Hey guys,

I'm going to be up in the city watching a relative's house and thought I might spend some time shooting with a friend. Here's my situation:

• I have a FOID card, friend doesn't, although he was honorably discharged from the army a few years ago. Is this a problem?


• We'd both greatly prefer an outdoor range, might just skip it if all that is available is indoor


• We don't need anything special for range accommodations, we'd just be plinking (he'd be teaching me about the gun I bought)


• I live in NW IL, so I'd rather find a range with a day fee instead of membership (can get a membership if its easy enough though)


• Willing to travel 1-2 hours outside the city limits


• I'm an NRA member, he isn't, and NRA is the only organization I've joined so far


• This would be soon, depending on where the range is, sometime during the week of 5/27-6/3.

Any advice on a range we could check out, given the above?

Thanks!

This is one I know of

https://www.buffalorangeshootingpark.com/

I have not been there in many years, heard through the grapevine that it's kind of the wild West out there these days. Questionable safety, questionable characters, etc.

Hopefully others can chime in.

Aw man, $30/person for all day access is fantastic, thats too bad about the safety issues and such.

McMiller in Wisconsin

No FOID needed in Wisconsin

I haven't been there in a long time but this is the first I have heard of safety issues.  It was the first place I thought of and came to post in reply.

FOID for all shooters is not required by IL law but is a matter of range policy.

Where to shoot outdoors in IL archived thread/post
https://www.ar15.com/forums/hometown/Where-to-shoot-outdoors-in-IL-/23-616659/#i6807886

Buffalo Range in Ottawa
https://www.buffalorangeshootingpark.com

Ive seen places over the border in WI mentioned before...Bristol and McMiller
http://bristolranges.com
http://mcmillersportscenter.com

Same with IN...Willow Slough or Kingsbury
http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3080.htm
http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/files/fw-kingsbury_shooting_range.pdf

If you know an ASC member, they can have guests. It is in Waterman, IL. (Have read membership is now closed and there is a wait list)
http://www.aurorasc.org

Tri County Gun Club (Polo)
http://www.tcgc.net

St Charles Sportsmans Club (Elburn)
http://www.scsportsmans.org/sc/

Sycamore Sportsman's Club (in Sycamore, FB only I guess )
https://m.facebook.com/pages/Sycamore-Sportsmans-Club/111629652207326

Northern IL Rifle & Pistol Club (Rockford)
http://nirpc.com

I’ve been to Buffalo Range in Ottawa this year.
“Wild West” may be a bit harsh of a description.

Indiana has some nice ranges

Jasper Pulaski is free. 25 50 100 200 and a shotgun range. Closed on mondays and Tuesday’s. One porta potty

Willow Slough is a couple bucks per hour. It’s outside but does have walls and baffles for a roof. Not totally covered.
10 25 50 100 and shotgun. Closed on Monday's and Tuesday’s. They do have gun shop onsite and bathrooms.

Illinois is sparse for outdoor ranges in my opinion.

We actually joined the ISRA range in Bonfield earlier this year.

Jasper Pulaski is now - 10, 15, 25 - Pistols only
50, 100, 200
29, 40yd, clay area - shotgun only

It's been a couple of years but there were no safety issues at buffalo. One of these days I'll get back out there

I go out to BR at least 6 times a year. All I see every time are a bunch of folks from all walks of life having a great time shooting safely and no "questionable characters". The range officers are VERY strict when it comes to safety and they don't tolerate unsafe practices, that's a good thing.

For questionable characters and questionable safety issues look no further than rinks in lockport (indoor range).