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PERMIT 'REQUIRED'
TO USE BIG HOLLOW SHOOTING RANGES
Shooting Range Certification Courses:

Monday July 13, 2009 -- 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday September 12, 2009 -- 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday November 04, 2009 -- 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
All Classes are held at Starr's Cave Nature Center; no pre-registration required.  $25.00 individual or $30.00-Family Memberships


Range Reservation & Closing Schedule"
Click Here

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.   




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.
 

July 07, 2009, Tuesday - 50 Meter Range is reserved from 8:00 a.m. to Noon for the DMC Sheriff's Office.  Contact is Lieutenant Williams.  (Reserved 03-11-09)

July 09, 2009, Thursday - 50 Meter Range is reserved from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the DMC Sheriff's Office.  Contact is Lieutenant Williams.  (Reserved 03-11-09)

July 09, 2009, Thursday - 50 Meter Range is reserved from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for the DMC Sheriff's Office.  Contact is Lieutenant Williams.  (Reserved 03-11-09)

July 11, 2009, Saturday - All Ranges are reserved from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon for the Des Moines County Conservation Hunter Education Course.  Contact is Mark Lieurance.  (Reserved 01-02-09)

July 28, 2009, Tuesday - 25 and 100 Meter Ranges are reserved from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. for the Burlington Police Department for Training.  Contact is Greg Allen.  (Reserved 12-30-08)

July 30, 2009, Thursday - 25 and 100 Meter Ranges are reserved from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. for the Burlington Police Department for Training.  Contact is Greg Allen.  (Reserved 12-30-08)

August 20, 2009, Thursday - 25 Meter Range is reserved from 8:00 p.m. to Noon for the DMC Sheriff's Office.  Contact is Lieutenant Williams.  (Reserved 03-11-09)

August 26, 2009, Wednesday - 25 Meter Range is reserved from 8:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. for the DMC Sheriff's Office.  Contact is Lieutenant Williams.  (Reserved 03-11-09)

August 27, 2009, Thursday - 25 Meter Range is reserved from 8:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. for the DMC Sheriff's Office.  Contact is Lieutenant Williams.  (Reserved 03-11-09)

September 12, 2009, Saturday - 25 and 50 Meter Ranges are reserved from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the Southeastern Community College Hunter Education Course.  Contact is Steve Kershner.  (Reserved 02-13-09)

September 15, 2009, Tuesday - 25 and 50 Meter Ranges are reserved from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for the Burlington Police Department for Training.  Contact is Greg Allen.  (Reserved 12-30-08)

September 17, 2009, Thursday - 25 and 50 Meter Ranges are reserved from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for the Burlington Police Department for Training.  Contact is Greg Allen.  (Reserved 12-30-08)

September 17, 2009, Thursday - 25 and 50 Meter Ranges are reserved from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for the DMC Sheriff's Office.  Contact is Lieutenant Williams.  (Reserved 03-11-09)

September 25 & 26th, 2009, Friday Night and Saturday - The 25 and 50 Meter Ranges are reserved from Midnight on Friday thru 6:00 p.m. Saturday. The Burlington Police Department will be holding their yearly Top Gun Event.  Contact is Grant Hillyer.  (Reserved 04-27-09)

September 29, 2009, Tuesday - 25 and 50 Meter Ranges are reserved from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the DMC Sheriff's Office.  Contact is Lieutenant Williams.  (Reserved 03-11-09)

September 30, 2009, Wednesday - 25 and 50 Meter Ranges are reserved from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the DMC Sheriff's Office.  Contact is Lieutenant Williams.  (Reserved 03-11-09)

October 22, 2009, Thursday - 25 Meter Range is reserved from 8:00 a.m. to Noon for the DMC Sheriff's Office.  Contact is Lieutenant Williams.  (Reserved 03-11-09)

October 24, 2009, Saturday - All Ranges are reserved from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon for the Des Moines County Conservation Hunter Education Course.  Contact is Mark Lieurance.  (Reserved 01-02-09)

October 28, 2009, Wednesday - 25 Meter Range is reserved from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for the Department of Public Safety-Division of Criminal Investigation.  Contact is Jeff Uhlmeyer I-147.  (Reserved 06-17-09)

December 01, 2009, Tuesday - 25 Meter Range is reserved from 8:00 a.m. to Noon for the DMC Sheriff's Office.  Contact is Lieutenant Williams.  (Reserved 03-11-09)

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.


 
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