Beloit Chapter - Izaak Walton League of America

• Section 1: Gun Handling Rules - Specific gun handling safety rules to be observed on the Trapshooting Range.
• Section 2: General Range Rules - General range rules on how to safely use the Trapshooting Range.
• Section 3: Specific Range Rules - Rules that are unique and specific to the Trapshooting Range, including types of targets allowed and ammunition restrictions.
• Section 4: Administrative Range Rules - Rules that define hours of operation, notification for repairs and emergencies, and other administrative rules.
• Section 5: Trap Help Range Rules - Rules that define the duties and rules pertaining to Trap Pullers on the Trap Range.

This safety plan has been established to ensure the safety of those individuals who use this facility and the community at large. The rules and regulations in this document are to ensure the continuity of this facility and the continued safety of users and neighbors of this facility.

It is the responsibility of the BC-IWLA Safety Coordinator to direct this plan. It is the responsibility of the Beloit Board members to enforce safety rules.

The use of the Trapshooting Range at the Beloit Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America (BC-IWLA) is a privilege, and the use of firearms is an inherently dangerous activity. Your activities and actions must always be conducted in a manner that is consistent to safeguard yourself and others against harm or injury, and property against damage and destruction. The rules in this safety plan shall be adhered to in order to protect the lives and safety of all, and preserve your privilege.

Failure to follow the rules in this safety plan will result in punishment from the Board of Directors BC-IWLA. Scorers and anyone on the premise has the right to STOP unsafe activities until they are resolved. The BC-IWLA President or member of the BC-IWLA Board of Directors shall have the authority to take immediate action to suspend range privileges of users found violating the safety rules pending action by a majority of the BC-IWLA Board of Directors.

This document was developed using "The NRA Range Source Book". The structure of this document and the Gun Handling Rules are taken from "The NRA Range Source Book". This rules set complies with the recommendations of the NRA.

1. Treat every firearm as if it was loaded.
2. Always keep the muzzle of the firearm pointed in a safe direction.
3. Be aware of your target and what is beyond.
4. Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire and call for your bird.
5. Eye and hearing protection is required for everyone on the range while the range is "HOT". Eye protection is defined as lenses covering your eyes. Half glass (reading glasses) are not appropriate eye protection. Eye protection will be worn so it covers your eyes.
6. Do not mix alcohol or drugs with shooting activities. Alcohol is prohibited before shooting. Alcohol is also prohibited north past the flagpole. If a person is taking a prescription, over the counter drug bearing a warning about operating machinery, driving etc., or any substance which adversely affects their individual performance, that person will refrain from engaging in shooting activities until free from the effects of the drug or substance.
7. Be sure your firearm and ammunition are compatible. Carry only the correct gauge shells for the shotgun you are currently shooting. When switching to a different gauge barrel or shotgun, store the shells that were previously being used.

1. Know where others are at all times. The downrange (target) area shall be checked before any firing commences. Non-shooters must be in the safety zones immediately behind the current shooting station or completely off the range before loading or shooting commences.
2. Remove the magazine, shells, snap caps, or hulls from any part of the firearm, unload the chamber, open the action, and rack all firearms during a cease fire.
3. One shell may be loaded on all stations with the exception of Trap #4. On Trap #4 two shells may be loaded for doubles, five stand, and special shooting events. At no time will more than two shells be loaded in a shotgun on the Trap Range.
4. Do not load or fire your shotgun unless you are on a shooting station. A shotgun is considered loaded when the chamber or any part of the shotgun is occupied by a shell or hull, and shall be treated as a loaded shotgun.
5. Shotguns will be unloaded and the action will be open before stepping off the firing station. If a gun or trap malfunction occurs or the house runs out of birds the shotgun will be completely unloaded and action opened before any shooter steps off the station or before anyone traverses the range outside the safety zone.
6. If a shell misfires keep the shotgun pointed downrange for a minimum of 30 seconds before unloading. Do not place the misfired shell in your pocket or pouch.
7. Keep the action open and the firearm unloaded until ready to use. Shotguns may be placed in the shotgun racks during a cease fire and when not in use. Break action shotguns may be closed while in the rack, but must be opened as soon as they are removed from the rack. All other shotgun action types shall have the action open while on the range or in the rack unless the shooter is on a station and ready to shoot.
8. No hand held or portable traps may be used. No unauthorized devices or equipment may be used on, attached or connected to Range equipment. Exceptions may be granted by the Trap Range Officer/Coordinator.
9. Any shooter whose shotgun accidentally discharges for mechanical reasons shall be required to change shotguns or, if time permits, make repairs before continuing to shoot.
10. Only one shooter may fire at a time, and only one shot per clay (target) is permitted. The only exception is at Special events requiring other types of shooting must be approved by the Trap Range Officer/Coordinator or the Board of Directors.

1. No shot larger than #7 1/2 shall be used on the trap range, no tracer or incendiary type shells shall be used. No loads greater than ATA approved. This rule is mandated by safety and EPA environmental requirements and there are no exceptions. Violators will be subject to permanent suspension and trespassing charges.
2. Only legal modern 12, 16, 20, 28, and .410 gauge shotguns may be fired. Under no circumstances shall pistols, rifles, or black powder firearms be used on the trap range.
3. Only clay targets may be used. Other targets must be approved by the Trap Range President.
4. Shooters may not advance to the next station until all shooters in the group have completed the current shooting station. Shooters in waiting and spectators must be in the safety zone behind the current station. Shooters and spectators may not be on the walkways between shooting stations during any shooting activity. Spectators may also observe from the shelter.
5. The use of the field shall be limited to 30 minutes or one regulation round of Trap if groups are waiting to use the Trap Range.
6. Only BC-IWLA Board members & Trap Pullers who have completed training may enter the trap houses. Under no circumstances are any guests, or other persons to enter the trap houses, load clay targets, retrieve objects from within the trap houses, or operate trap machine.

1. Hours of Operation for the range facility are Sunday 10 AM - 3:00 PM, and Tuesday 5:00 PM-8:00 PM.
2. All shooting and archery range facilities are closed on The Fourth of July, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Gun Deer Hunting season. Any additional closing will be approved by the BC-IWLA Board or Executive Board, and posted on the chalk & peg board.
3. Every member using the Range is responsible to ensure the rules are followed. Everyone shall report violations of Range rules and/or unsafe circumstances to the BC-IWLA Board or Executive Board. The person/persons names will be confidential.
4. No notices or signage shall be posted on any part of the Range facility without the permission of the BC-IWLA Board or Executive Board.
5. The Chapter President, Vice President shall be notified whenever 911 is called; or emergency response personnel are called to the Beloit Chapter property; or for any incident requiring medical attention, even after the fact. The physical location of the Chapter property shall be posted in the Trap Range shelter along with a listing of contact numbers for people who need to be notified.
6. No construction on, alteration to, digging or depositing of soil, planting or removal of vegetation, mowing or any modification to the range and or related facilities is allowed without the prior approval of the BC-IWLA Board or Executive Board.
7. The BC-IWLA Board or Executive Board will have final authority on all Range facilities and their use.
8. These rules may be changed, amended, or rescinded at any time with approval of the by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Any permanent changes will be finalized in accordance with the "rules" procedures of the Chapter by-laws.
9. All federal, state, and local laws in addition to Chapter rules & regulations shall be obeyed while on Chapter property including the Range.

1. After shooting has completed and before being paid out rollup the release cord and place it in the trap house, turn off the power to the trap machines, release the arms of the trap machines, sweep out the trap houses, remove all empty boxes, load trap house, load traps, lock the trap house, and turn off the main power on the pole.
2. You are responsible to clean up the range. All Hulls/Shells must be removed from the range surface and disposed of in an appropriate manner. Empty shell boxes and other large containers shall be removed from the range and placed in the dumpster. If a trash container is full it shall be emptied into the dumpster and returned to the range grounds.
3. If you are unable to work you need to call the President or Vice President prior to the start of the work day.
4. NO use of cell phones is allowed while pulling/scoring trap.
5. All trap personnel will be responsible for bring in all score sheets to the counter.
6. Should any situation occur you feel could be unsafe you are to stop all activity on your trap until it has been cleared by an BC-IWLA Board or Executive Board member.