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Gun Range/Camp Ground


H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619

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This is a mostly speculative idea.   

 

When I have been to larger multi day shoots, I will see a lot of campers, trailers and RV's gathered together in an area designated for them.   Most of the time these spots have no "hookups" for those using them.   Makes sense, really, since the range in question is just that, a gun range, not a campground.

 

But I got to thinking, would it be possible to be both?   Granted, this could only be done if the place in question has a LOT of land, most of which is not being used, but I thought it was an intriguing possibility.   Basically I am thinking of it as a campground that happens to have a shooting range that would be open to campers.  Once a year at the annual shoot, only registered shooters can reserve a spot.    The rest of the time, anyone and everyone can use it like a normal campground, but they could make use of the shooting facilities.   On the weekends, it would be a way to expose more folks to our game, and perhaps get them interested.  The campground itself would cater to, and likely draw folks who are shooters already, so the possibilities are endless.   Assuming a LOT of surplus land, all kinds of different shooting bays could be set up in addition to the few that would be reserved for a monthly CAS match.   It would be a LOT of work, require more than a little full time staff, and there would probably be a lot of legal questions, but I really wonder if it could be done.   The upside is that as an active campground, it would generate a steady stream of income for the club that tries it.   You could even make sure there is a small shop on the grounds that sells guns, ammo and gear.  Maybe even have some rentals available.   A snack bar or even a small place to get a meal might work as well, as would any of the other things you might find at a typical campground.

Like I said at the onset, this is a highly speculative idea.   Any place that wanted to try it would need a LOT of land to work with.   I'd assume it'd have to be not only in a more gun friendly state, but the land requirements would probably mean it needs to be way out West.   [West of the Mississippi, not just the Hudson.  Gotta let my New England provincialism show somewhere.]   I also tend to think a more southerly location so it could operate year round instead of only for a few months of the year would make sense as well.   The key is the amount of land that would be needed.  Having been to End of the Trail, I don't think even Founders Ranch has enough space to put in a real campground area, but it does have all kinds of other great infrastructure in place.  But the idea is intriguing to me.   So I thought I'd share it.

 

 

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I frequent a lot of county, state and federal campgrounds in my travels around the southeastern U.S.  I generally try to avoid privately owned campgrounds because they tend to be very cramped, expensive for short stays and/or have a lot of run down permanent resident campers.  There are some exceptions.  Most of what I consider nicer campgrounds are located on water. (river, lake, ocean).  

 

Gun clubs are most successful if they are located near large population centers that have people who can afford the shooting sports but don't have their own land to shoot on.  I think trying to combine a gun club and a campground which are both open to the general public would be a financial and liability disaster.   However, if you do find the perfect location, You can expect me to show up for a match in my camper someday.  Good luck.

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One problem will be an increased risk of theft.  Campers are not the most theft resistant and almost all makes and models have some serious security flaws.  Unless you put on extra security it will soon gain a reputation as a hot spot for theft.

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Ben Avery, shooting complex in Arizona is just as you described started small but grew and grew.  

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North Alabama Regulators at Cavern Cove has such a set up. We host Alabama State and Southeast Regional. When our camping fills up there is Cathedral Caverns State Park with some right over the ridge.

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There are numerous ranges that have camping facilities.  However, I haven't been to any that are open to the public without attending a scheduled match or joining the gun club.  That Tombstone Livery that Tex mentioned looks like it's pretty close to your speculative idea.  Camping on the range is one of my favorite things to do.

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We have at least two ranges here with a few electrical hookups, but unless you need 110v for a medical condition or somesuch, why?

 

A campground with a shooting range is a lot different than a shooting range with camping space. I don't think most people would like to pull into a campground after a long day on the road, and hear gunshots 50 yards away.

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