Safety is our number one concern.

The Island Lake Shooting Range is committed to the strict adherence of all shooting and gun handling rules. The following rules apply to everyone, novice and expert alike. Violations will not be tolerated and may result in ejection from the facility.

General clay target range rules:

• Ear and eye protection are MANDATORY for all shooters and spectators.
• Gun action MUST be open at all times prior to your turn to shoot.
• Gun MUST NOT be loaded until you are in the shooting position.
• Gun MUST be pointed down range while loading.
• Gun MUST be empty with action open before leaving shooting station.
• ALWAYS point gun in a safe direction.
• No more than 2 shells are allowed to ever be loaded in the gun.
• Shotgun ammunition MUST be 7-1/2 to 9 shot, 3-1/4 drams of powder or less.
• Shotguns must have 26" minimum barrel length (excluding youth model shotguns)
• Please notify shooting range staff of any non-working machines. DO NOT attempt to fix.

Whether you are a beginner or champion seeking world-class shotgun instruction, check out the individual, semi-private and group lessons offered through Pat Lieske's School of Shooting.

Safety rules for the rifle and pistol range.

General Rules

• Range hours have been established to ensure safety and protect your range against vandalism. Shooting is allowed only when range personnel is present.
• Firearms must be unloaded and cased in order to enter the range.
• Shooters under the age of 16 must be supervised by an adult.
• Firearms can only be uncased at the shooting stations on the firing lines. They must be cased prior to leaving the shooting station.
• Shooters must keep their firearms pointed in a safe direction at all times.
• Firearms may be loaded and discharged only at an established shooting station.
• Only approved targets may be used; no human form silhouettes or metal targets. Paper targets with a bull's eye pattern or a depiction of legal game may be used. Shooters must provide their own targets.
• No alcoholic beverages are allowed at the ranges. Individuals under the influence of alcohol are not allowed to shoot.
• Shooters are responsible for keeping their shooting area in order and properly disposing of all targets, trash and shell casings.
• For Your Protection - All shooters must provide and wear eye and ear protection.

Rifle/Pistol Range Rules

• Up to six rounds may be loaded in the magazine and chamber, with a minimum of three seconds required between shots. Range officers may suspend this permission, based on his/her discretion, when conditions exist that may compromise the safety of the shooters and others.
• The 25-, 50- and 100-yard ranges are designated for hand-held rifles, muzzle loaders (not exceeding .70 caliber), pistols, revolvers and shotguns with slugs only.
• Paper targets must be fastened to backboards. Targets may not be set up part way down range.
• Firearms can only be loaded at and discharged from established shooting stations on the firing line and under the discretion of a range officer.
• Always keep muzzles pointed downrange.
• During a target check, shooters must move behind the yellow line and are not permitted to reenter the shooting line until the range command, "All clear down range, you may commence fire. Commence fire." is given.
• Firearms may not be taken down range.
• No incendiary, explosive and/or tracer ammunition.
• No open flame or lighted smoking materials on the firing line or transfer table. Smoking and cell phones are allowed in the designated areas only.

Muzzleloader Range Rules

• A brass flask or cow horn, holding less than one pound of black powder or a black powder substitute, may be used.
• Load muzzleloaders from a separate powder measure only, not from the container - and only at the shooting stations.
• No open powder or pellet containers are allowed on the firing line.
• Firearms larger than .70 caliber are prohibited.
• Before target check occurs, all muzzle loaders must be discharged and have no obstruction in the barrel.

Additional environmental information

In addition to the safety rules above, the Island Lake management has taken many steps to curb the sound that is naturally generated from a gun range. From soil berms, to specialized shooting stations with sound-deadening treatments, to restrictions on the types of firearms allowed, the Island Lake range is an excellent example of how a modern shooting range can co-exist within a busy and popular suburban community. The Island Lake management is committed to its role as a respected community member and valuable recreational resource.