters must immediately obey all range commands issued by the Range Officer.
  28. Unattended firearms (those not in immediate use, under direct personal control), must be unloaded, left pointed in the safest available direction, with the action open, and the magazine removed (if applicable).
  29. All shooters and spectators within close proximity to an active firing line must wear eye and ear protection at all times
  30. To participate unsupervised in any section you must have completed all requirements for that section and have a valid sticker for that section
  31. The board of directors may veto section approval and request additional training if deemed necessary.
  32. The red warning flag at clubhouse must be raised when using outdoor ranges
  33. The Range Open/Closed sign at clubhouse must be opened when there is anyone on club property
  34. Never allow horseplay, careless handling of firearms, or any other distraction while shooting is in progress. If witnessed, violations must be reported to the Board of Directors
  35. It is the intention of the General and Section Rules that the club be used in a safe manner. Members noticing safety hazards and/or unsafe shooting practices are asked to notify the shooter and/or a member of the Board of Directors
  36. Ranges are for use by members and invited guests only, except for those shooting events that are open to the public. Members shall be responsible for ensuring that their guests are aware of the range rules, and supervise their actions
  37. Coming to and from the firing line, firearms are to be unloaded and completely clear of all ammunition. Firearms should not be handled or prepared for firing except at the firing line.
  38. Only approved targets are permitted to be used. At no time shall any member or guest discharge their firearm at target stands or frames, metal cans, glass bottles, or any such material that may cause dangerous debris or bullet ricochets
  39. Shooters must use only target holders approved by the Board of Directors, these should be placed so that bullets will pass though the target and strike the backstop below mid-line without striking the range floor
  40. Members are not permitted to use any targets, props, or equipment in which they have not been authorized to use by their section director.
  41. Targets shall be placed so that bullets do not impact the backstop at angles greater than 45 degrees from the firing line
  42. The Board of Directors may extend the range hours for approved matches

Indoor Range Safey Rules

  1. Range Hours Indoor:
    • 24/7 (All allowed calibers)
  2. Ammunition restrictions:
    • Rifle: .22 short, long and long rifle only. No centerfire or magnum rimfire.
    • Handgun: all standard and magnum handgun calibers allowed. No high-velocity cartridges.
    • Pistol Caliber Carbine: Standard pistol cartridges only, no magnum or high-velocity cartridges.
    • No high-velocity handgun cartridges, including but not limited to 7x28mm & 6x30mm.
    • No steel core or armour piercing ammunition allowed.
  3. Green/Red light must be used.
    • Green means cease fire.
    • Red means line is active.
  4. All range lights must be turned on while shooting is in progress.
  5. Exhaust fans must be running whenever shooting or sweeping is in progress.
  6. Absolutely NO SHOOTING forward of the red line.
  7. Shooters shall use only approved target holders, placed so that bullets will pass through the target and strike as close to the mid-line of the backstop as reasonably possible.

Outdoor Range Specific Rules

  1. Range Hours Outdoor
    • Monday to Saturday 9:00am - 9:00pm or sunset (whichever comes first.)
    • Sunday 9:00am - 12:00pm - .22 rimfire only.
    • Sunday 12:00pm - 9:00pm or sunset (whichever comes first) - all calibers.
    • Illuminated may be used until 9:00pm. Lights must be used after sunset
    • Current illuminated ranges (Range 7)
  2. Maximum Distance
    • Range 2 - 25 meter Handgun Only
    • Range 3 - 50/100 yard Rifle Only
    • Range 4 - 25 meter Handgun - 50 meter Rifle
    • Range 5 - 25 yard Handgun - 50 yard Rifle
    • Range 6 - Archery Only
    • Range 7 - 25 yard Handgun
    • Range 8 - 50 yard Handgun - 100 yard Rifle
    • Range 9 - Archery Only
    • Range 10 - 3d Archery - Archery Only
    • Range 11 - 25 Yard Handgun
    • Range 12 - 20 Yard Handgun
    • Range 13 - 20 Yard Handgun
  3. Only the designated firearm types are permitted on the designated ranges, and within the appropriate distances. Range approvals refer to the type of firearm, not the caliber or ammunition type.
  4. Only 1 firing line to be used at a time, firing line adjusted to designated position.
  5. Shooters shall use only approved target holders placed so that bullets will pass through the target and strike the backstop below mid-line without striking the range floor.
  6. Targets shall be placed as close to the backstop as reasonably possible.
  7. Other rules may apply to individual ranges and are posted at each range

Archery Section Rules

  1. Indoor and outdoor targets to be used only with approved archery equipment.
  2. Target Point arrows ONLY are allowed on club targets.
    Broadhead arrows are NOT to be used on club targets.
  3. Crossbows can be used on club targets.
  4. If you wish to use broadhead arrows, you MUST supply your own targets.

Action Section Rules

  1. All section members must be an active member of, or actively pursuing membership of an action shooting discipline such as:
    • IPSC
    • IDPA
    • ICORE
    • USPSA
  2. All action members must first become a member of the Handgun Section prior to joining the Action Section.
  3. All members must successfully complete the Action Section Training program.
  4. Handguns may only be holstered/un-holstered at the safe table or when participating on an active firing line.
  5. Rifles, PCC’s, & Shotguns must be transported to and from the firing line with the muzzle pointed skyward.
  6. While shooting, firearms must be kept pointing downrange at all times. Under no circumstances is the muzzle permitted to break the 180 degree plane.
  7. All members must obey all discipline specific range commands.

Hand Gun Section Rules

  1. All members must successfully complete the Handgun Section Training program.
  2. All Handgun section members must be at least 18 years of age to participate unsupervised.
  3. Handgun members are not permitted to use holsters.
  4. Handgun members are authorized for static shooting ONLY. (ie. Sitting at bench, standing, kneeling, or prone.) Absolutely NO shooting while moving or dynamic movement unless participating in a club authorized match or competition.
  5. When transporting handguns between the safe table and a shooting bench, firearms must be:
    • Unloaded, with the magazine removed (if applicable) and the slide/cylinder in the open position if possible.
    • Held securely by the frame & slide or barrel, with fingers outside of the trigger guard, and the muzzle pointing directly skyward or directly downwards.

Rifle Section Rules

  1. All members must successfully complete the Rifle Section Training program.
  2. No Cross-Lane Shooting. When shooting from a lane or bench, members must only engage targets which are directly in-front of them.
  3. Only Rimfire rifles are permitted to be used on the Rimfire section of Range 3.
  4. Rifle members are authorized for static shooting ONLY. (ie. Sitting at bench, standing, kneeling, or prone.) Absolutely NO shooting while moving or dynamic movement unless participating in a club authorized match or competition.
  5. If five or more shooters are present, the range officer is not permitted to shoot while supervising others. Note: Range officer duties should be shared amongst approved members to fairly distribute responsibility

Smallbore Section Rules

  1. Firearms owners must install a ‘Breech Plug (aka Clear Barrel Indicator or Chamber Flag) in the breech of every firearm, before removing a firearm(s) from a case. The Breech Plug must remain in the firearm breech, during transport to and from the firing line, and/or to and from a temporary storage rack on the range, and if traveling between ranges
  2. Breech Plugs may only be removed, and left out of a firearm, while the shooter is on the firing line and in direct control of their firearm, on a sanctioned range
  3. Unattended firearms (those not in immediate use, or under direct personal control), must have an inserted breech plug, that is clearly visible, to other shooters and designated Range Officers, at all times
  4. Competition Event Rules will take precedent over General Section and Club Rules during sanctioned Events, to reflect the unique attributes, objectives, and safety provisions of Competitive Disciplines.
  5. Approved paper and silhouette (steel) targets must be placed at approved outdoor berms, or on approved indoor target holders, at approved target location immediately in front of bullet trap, or in the case of indoor 10m air rifle, at designated 10 m mark.
  6. Shooters may move closer to targets to shoot at lesser distances (if other shooters are absent, or if they are permitted to do so by other shooters present). Shooters can NOT move targets to other, unsanctioned distances, from firing lines. Note: This point ties into the ‘target placement’ issue raised by Larry… it shall be referred to Rules Committee for further consideration
  7. If more than two shooters are present, a Range Officer must be designated to supervise the Firing line and range operations
  8. If five or more shooters are present, the range officer is not permitted to shoot while supervising others. Note: Range officer duties should be fairly and equitably shared amongst approved members present.
  9. Shooters may only cross the Firing line and begin loading ammunition and conducting live fire, upon receiving permission from the designated Range Officer