RANGE RAMBLINGS
November 2023 Edition
Well, winter is coming on and we are switching to that mode. For those that may not be aware, the range is open during the winter, except for special events, which are rare in the winter. The road into the range is not officially plowed by the club, but if it is plowed, it is by a member using their own equipment. Last year was the first year in 5 that plowing was necessary. Come mud season, we may lock the gate to prevent ruts and getting stuck, but the range is still open, you just have to walk in from the gate. If we have a good snow year, hot brass will go right to the bottom, so don’t worry about it, we’ll get it at spring clean-up.
There seems to be some confusion about use of the tall target stands mounted to the outside of the range building. Those are the appropriate height for Bays 2 & 3 only. I’ve seen them mounted in the 25-yard base. They are too tall for that berm. Use the 2 short stands inside the range building. This problem will disappear once the roof over that base is completed and the target stands are left out all the time.
A small work party was held recently to prep for winter. A great crew showed up and several chores were completed. The 25-yard base was moved back in preparation for the installation of the new roof. Gary Cartier will look at it upon his return from hunting. If the ground is not too frozen, we will attempt it soon. Enough extra target stands were made to get us through the winter. All the roof materials were moved behind the close berm in Bay 1 to clear the way for plowing. New cardboard was placed all the way out to the 100-yard berm. Scrap wood was disposed of, and leaf blowing was done. Thanks to the volunteers that make the facility better for everyone!
You may have noticed the nice new table on Bay 2. That was built by members Anthony Vaccaro and his dad Steve on their own initiative! We were impressed by how well built it is, so we asked them to build 2 more and the club is paying for the materials. They are volunteering their time. The tables will go on Bays 1 and 3. The current table on Bay 1 is falling apart and will be removed once the new table is in place. Thank you, Steve and Anthony, nice work!
Porta-Potti is gone till April 1st. A sincere thank you to the member who wrote a blank check to pay for it and saved us from using brass money. $1,050 to be exact!
Tick spraying is also done for 2023. We never heard any concerns nor saw any ticks, so we will look to continue this successful program in 2024.
Projects for next year: gable ends on the new steel roof, new platform for shooting prone/Creedmore/obstacle at distance. Now that new bays are up and running, novice handgun classes, finally! Lord knows I’ve talked about it long enough. We have kits prepared for 4 students: SIG P320’s, holsters, mag carriers and electronic hearing protection. We will continue our community service project of spring and fall work parties at the Gilford Police range, which is also used by 5 local PD’s.
This winter (we hope!): Stop the Bleed class and an open to the public firearms safety class. These classes are free, but we will be looking for donations from the attendees to purchase 3 quality IFAK (individual first aid kit) for each bay, as well as an AED.
One thing we can do now, falling plates on Bay 3! Don’t get too excited, these are not steel, but self-healing plastic with a brand name of Throom. 2X4’s and self-healing nuts and bolts are completely ricochet free. They are a little pricey, but we’ve had some offers of donations to pay for them. For the targets, 2X4’s and replacement pieces (they can take 1000+ hits of ball. HPs are too destructive) we need $650. I caution those that may use them that anything over 1250 FPS will just pass through with no reaction from the target. They recommend 75 yards+ to be effective at that speed. 750 through 1250 FPS can be used 5-75 yards. If you wish to make a donation, text me at 603-387-2368.
You may have noticed materials stored near the new parking area. That is for another project not affiliated with the range, in case you were wondering.
Kevin Avery, chair of the Archery Committee, has asked if Range Ramblings could post some items of interest to archers and we are happy to accommodate that request! You may have noticed the old trailer was removed. A 20 foot conex storage container has been purchased and will be placed when an appropriate base has been built. A large kiosk with a map display (it will have other uses later) has been constructed and is awaiting two rather large holes. All it needs is a backhoe/excavator to finish the project (hint, hint, wink, wink). Almost all the 3D targets were destroyed by a bear. We will be working with F&G to find an answer to this problem. New targets will be looked at come spring. Looking at a roof over the permanent target to preserve and prolong the target material. A stump grinder was brought in to remove the worst stumps and a bucket loader/excavator created and/or cleaned up the two 3D ranges.
Big project is trying to find archery instructors, particularly in keeping with the club mission of mentoring youth in the outdoors. Kevin said certification can be done online, so if you know of an instructor, or it is something that might be of interest to you, let us know.
Archery Committee has 4 members:
Kevin Avery, Chair
Bob Vielleux
Mark Lewandowski
Will Hierholzer
Expect the December Range Ramblings early in the month. If I said the 1st of the month, no one would believe me, if the last few months are any indication!!!
Happy Thanksgiving from the Range Committee🍗
Rags Grenier Rangemaster
Bruce Klinger
Bubba Normandin
Ken Allen
Phil Tanner
Dustin Drew
November 2023 Edition
Well, winter is coming on and we are switching to that mode. For those that may not be aware, the range is open during the winter, except for special events, which are rare in the winter. The road into the range is not officially plowed by the club, but if it is plowed, it is by a member using their own equipment. Last year was the first year in 5 that plowing was necessary. Come mud season, we may lock the gate to prevent ruts and getting stuck, but the range is still open, you just have to walk in from the gate. If we have a good snow year, hot brass will go right to the bottom, so don’t worry about it, we’ll get it at spring clean-up.
There seems to be some confusion about use of the tall target stands mounted to the outside of the range building. Those are the appropriate height for Bays 2 & 3 only. I’ve seen them mounted in the 25-yard base. They are too tall for that berm. Use the 2 short stands inside the range building. This problem will disappear once the roof over that base is completed and the target stands are left out all the time.
A small work party was held recently to prep for winter. A great crew showed up and several chores were completed. The 25-yard base was moved back in preparation for the installation of the new roof. Gary Cartier will look at it upon his return from hunting. If the ground is not too frozen, we will attempt it soon. Enough extra target stands were made to get us through the winter. All the roof materials were moved behind the close berm in Bay 1 to clear the way for plowing. New cardboard was placed all the way out to the 100-yard berm. Scrap wood was disposed of, and leaf blowing was done. Thanks to the volunteers that make the facility better for everyone!
You may have noticed the nice new table on Bay 2. That was built by members Anthony Vaccaro and his dad Steve on their own initiative! We were impressed by how well built it is, so we asked them to build 2 more and the club is paying for the materials. They are volunteering their time. The tables will go on Bays 1 and 3. The current table on Bay 1 is falling apart and will be removed once the new table is in place. Thank you, Steve and Anthony, nice work!
Porta-Potti is gone till April 1st. A sincere thank you to the member who wrote a blank check to pay for it and saved us from using brass money. $1,050 to be exact!
Tick spraying is also done for 2023. We never heard any concerns nor saw any ticks, so we will look to continue this successful program in 2024.
Projects for next year: gable ends on the new steel roof, new platform for shooting prone/Creedmore/obstacle at distance. Now that new bays are up and running, novice handgun classes, finally! Lord knows I’ve talked about it long enough. We have kits prepared for 4 students: SIG P320’s, holsters, mag carriers and electronic hearing protection. We will continue our community service project of spring and fall work parties at the Gilford Police range, which is also used by 5 local PD’s.
This winter (we hope!): Stop the Bleed class and an open to the public firearms safety class. These classes are free, but we will be looking for donations from the attendees to purchase 3 quality IFAK (individual first aid kit) for each bay, as well as an AED.
One thing we can do now, falling plates on Bay 3! Don’t get too excited, these are not steel, but self-healing plastic with a brand name of Throom. 2X4’s and self-healing nuts and bolts are completely ricochet free. They are a little pricey, but we’ve had some offers of donations to pay for them. For the targets, 2X4’s and replacement pieces (they can take 1000+ hits of ball. HPs are too destructive) we need $650. I caution those that may use them that anything over 1250 FPS will just pass through with no reaction from the target. They recommend 75 yards+ to be effective at that speed. 750 through 1250 FPS can be used 5-75 yards. If you wish to make a donation, text me at 603-387-2368.
You may have noticed materials stored near the new parking area. That is for another project not affiliated with the range, in case you were wondering.
Kevin Avery, chair of the Archery Committee, has asked if Range Ramblings could post some items of interest to archers and we are happy to accommodate that request! You may have noticed the old trailer was removed. A 20 foot conex storage container has been purchased and will be placed when an appropriate base has been built. A large kiosk with a map display (it will have other uses later) has been constructed and is awaiting two rather large holes. All it needs is a backhoe/excavator to finish the project (hint, hint, wink, wink). Almost all the 3D targets were destroyed by a bear. We will be working with F&G to find an answer to this problem. New targets will be looked at come spring. Looking at a roof over the permanent target to preserve and prolong the target material. A stump grinder was brought in to remove the worst stumps and a bucket loader/excavator created and/or cleaned up the two 3D ranges.
Big project is trying to find archery instructors, particularly in keeping with the club mission of mentoring youth in the outdoors. Kevin said certification can be done online, so if you know of an instructor, or it is something that might be of interest to you, let us know.
Archery Committee has 4 members:
Kevin Avery, Chair
Bob Vielleux
Mark Lewandowski
Will Hierholzer
Expect the December Range Ramblings early in the month. If I said the 1st of the month, no one would believe me, if the last few months are any indication!!!
Happy Thanksgiving from the Range Committee🍗
Rags Grenier Rangemaster
Bruce Klinger
Bubba Normandin
Ken Allen
Phil Tanner
Dustin Drew
At the November Board of Directors meeting last Thursday night, Rags Grenier and Wes Williams ran for President and Vice-President of the BCSA respectively. We were voted in and Bubba Normandin is now Immediate Past President and John Kane is Immediate Past VP. They will both remain on the BOD and we are grateful for their service to the Association, as well as all of the Directors.
In the future, expect to hear more from the association regarding plans, goals and events that will directly benefit you, or better yet, request your participation to benefit your fellow members.
Now for the “Save the Date” invitation part. It has been some time since we have had the pleasure of seeing the clubhouse full of members for a social gathering. In the last 2 years, our membership has grown by over 110 new members. We think it’s time to meet old and new! To that end, the BOD voted to host a “Membership Appreciation Breakfast” on Sunday December 10th at 9 AM. Secretary Kathy DeNutte is preparing a flyer with all the details (it will be RSVP) you can expect soon. It will be by email, Facebook and our website. There will be one sitting, the hall will be decorated for Christmas and, if you are bringing young children, gifts. Please pass the word to other members you know in case they don’t get the word. Thank you!
Rags Grenier
President, BCSA
In the future, expect to hear more from the association regarding plans, goals and events that will directly benefit you, or better yet, request your participation to benefit your fellow members.
Now for the “Save the Date” invitation part. It has been some time since we have had the pleasure of seeing the clubhouse full of members for a social gathering. In the last 2 years, our membership has grown by over 110 new members. We think it’s time to meet old and new! To that end, the BOD voted to host a “Membership Appreciation Breakfast” on Sunday December 10th at 9 AM. Secretary Kathy DeNutte is preparing a flyer with all the details (it will be RSVP) you can expect soon. It will be by email, Facebook and our website. There will be one sitting, the hall will be decorated for Christmas and, if you are bringing young children, gifts. Please pass the word to other members you know in case they don’t get the word. Thank you!
Rags Grenier
President, BCSA
Range orientations will be scheduled by us on an as need basis. We will contact you if you need to be orientated. If you have any membership questions please call Kathy at 603-581-5062
