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Range Reservation & Closing Schedule"
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The Shooting Range Complex Advisory Committee will now meet quarterly. 
Meetings are held 6:00 p.m. at Starr’s Cave Nature Center.
 

Want to Shoot at Targets Closer
Than 25-meters?
by Dan Hockett


Since installation of new fixed target frames at the Big Hollow Shooting Range Complex we have received several questions from handgun shooters who would like to practice their handgun skills at less than 25-meters.

Several shooters have asked, “May we practice our handgun skills at 5, 7, or 10-yards?” The answer is yes, if you follow a few simple rules.

If you are the ONLY shooter on either the 25 or 50-meter shooting bay you are allowed to walk downrange closer to the target. If you do choose to walk downrange to shoot at targets, be sure to follow ALL safe gun-handling and range safety rules.

1.     You MUST be the ONLY shooter on either the 25 or 50-meter shooting bay. If other shooters are present on the shooting bay, you are NOT allowed to walk downrange to shoot at targets.

2.    Keep your gun pointed in a safe direction. As you walk downrange to your new chosen distance from the target keep your gun safely pointed downrange or at the ground.

3.     Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot.

4.    Do NOT load your gun until you’re ready to shoot. This means do NOT load your gun until AFTER you walk downrange to your new chosen distance from the target. For example; DO NOT load cartridges in the cylinder of your revolver or insert a magazine into your pistol until after you walk downrange to your new chosen distance. 

 Remember, shooting at targets closer than the established firing line is ONLY ALLOWED on the 25-meter and 50-meter shooting bays if you are the ONLY SHOOTER present in the bay.

All shooting benches, tables and seats must remain under the firing line cover. Do NOT drag any benches, tables or seats downrange.

Leaving the established firing line to shoot at targets is NEVER ALLOWED on the 100-meter or 300-meter shooting bays.

If you have any questions about the Big Hollow Shooting Range Complex please call the Des Moines County Conservation office at (319)753-8260. 

Enjoy the shooting range and be safe.
 

Reminder:   Our Next Shooting Range Safety/Certification Class for this year will be:         

Saturday - May 03, 2008   2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Monday - July 14, 2008   7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday - September 06, 2008   2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday - November 05, 2008   7:00 to 10:00 p.m.

 All classes are held at Starr’s Cave Nature Center. Remember, no pre-registration is required. Just show up.  After successful
completion of certification class fee's are $25.00 per year for Single and $30.00 per year for Family Memberships.

If you would like to use the new expanded Big Hollow Shooting Range, please join us at our next safety class. You’ll be glad you did.   


Shooting Range
 Reservation and Closing Schedule

The schedule being provided on this website is for the convenience of our members and citizens..  These notices will also appear in The Hawk Eye newspaper prior to the reservation date; if possible.  The date the notice appears is up to The Hawk Eye as this is a community service they provide as our local newspaper.
 

May 06, 2008, Tuesday - 25 Meter Range is reserved from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the Des Moines County Sheriff's Office for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Clint Williams.

May 07, 2008, Wednesday - 25 Meter Range is reserved from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the Des Moines County Sheriff's Office for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Clint Williams.

May 08, 2008, Thursday - 300 Meter Range is reserved from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for the Southeast Iowa Civil War Round Table.  Contact is Charles Varboncouer.

May 14, 2008, Wednesday - 25 Meter Range is reserved from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for the Iowa DCI.  Contact if Jeff Uhlmeyer.

May 15, 2008, Thursday - 25 Meter Range is reserved from 6:00 p.m. to dark for the Des Moines County Sheriff's Office for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Clint Williams.

May 16, 2008, Friday - 100 Meter Range is reserved from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  The Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility will be using the range for training.  Contact is Kelly Johnson.

May 17, 2008, Saturday - All Ranges will be reserved from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for the Youth Jamboree.

May 19, 2008, Monday - 25 & 50 Meter Ranges are reserved from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The Iowa StatePatrol - District #13 will be training.  Contact is Lt. Jalas #231.

May 20, 2008, Tuesday - 25 & 100 Meter Ranges are reserved from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the Burlington Police Department for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Greg Allen.

May 21, 2008, Wednesday - 25 Meter Range is reserved from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Noon) for the Des Moines County Sheriff's Office for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Clint Williams.

May 22, 2008, Thursday - 25 & 100 Meter Ranges are reserved from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the Burlington Police Department for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Greg Allen.

June 25, 2008, Wednesday - 50 Meter Range is reserved from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Noon) for the Des Moines County Sheriff's Office for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Clint Williams.

June 26, 2008, Thursday - 50 Meter Range is reserved from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the Des Moines County Sheriff's Office for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Clint Williams.

July 17, 2008, Thursday - 50 Meter Range is reserved from 6:00 p.m. to Dark  for the Des Moines County Sheriff's Office for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Clint Williams.

July 22, 2008, Tuesday - 50 Meter Range is reserved from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  for the Des Moines County Sheriff's Office for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Clint Williams.

July 23, 2008, Wednesday - 100 Meter Range is reserved from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Noon)  for the Des Moines County Sheriff's Office for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Clint Williams.

July 29, 2008, Tuesday - 25 & 100 Meter Ranges are reserved from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. for the Burlington Police Department for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Greg Allen.

July 31, 2008, Thursday - 25 & 100 Meter Ranges are reserved from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. for the Burlington Police Department for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Greg Allen.

August 20, 2008, Wednesday - 25 Meter Range is reserved from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Noon)  for the Des Moines County Sheriff's Office for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Clint Williams.

August 21, 2008, Thursday - 100 Meter Range is reserved from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  for the Des Moines County Sheriff's Office for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Clint Williams.

September 09, 2008, Tuesday - 50 Meter Range is reserved from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. (Night Qualifications) for the Des Moines County Sheriff's Office for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Clint Williams.

September 10, 2008, Wednesday - 50 Meter Range is reserved from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. (Night Qualifications)  for the Des Moines County Sheriff's Office for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Clint Williams.

September 13, 2008, Saturday - 25 & 50 Meter Ranges are reserved from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for Hunter Safety Classes.  Contact is Steve Kershner.

September 16, 2008, Tuesday - 25 & 50 Meter Ranges are reserved from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for the Burlington Police Department for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Greg Allen.

September 18, 2008, Tuesday - 25 Meter Range is reserved from 10:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. (Night Qualifications) for the Des Moines County Sheriff's Office for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Clint Williams.

September 18, 2008, Thursday - 25 & 50 Meter Ranges are reserved from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for the Burlington Police Department for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Greg Allen.

October 15, 2008, Wednesday - 50 Meter Range is reserved from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Noon) for the Des Moines County Sheriff's Office for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Clint Williams.

October 28, 2008, Tuesday - 25 Meter Range is reserved from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the Des Moines County Sheriff's Office for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Clint Williams.

October 29, 2008, Wednesday - 25 Meter Range is reserved from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the Des Moines County Sheriff's Office for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Clint Williams.

November 19, 2008, Wednesday - 100 Meter Range is reserved from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Noon) for the Des Moines County Sheriff's Office for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Clint Williams.

December 17, 2008, Wednesday - 25 Meter Range is reserved from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Noon) for the Des Moines County Sheriff's Office for Training.  Contact is Sgt. Clint Williams.

If you have questions you may contact us at dmcconbd@co.des-moines.ia.us

 

These ranges may be used by the public after the reserved times when range's are available.


 Calendar of Events