New Resident of PA

[calicoon_023]

Greetings!

I am recently a new PA resident (formerly from NJ), residing near Lancaster.

I am currently a casual shooter- more interested in busting some clays, and (maybe) keeping score- rather than going to a trap range per'se. Also interesting in rifle and pistol target shooting, working to better my technique.

In NJ I had the option of going to one or two wild life management areas that had designated public shotgun ranges. Is there anything like this on any PA state game lands? Is there anything stopping me from setting up some paper targets and practice target shooting with a rifle on PA state game lands?

Might there be any gun clubs or shooting ranges (outdoor?) in the Lancaster County (+/-) area that anyone might recommend? (I've seen the websites of about a dozen)

Thanks for responding and looking forward to shooting again in warmer weather!

-Matt

[PisnNapalm]

I can't help you as far as ranges go in that area, but I will say "Welcome to PA and congrats on leaving the PRNJ."

[Triegle]

I am a member at the Palmyra Sportsman's club in Palmyra, Lebanon county. little distance for you, but they have decent ranges and the president of the club is a pretty nice guy. They have indoor 7 outdoor pistol range. Rifle range out to 200yds. pistol "action range" (dropping plates and such), rolling trap, sporting clays, and nice helpful members... for the most part. lol. If you are up for the travel i would say thats a good place to go!

I believe initial membership is a bit steep though... around $80 and then $60 or so to renew each year

[CHEMICAL]

to answer your question about state game lands....you can not just set up and shoot wherever and whenever you want. there are designated state game land ranges. as far as hanging your own targets there...you can....but it has to be during a cease fire....which shouldnt be a problem since every time I go it seems like someone is calling a ceasefire every 5 friggin minutes or less.

[bigandy1966]

Welcome to America! Thats why our state signs when entering used to say "America Starts Here" until PRNJ complained about the innuendo that they weren't part of the USA. True story
anyway,
Some of the state Gamelands have shooting ranges,
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal...=620410&mode=2

[calicoon_023]

pisnnapalm- thanks! i've settled in fairly nice here

triegle- that's not too far from me at all, I think I'll check it out. Thanks for the tip!

chemical- noted, thank you!

-Matt

[calicoon_023]

thanks for the link bigandy!

[keystoneman 85]

Check out Manheim Sportsmans Association and Elstonville Sportsmans Association.

I belong to Manheim and go to Elstonville quite a bit.

Welcome!

[keystoneman 85]

Guess I should provide links.

Manheim - http://www.manheimsportsmansassoc.org/
Elstonville - http://elstonville.com/

If you like to drink and also eat at your clubs then Elstonville is your choice. If you like nicer ranges then Manheim is your choice. If you require a pond on premise or playgrounds for children then again, Elstonville.

[oblivionboyj]

Hi Matt, and welcome to the neighborhood

You may not set up targets in the game lands for target practice, but there are some ranges that are run by the DNR.
I do not off hand know of any all that close to Lancaster county though.
Don't take my word on that one though, I haven't really done much research on the public range thing.
The only one I have ever shot at is over in northwest York county.

Where are you in the county?
I have belonged to a couple of nice clubs.
When I lived in Ronks (east/central Lancaster county) I was a member of Paradise Sportsmans association.
I moved to SOLANCO last year and a member of the SLCFSA now.
There are a bunch of nice little clubs in the county, and the annual dues seem to be in the $35 to $60 range, so they are pretty affordable too.

I do not know what kind of shooting you like, but I can tell you that there is an IDPA match at the New Holland club the first Sunday of every month ($15 entry for a great time and some great training) and my club (SLCFSA) has regular CMP and cowboy shoots.
If there is a style of shooting you like there is going to be a club holding an event to suit your tastes, so dish the information and we will dish back

I can tell you that there will be some gun culture shock for you, so keep your eyes and you mind open.
I moved here from IL, and I experienced many pleasant surprises when I learned the gun laws in PA