Posted: 7/18/2013 1:30:09 PM EDT
| I just recently became a member at a private range in southeastern Wisconsin. So today I decided I wanted to do some shooting. I drove the 35 minutes it takes for me to get there. As I pulled up I saw that there were about 10 law enforcement officers using the range. As I was getting my gear out of my vehicle one of the officers approached me and asked if I wanted to shoot. I said yes I just recently became a member and would like to do a little shooting. He then told me they were going to be there all day and that I could come back tomorrow because I couldn't share the firing line with them. I must have looked upset because he said "yah its what we do, come back tomorrow we wont be here." He just turned around and walked away. I was pissed and drove off. You would think going to shoot at a private range stuff like that wouldn't happen. Sorry just venting... |
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I just recently became a member at a private range in southeastern Wisconsin. So today I decided I wanted to do some shooting. I drove the 35 minutes it takes for me to get there. As I pulled up I saw that there were about 10 law enforcement officers using the range. As I was getting my gear out of my vehicle one of the officers approached me and asked if I wanted to shoot. I said yes I just recently became a member and would like to do a little shooting. He then told me they were going to be there all day and that I could come back tomorrow because I couldn't share the firing line with them. I must have looked upset because he said "yah its what we do, come back tomorrow we wont be here." He just turned around and walked away. I was pissed and drove off. You would think going to shoot at a private range stuff like that wouldn't happen. Sorry just venting... Typically, these events are scheduled ahead of time and members should receive ample notice (web site, calendar, etc). If your range is not doing this, attend a board meeting and find out why they are not. |
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You would get booted from certain public ranges as well which have "LEO only" shooting days.
Best bet is to always check your range's website calendar and see if any events are being held before you go (I've made the mistake of not doing this once before...) If they don't have today on the calendar, that's something to bring up with the board. |
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Typically, these events are scheduled ahead of time and members should receive ample notice (web site, calendar, etc). If your range is not doing this, attend a board meeting and find out why they are not. Quoted:
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I just recently became a member at a private range in southeastern Wisconsin. So today I decided I wanted to do some shooting. I drove the 35 minutes it takes for me to get there. As I pulled up I saw that there were about 10 law enforcement officers using the range. As I was getting my gear out of my vehicle one of the officers approached me and asked if I wanted to shoot. I said yes I just recently became a member and would like to do a little shooting. He then told me they were going to be there all day and that I could come back tomorrow because I couldn't share the firing line with them. I must have looked upset because he said "yah its what we do, come back tomorrow we wont be here." He just turned around and walked away. I was pissed and drove off. You would think going to shoot at a private range stuff like that wouldn't happen. Sorry just venting... Typically, these events are scheduled ahead of time and members should receive ample notice (web site, calendar, etc). If your range is not doing this, attend a board meeting and find out why they are not. if this is the range i think it is... that was not always so. only in 2013 did this posting of LEO activities become published to club members. i share the OP's disappointment. private ranges whored out to LEO training , so that members can hardly use the range in summer months, is crazy because of this, i do most of my practice in winter when the range is empty. |
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if this is the range i think it is... that was not always so. only in 2013 did this posting of LEO activities become published to club members. i share the OP's disappointment. private ranges whored out to LEO training , so that members can hardly use the range in summer months, is crazy because of this, i do most of my practice in winter when the range is empty. If we're talking about the same place, every new member has been told to expect LE there every weekday, since at least 2005 
Ah, yes, you'd rather have no LE allowed period, and have no range for anyone else to use either. 
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If we're talking about the same place, every new member has been told to expect LE there every weekday, since at least 2005
Ah, yes, you'd rather have no LE allowed period, and have no range for anyone else to use either. Quoted:
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if this is the range i think it is... that was not always so. only in 2013 did this posting of LEO activities become published to club members. i share the OP's disappointment. private ranges whored out to LEO training , so that members can hardly use the range in summer months, is crazy because of this, i do most of my practice in winter when the range is empty. If we're talking about the same place, every new member has been told to expect LE there every weekday, since at least 2005
Ah, yes, you'd rather have no LE allowed period, and have no range for anyone else to use either. i will admit it is much better now that LEO times are posted. however when LEO scheduling was not published, and there was no way of attaching targets on the 100m range... it can get aggravating. LEO training is a good thing, however when it turns away paid club members from doing likewise its a double edged sword. i will admit, im still quite bitter about how club members were treated by both leo and the board when requesting to know the dates when LEO would be using the range. we were told to use the 100m range, which at the time had no means of affixing targets, short of bringing your own frame and counterweights to hold it down. that said, CCW training should be done at 25M as dirt impacts at 100m can cause ricochets and cause safety concerns for those in the 25M and 75M pits. |
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Why do they need exclusive use of the ranges? Why can't the "share" the ranges? They pay the range for the rights to use it for the day(or season?). how much, idk. but they are paying to use it. safety, confidentiality of their training(cant have someone video taping them and upload a officer making a mistake to youtube, which would reflect poorly on the department) you can not teach someone how to shoot and explain things while other shooters are doing mag dumps a few meters away. the exclusivity of the range makes sense for the training. however use of the adjacent range is a viable alternative for club members, as there is a berm between the two and you can have ear pro out while on the 25M andbe hearing safe with someone shoting on the adjacent range |
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I don't have a dog in this fight, don't live anywhere near a "pay for use" range, don't have a clue which range this is.
But, I wouldn't pay membership for a range I couldn't use when it fit my schedule. If it didn't fit, I simply wouldn't join. If I didn't know in advance of weekday exclusive usage by others than me (which it appears to me is the case with the OP), and I then found out I paid for usage that I thought was 7 days per week, and found out I was only getting 2 days per week usage for my membership fee, I'd either want a full refund and void my membership, or a refund of 5/7ths of the fee. If I'm only getting use 2 days out of 7, why should I pay for the other 5? Unless I was told upfront that my fee was only for 2 days per week, and I agreed to that scheduling. YMMV. |
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I don't have a dog in this fight, don't live anywhere near a "pay for use" range, don't have a clue which range this is. But, I wouldn't pay membership for a range I couldn't use when it fit my schedule. If it didn't fit, I simply wouldn't join. If I didn't know in advance of weekday exclusive usage by others than me (which it appears to me is the case with the OP), and I then found out I paid for usage that I thought was 7 days per week, and found out I was only getting 2 days per week usage for my membership fee, I'd either want a full refund and void my membership, or a refund of 5/7ths of the fee. If I'm only getting use 2 days out of 7, why should I pay for the other 5? Unless I was told upfront that my fee was only for 2 days per week, and I agreed to that scheduling. YMMV. there is a 100m range that is always available to payed members. the 25m, 500m and 600m are subject to club activities and LEO usage, IE general members can use it if it is not in use by the previously mentioned groups. shooters are not turned away, just told to shoot on 100m instead o the 25, 500 or 600 |
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They pay the range for the rights to use it for the day(or season?). how much, idk. but they are paying to use it. Quoted:
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Why do they need exclusive use of the ranges? Why can't the "share" the ranges? They pay the range for the rights to use it for the day(or season?). how much, idk. but they are paying to use it. So are the members, right? If the members know this up front, that their membership is subject to police usage whenever they see fit, then they've no right to bitch. But If they don't know this, they're being hoodwinked when they join. 
FWIW, up north where I'm at, thankfully we don't have this issue. There's several free public ranges on county forest property. The local PDs and county sheriff don't use them, ever... they have their own private range, not open to the public, and also on county forest property. But I can see how it would be an issue in more populated areas (which is why I refuse to live in a more populated area ).
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So are the members, right? If the members know this up front, that their membership is subject to police usage whenever they see fit, then they've no right to bitch. But If they don't know this, they're being hoodwinked when they join.
FWIW, up north where I'm at, thankfully we don't have this issue. There's several free public ranges on county forest property. The local PDs and county sheriff don't use them, ever... they have their own private range, not open to the public, and also on county forest property. But I can see how it would be an issue in more populated areas (which is why I refuse to live in a more populated area ).Quoted:
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Why do they need exclusive use of the ranges? Why can't the "share" the ranges? They pay the range for the rights to use it for the day(or season?). how much, idk. but they are paying to use it. So are the members, right? If the members know this up front, that their membership is subject to police usage whenever they see fit, then they've no right to bitch. But If they don't know this, they're being hoodwinked when they join.
FWIW, up north where I'm at, thankfully we don't have this issue. There's several free public ranges on county forest property. The local PDs and county sheriff don't use them, ever... they have their own private range, not open to the public, and also on county forest property. But I can see how it would be an issue in more populated areas (which is why I refuse to live in a more populated area ).iirc when i joined a decade ago, they informed members of police usage trumping standard club members usage that said, police usage of the range has increased quite a bit since then. what is to stop the club from renting itself out monday-friday for LEO? |
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Quoted: If it's teh range i'm thikning of, you should expect LE there every day during first shift, especially since schedules have been posted for months.. There are 3 other ranges you could have used, why didn't you use them? This...  You can try showing up at 6am and it should be yours until 8am on weekdays, otherwise you are limited to late afternoons or weekends. Events and police schedules are clearly marked on the club calendar. I tend to bring multiple options with me...a pistol, an AR or two and a precision rifle or two...that way I can always shoot something at one of the ranges if the others are in use (police, maintenance, events, etc). Its a great range, welcome to the club!  At least you didn't make it all the way there and realize you left your key at home...that may have happened to me a couple weeks ago.  |
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At Daniel Boone they shut down the range 6-7 times a year
* 2 for work days * 4 for deer hunting sight in * picnic * 1/2 day for boy scout * last year there was a Gander Mountain day * 2 years ago I think they had a LE day They post them well in advance on the web and in the monthly news letter and every time 3-5 people show up to shoot and leave disappointed, but they learn to "Look before you leave" It is good that ranges give back to the community sometimes, it is good PR (but you don't see the news covering that) |
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If it's teh range i'm thikning of, you should expect LE there every day during first shift, especially since schedules have been posted for months.. There are 3 other ranges you could have used, why didn't you use them? I find it funny how everyone assumes they know which range I'm talking about. No its not in Racine, and its not Daniel Boone. My club only has one range. And LEO days are not posted. Apparently the club has an agreement with the city so that leo's can train once a month. However that date is decided on by the police department and is not posted. I understand law enforcement needs training, just the way I was talked too was not professional. |
| I remember same thing happening at deerfield rg once a month. I realized there was a calender posted with all dates the ranges were closed and that was that. What pissed me off wasn't the LEO range time, or when it was closed for hunters safety, but when they would have their annual horse pulls on the 100 yard range, aka the only rifle range and it would be so torn up. The grass would be gone, there would be ruts every where and it would look like a warzone. They would block off most of the grassy parts of the range for reseeding and it would take x amount of months before you should shoot without the benches in the grass. |
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I find it funny how everyone assumes they know which range I'm talking about. No its not in Racine, and its not Daniel Boone. My club only has one range. And LEO days are not posted. Apparently the club has an agreement with the city so that leo's can train once a month. However that date is decided on by the police department and is not posted. I understand law enforcement needs training, just the way I was talked too was not professional. As posted earlier in the thread, it would be a good idea to attend a meeting and suggest they change to posting that date as far in advance as possible for the reasons you've stated - you drove out of your way to find out it was closed for training. Nothing on you OP in particular, just can't fix something until someone points it out. |
| Saukville? I've never seen the cops out there but know that they use the range. They also never post anything in a timely fashion on the website; I think it is updated about once a year (then again - it was so bad I stopped looking, so it is possible it got better with the hundreds of new members we've got). |
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Saukville? I've never seen the cops out there but know that they use the range. They also never post anything in a timely fashion on the website; I think it is updated about once a year (then again - it was so bad I stopped looking, so it is possible it got better with the hundreds of new members we've got). I see nothing has changed in 15 years. 
I was a member, but they botched so many things with renewals and schedules I just left. Very unorganized. |
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I see nothing has changed in 15 years.
I was a member, but they botched so many things with renewals and schedules I just left. Very unorganized. Quoted:
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Saukville? I've never seen the cops out there but know that they use the range. They also never post anything in a timely fashion on the website; I think it is updated about once a year (then again - it was so bad I stopped looking, so it is possible it got better with the hundreds of new members we've got). I see nothing has changed in 15 years.
I was a member, but they botched so many things with renewals and schedules I just left. Very unorganized. Except now it costs twice as much.
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Except now it costs twice as much. Quoted:
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Saukville? I've never seen the cops out there but know that they use the range. They also never post anything in a timely fashion on the website; I think it is updated about once a year (then again - it was so bad I stopped looking, so it is possible it got better with the hundreds of new members we've got). I see nothing has changed in 15 years.
I was a member, but they botched so many things with renewals and schedules I just left. Very unorganized. Except now it costs twice as much. I don't understand why it is so difficult to be organized with something as simple as a private range. It boils down to having a good database really. How much does it cost now? |
Not related to OP's club but I've driven up to Shiocton to find the pistol range closed a couple times due to police training. But its pretty much their range anyways so I wasn't too miffed about it other then the one time I called ahead and was told it was open when its wasn't. 
I've stopped going there pretty much because of it. Not worth my time and gas to drive up there and turn around even though I do like the looser restrictions at their pistol range compared to others around me locally. |
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Not related to OP's club but I've driven up to Shiocton to find the pistol range closed a couple times due to police training. But its pretty much their range anyways so I wasn't too miffed about it other then the one time I called ahead and was told it was open when its wasn't.
I've stopped going there pretty much because of it. Not worth my time and gas to drive up there and turn around even though I do like the looser restrictions at their pistol range compared to others around me locally. There is still a 25 yard berm on the rifle side isn't there? I don't understand the big issue...
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There is still a 25 yard berm on the rifle side isn't there? I don't understand the big issue... Quoted:
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Not related to OP's club but I've driven up to Shiocton to find the pistol range closed a couple times due to police training. But its pretty much their range anyways so I wasn't too miffed about it other then the one time I called ahead and was told it was open when its wasn't.
I've stopped going there pretty much because of it. Not worth my time and gas to drive up there and turn around even though I do like the looser restrictions at their pistol range compared to others around me locally. There is still a 25 yard berm on the rifle side isn't there? I don't understand the big issue... I assumed shooting pistols at the rifle side was a no-no after getting scolded by a Park guy for shooting an AR-15 & 10/22 at the pistol range. |
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I don't understand why it is so difficult to be organized with something as simple as a private range. It boils down to having a good database really. How much does it cost now? Quoted:
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Saukville? I've never seen the cops out there but know that they use the range. They also never post anything in a timely fashion on the website; I think it is updated about once a year (then again - it was so bad I stopped looking, so it is possible it got better with the hundreds of new members we've got). I see nothing has changed in 15 years.
I was a member, but they botched so many things with renewals and schedules I just left. Very unorganized. Except now it costs twice as much. I don't understand why it is so difficult to be organized with something as simple as a private range. It boils down to having a good database really. How much does it cost now? Just sent my $75 |
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I find it funny how everyone assumes they know which range I'm talking about. No its not in Racine, and its not Daniel Boone. My club only has one range. And LEO days are not posted. Apparently the club has an agreement with the city so that leo's can train once a month. However that date is decided on by the police department and is not posted. I understand law enforcement needs training, just the way I was talked too was not professional. Quoted:
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If it's teh range i'm thikning of, you should expect LE there every day during first shift, especially since schedules have been posted for months.. There are 3 other ranges you could have used, why didn't you use them? I find it funny how everyone assumes they know which range I'm talking about. No its not in Racine, and its not Daniel Boone. My club only has one range. And LEO days are not posted. Apparently the club has an agreement with the city so that leo's can train once a month. However that date is decided on by the police department and is not posted. I understand law enforcement needs training, just the way I was talked too was not professional. Hence the use of the words "IF IT'S THE RANGE I'M THINKING OF"
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Because if civilians witnessed the part of their training where they yell "Freeze, nigger! BANG BANG BANG" ...it might be bad PR for the department.
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Why do they need exclusive use of the ranges? Why can't the "share" the ranges? Because if civilians witnessed the part of their training where they yell "Freeze, nigger! BANG BANG BANG" ...it might be bad PR for the department.
Plus in the bigger city areas, all the LEO departments are becoming more militarized and do not want outside people viewing their new tactics. And where did the OP go?? |
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I don't understand why it is so difficult to be organized with something as simple as a private range. It boils down to having a good database really. How much does it cost now? Quoted:
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Saukville? I've never seen the cops out there but know that they use the range. They also never post anything in a timely fashion on the website; I think it is updated about once a year (then again - it was so bad I stopped looking, so it is possible it got better with the hundreds of new members we've got). I see nothing has changed in 15 years.
I was a member, but they botched so many things with renewals and schedules I just left. Very unorganized. Except now it costs twice as much. I don't understand why it is so difficult to be organized with something as simple as a private range. It boils down to having a good database really. How much does it cost now? You should go to milford and see how unorganized a public range is. |
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Plus in the bigger city areas, all the LEO departments are becoming more militarized and do not want outside people viewing their new tactics. Which is asinine, because civilians can get training from the likes of Kyle Lamb, Pat McNamara, Pat Rogers, etc. Kyle Lamb has some really interesting classes available. Sully at Defensive Edge does as well. |
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I see nothing has changed in 15 years.
I was a member, but they botched so many things with renewals and schedules I just left. Very unorganized. Quoted:
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Saukville? I've never seen the cops out there but know that they use the range. They also never post anything in a timely fashion on the website; I think it is updated about once a year (then again - it was so bad I stopped looking, so it is possible it got better with the hundreds of new members we've got). I see nothing has changed in 15 years.
I was a member, but they botched so many things with renewals and schedules I just left. Very unorganized. I don't shoot at Saukville, but I do shoot at Ozaukee fish and game up near Waubeka. Ozaukee county has a range for the officers next door. (sounds like a war zone when they are there. heh) Why would they be taking over the Saukville range when they have their own? Nice thing about being next door to the county's is 1) we never get booted. 2) neighbors (although few) who moved in long after the range was there can't complain much about the racket or the range, since the county's is next door. Our berms are going on 20' tall. since the work done this summer, not much anyone can say. Downside is the rifle / pistol range is only 100 yards and faces West. If it's after 2pm and not overcast it's unusable. Bright side is the trap setup is quite nice.
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Which is asinine, because civilians can get training from the likes of Kyle Lamb, Pat McNamara, Pat Rogers, etc. Kyle Lamb has some really interesting classes available. Sully at Defensive Edge does as well. Quoted:
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Plus in the bigger city areas, all the LEO departments are becoming more militarized and do not want outside people viewing their new tactics. Which is asinine, because civilians can get training from the likes of Kyle Lamb, Pat McNamara, Pat Rogers, etc. Kyle Lamb has some really interesting classes available. Sully at Defensive Edge does as well. It is asinine but they don't want people to be getting it for free watching them.... plus they are kinda hush hush about being trained like spec ops units to a degree. |
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There is still a 25 yard berm on the rifle side isn't there? I don't understand the big issue... Quoted:
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Not related to OP's club but I've driven up to Shiocton to find the pistol range closed a couple times due to police training. But its pretty much their range anyways so I wasn't too miffed about it other then the one time I called ahead and was told it was open when its wasn't.
I've stopped going there pretty much because of it. Not worth my time and gas to drive up there and turn around even though I do like the looser restrictions at their pistol range compared to others around me locally. There is still a 25 yard berm on the rifle side isn't there? I don't understand the big issue... I was there a few weeks ago and don't remember seeing a 25 yard berm on the rifle ranges. I don't go to Shiocton much anymore because of the no steel rule. I understand why they have it. I just don't like it. I paid good money for my auto poppers, and dammit, I want to shoot at them without being hassled. |
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Well as someone looking for a private range to join in the south eastern part of the state I'd love if someone could IM me the name of this range and what the deal is with LEO usage.
If it's one that has keys distributed to each member I think I've run across it before. |
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I was there a few weeks ago and don't remember seeing a 25 yard berm on the rifle ranges. I don't go to Shiocton much anymore because of the no steel rule. I understand why they have it. I just don't like it. I paid good money for my auto poppers, and dammit, I want to shoot at them without being hassled. I have not yet made it there this year, but last year there was still a 25 yard berm in front of the long range firing line on the extreme right side. Perhaps it was removed. Someone should be along to confirm.. 
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