Range Rules October 2022

1. INTRODUCTION

The Chilliwack Fish and Game Protective Association, hereafter CFGPA, or the Club, is a volunteer run charitable society. One of the purposes of Club is to promote general firearms safety within the community and the safe use of firearms for recreational and hunting activities, by safely operating ranges for archery and a variety of firearm types.

In this spirit, CFGPA members and guests are required to follow these Range Rules to ensure the safety of themselves and others. All members and guests are expected to treat CFGPA grounds and facilities with respect and care.

The following rules will help ensure respect for everyone using the range. Shooters are expected to be courteous to others so collectively everybody can enjoy recreational sport shooting and archery. The CFGPA supports and encourages many different shooting disciplines and members are expected to share this practice and philosophy.

These Range Rules pertain to all facilities located at 48685 Chilliwack Lake Road, Chilliwack, BC, operated by the CFGPA.

Live firing at the CGFPA is designed to allow members and authorized guests access to a facility where they can become proficient with privately owned firearms and bows. These rules are intended to make club activities safe, convenient, and enjoyable for everyone.

Members are expected to follow the basic rules of common sense, safety, and courtesy.

1.1 Every request made, or direction given by a Range Safety Officer, hereafter RSO, will be responded to immediately.  The first primary member arriving on an unoccupied range is deemed to be the designated RSO for that range and is required to perform all the functions to operate the range safely. Upon leaving the range, they will designate another primary member to assume their duties. If no one accepts their instructions or they are alone, they will close the range down, including taking down the range flags, or shutting off the range lights.

1.2 The Chief Range Safety Officer, hereafter CRSO, has overall authority over range safety, and is appointed by the Board of Directors, hereafter referred to as the Board. The CRSO is defined as the person who oversees, monitors, and coordinates range activities. Direction of the CRSO must be followed at all times. Any disagreement with the CRSO can be presented to the Board. Board contact info can be found on our website: www.chilliwackfishandgame.com. During competitive matches, the Match Director assumes the role of the CRSO of the ranges the match occupies. Should there be times when there is no CRSO, the responsibilities of this position will fall to the Board.

1.3 Safety is the primary concern of the club and is everyone’s responsibility. Range users are expected to watch out for unsafe or dangerous situations and/or conditions and, if appropriate, report them to the RSO, CRSO, or a Club Officer. Club Officers include Board members, Section heads, and Club staff, such as the Caretaker.

1.4 Breach of these Range Rules may result in the immediate suspension of the offender’s privileges and/or removal from the Range. Incidents will be reviewed by the Board and may result in sanction, up to and including the offender’s membership being cancelled. 

2. GENERAL RULES

The following General Rules apply to all ranges at all times:

2.1 Four Cardinal Rules of Firearms Safety:

• Treat all firearms as if they are loaded.
• Never point a firearm at anything you are not willing to shoot.
• Keep your finger off the trigger until you have made the conscious decision to shoot.
• Be aware of your target and what is beyond it.

2.2 The possession and/or consumption of substances that can cause impairment is prohibited. Individuals under the effect of such substances must not handle firearms or enter the range and are subject to having their membership suspended or cancelled pending review by the Board.

2.3 The following items are prohibited for use at the CFGPA: Tracer rounds, armour-piercing rounds, exploding rounds, flares, smoke grenades, irritant or debilitating anti-personnel gas, 38 mm rounds of any type, bear bangers, flash bangs, or exploding targets (Tannerite or similar products). 50 BMG is prohibited by our calibre templates. Any other ammunition or device the Board deems unsafe.

2.4 Use eye and ear protection while shooting or observing. It is recommended that shooters use both plugs and muffs. Impact resistant glasses are to be worn at all times past the Registration Area.

2.5 Only Club Officers or authorized maintenance personnel may open locked buildings. Closed gates may not be opened without prior authorization by a Club Officer. 

2.6 The speed limit on all Club roads is 10 km/h. Vehicles may not be driven on to the range except for maintenance or as necessary during matches and then, only with the approval of a Club Officer. Physically disabled members, that for example, employ electric wheelchairs or scooters are exempt from this restriction. 

2.7 Smoking or vaping is not permitted on or near the firing line at any time. Fireproof ashtrays are located outside each range.

2.8 Group matches, clinics, events, rentals, and activities must be approved by the Board and comply with all regulations established by the Club for their conduct.

2.9 Care should be taken to preserve the facilities and grounds of Club property; any damage must be reported to a Club Officer.

2.10 The Board may modify the Range Rules to allow for a competitive match or Club sanctioned event.

3. RANGE USAGE

3.1 Members must display their access/membership card while on Club property. Members unable to produce a current membership card, will be asked to leave. Replacement cards can be ordered on our website.

3.2 Visitors may not use range facilities except as guests of a primary member or, when attending an invitational shoot or, as a guest of the Club when authorized by a Club Officer.

3.3 It is the responsibility of the primary member to be certain their guests and family members are familiar with, and abide by, CFGPA’s Range Rules.

3.4 When a primary member brings a guest to CFGPA, the member is responsible for the guest at all times while on Club property. The member must ensure that safety equipment is used, and all range rules and firearm safety practices are followed. All guests must be directly supervised by members. If the guest is an inexperienced shooter, the member and guest cannot shoot at the same time. 

3.5 Guests may use range facilities only after being signed in by a member and after paying the daily range fee. These costs are $10 for adults, and $5 for juniors, 18 and under, payable in cash at the Registration Area past the bridge.

3.6 Primary members may bring a maximum of two guests per visit. All guests must be registered at the range for insurance and federal range regulation purposes. If a member is found on the range with (an) unregistered guest(s), the member’s range access privileges will be revoked for a period of three months.

3.7 Ranges operated by the CFGPA are for by members only. It is expected that all range users are current members or are the guests of, and accompanied by, a member. If they are not a member or paid guest, then they should be asked to leave. If a member does not feel comfortable doing this, they are to notify a Club Officer as soon as possible.

3.8 Hours of Operation: Range hours are from 09:00 to one half hour before sunset or as posted at the club entrance and the range gate. Members must check the website calendar for scheduled days and hours of operation. It is mandatory to check the posted times on the range gate. Shooting outside these hours is strictly forbidden. 

3.9 All primary members shall swipe their access card upon entering and leaving the range. 

3.10 Before leaving, members are expected to leave the ranges at least as clean as they found them. Cardboard and paper are to be placed in the recycling receptacles located on each range. Place misfired cartridges in the red Dud receptacle located on each range. Shooters shall pick up their empty casings. These can be placed in the white Casings receptacle located in each range. Targets that create debris on the ranges are not to be used if they cannot be cleaned up by the shooter. Targets like pumpkins and other fruits/vegetables are not permitted, given the tremendous mess they create and their potential to attract unwanted animals.

3.11 The sand berms are part of our lead mitigation procedures and are not to be walked on.

4. SAFE CARRYING AND HANDLING OF FIREARMS

4.1 Firearms can only be uncased on the firing line.

4.2 Long arms transported on the property between ranges will have the magazine removed, if the design permits, and a chamber flag inserted or be cased. Uncased muzzles must be pointed up or down.

4.3 Loaded, holstered handguns may only be worn on the range, on the firing line.

4.4 Unloaded, holstered handguns are permitted anywhere on club property.

4.5 Holsters that are attached to the belt at the hip are permitted, this includes drop leg holsters. Holster must have muzzle pointed down. Any other style must receive approval from the Board.

Shooters will:

4.6 Keep firearms unloaded with the action open until ready to shoot.

4.7 Only load firearms at the firing line.

4.8 Call “Cease Fire” and make safe all firearms if any unsafe condition is observed.

4.9 On hearing the order “Cease Fire”, unload firearms and lay them down if firing from positions other than a bench. If using a bench, the firearms will be laid on the bench with actions facing up and opened. Shooters will step to the rear of their firearms.

4.10 Call “Cease Fire” if any wildlife appears on or over the range. Resume firing only when the wildlife has left the area.

4.11Stay at least 10 metres away from metal plate targets when using handguns, and 100 metres away when using a rifle.

5. 200 METRE RANGE

5.1 Range lights must be displayed at the firing line whenever the range is in use. The rifle range uses a system of red and green lights for safety and are to be employed as follows: 

Green Light: Shooters may move forward of the firing point to place, score, and patch targets only after the firing line has been declared “clear” and the shooters are directed to move forward by the RSO. Movement may then take place onto and off the firing line. Shooters may not handle firearms but may handle ammunition and magazines.

Red Light: This light signals the firing line is “hot” and shooting will take place. No one must be forward of the firing line at this time. Uncasing firearms and placing them on the benches, organizing equipment, etc., may take place.

5.2 When range is “clear”, actions must remain open when on the bench with the ejection ports facing upwards, so chambers are visible. In the case of handguns, having them unloaded and holstered is also acceptable. If on a bench, revolvers must have cylinders open. 

5.3 All rounds must impact between the prominent white “X” markers positioned down range and below a line drawn between the center of these two white X’s.

5.4 Shooters must follow the calibre template posted in the range. Calibre template is .338 Lapua and below.

5.5 Shooters will NOT handle firearms while people are forward of the firing line.  

5.6 Shooters will shoot only from a shooting bench or directly behind the white railing, which is the firing line.

5.7 Verify that each shooter knows that the line is going hot before calling the firing line “hot” again.

5.8 Be considerate of others. Set enough targets at one time to shoot for a reasonable period of time and then check with other shooters to get on “all clear” before going down range.

5.9 Targets attached to the provided stands are acceptable on this range for rifle, pistol, and shotguns. If possible, handgun and shotgun users should utilise the right-side shooting benches. Targets are to be centred on the frames to prevent damage to the frame structure and placed so that the bullet will impact the backstop immediately behind the target.

5.10 Only Club owned metal targets set at 175m and 200m may be used. No other metal is allowed on this range.

1. 6.LIMITED DISTANCE BAYS (Bays 1 – 4)

Range Flags must be unfurled whenever a bay is in use.

Shooters must follow the calibre templates posted in each bay. Calibre template is 223 Remington and below.

6.1 Shooters will NOT handle firearms while people are forward of the firing line. 

6.2 Shoot only from a shooting bench or directly behind the firing line. In dynamic shooting events and/or practice, the firing line can move with the shooter.

6.3 Verify that each shooter knows that the line is going hot before calling the firing line “hot” again.

6.4 Targets attached to the provided stands are acceptable on these ranges for rifle and pistol. Targets are to be centred on the frames to prevent damage to the frame structure and placed so that the bullet will impact the backstop. Clay birds tossed on the back berm are permitted, walking on the berms is not permitted.

6.5 No shotguns.

6.6 Member owned target frames or holders must be constructed of wood.

6.7 At no time can a shooter move between bays with a loaded firearm.

6.8 All rounds must impact below the top of the back berm in each bay.

6.9 No member owned metal is allowed on these ranges.

1. 7.STEEL BAY (BAY 5)

7.1 The Range Flag must be unfurled whenever this bay is in use.

7.2 Shooters must follow the calibre templates posted in the bay.

7.3 All shooting must be done from behind the bench

7.4 Targets must not be moved, and no additional targets are allowed.

7.5 Pistols and revolvers only. No rifles, shotguns, or pistol calibre carbines.

7.6 No steel core ammunition, no magnum calibres, no 7.62×25.

7.7 All rounds must impact below the top of the back berm.

1. 8.ARCHERY RANGE

8.1 The Range Flag must be unfurled whenever this bay is in use

8.2 The general safety rules articulated in this document apply to archery. Eye and ear protection is not required on the archery range.

8.3 Only long bows, re-curve bows, or compound bows can be used. Crossbows are not permitted on the archery range; they may be used in Bay 1 of the Limited Distance Ranges. Broadheads are not permitted on the archery range.

8.4 Check surroundings before drawing the bow to shoot. Tree limbs, low ceilings or other objects may obstruct the bow’s action, causing either an errant shot and/or injury. Only draw your bow if your arc of fire is clear.

8.5 When aiming at a target, the loaded bow must travel from the ground up.

8.6 All shots must be taken from the firing line, inside the shelters. 

1. 9.INDOOR RANGE

9.1 The indoor range is not for general member use. All events on this range must have a Board approved RSO supervising.

9.2 Shooters must follow the calibre templates posted in the range.

9.3 All shots must be fired at least 10 metres from the backstop. All shots must be aimed at the backstop.

1. 10.TRAP

10.1 The Trap range is only to be used during sanctioned Trap events. When Trap is in session, the Limited Distance Bays, The Steel Range, and the 200-metre range past 50 metres are all shut down. For event schedules check our calendar or contact our Trap Section head.

10.2 Shooters must use lead sporting load #7-9 shot size. No other ammunition is permitted.

1. 11.RULE INFRACTIONS AND APPEALS

11.1 If you are found allegedly contravening these Range Rules, you may be subject to immediate suspension of range use by a Club Officer pending a Board meeting. If you are found to be in contravention of these rules you may be subject to sanctions and a disciplinary hearing in front of the Board. 

11.2 Appeals of CRSO, RSO, and Club Officer decisions may be made in writing to the Board describing the circumstances of the incident under review. The rationale of the grounds for the Appeal must be submitted to the Board within 72 hours of receiving notice of the incident by the person(s) involved. This can be done via e-mail or by regular mail. Mail must be postmarked within 72 hours of the notification of the incident.

1. 12.COMMERCIAL USAGE AND MEDIA POLICY

12.1 All commercial usage of CFGPA property requires Board approval. Anyone wishing to use CFGPA property for profit must submit a written request to the Board.

12.2 Any communication intended to appear in any commercial (for profit) media, including traditional news media (print, radio, television), online (websites), social media (blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter, etc.) and other sites is permitted only with the prior approval of the Board.

12.3 Publishing of personal non-commercial blogs, photos and/or videos by members on social media is permitted and encouraged, providing the member is acting in accordance with the Range Rules, and in a manner that is in the best interest of the Club. Any member or guest of a member posting media not in accordance with these Range Rules will be subject to disciplinary action.