French Creek Park outdoor range

[Kemosabe]

Recently purchased a .22 pistol and am thinking of going to French Creek. I'm fairly new and wanted to know what kind of targets they have? Will I have to bring my own paper targets to shoot?

Also, I asked at a local gun shop about the range, and the owner suggested I bring a buddy to shoot with, or NOT leave behind anything I wouldn't want stolen while walking down-range, as they've heard stories about this happening, particularly early morning and late day hours. I'm able to get to the range on weekdays, late morning and early afternoon, but I'll be going solo.

Anyone have recent experiences or knowledge about the place they can share?

Thanks.

[Remington788]

Weekdays should be better than weekends. Still, keep a close eye on anyone else shooting. It can be like the wild west.

Make sure you have your hunting license or range permit.
Read the posted rules and follow them. Assume there is a game warden hiding waiting for you to break the rules.

Bring your own paper targets and stapler.

[bigandy1966]

I think its the state gamelands adjacent to French creek state park. +1 on Keeping an eye on your fellow shooters. You are in delco, look into Delaware county field and stream. I am a member there and To me its better than hiking out to the SGL and back. Safer too, for reasons I won't get into here.
You will use it more since you live closer so you will get your money's worth. But the dues are like $160 year, there are some membership background checks now or something like that. If you went 1x a week thats $3 per trip, and save gas on the trip out.
They have orientation tours on Sundays at noon, its on their website. http://www.dcfsa.org/
Down side is they do not allow rapid fire, 5 rounds in mags, wheel guns, and its more set up for target shooters than practicing self defense drawing and shooting scenarios.

[Kemosabe]

Thanks for the info on Delco F&S. I think I will give that a try. Do you know if I can bring my own ammo/targets or do I have to buy theirs at the shop?

[bigandy1966]

You can bring your own targets and ammo but they can't be human shaped, animals or anything like that "zombies" are out. The club is run by older target shooters and hunters. Its changing, but change takes time. You have to remember this club is in the middle of a heavily suburbanized area.
Read up on the web site, it has a lot to offer the shooting sports enthusiasts, from archery to air guns, cross bows to skeet. If you fish they do trout stocking and hold trout rodeos for the kids. They have hunter ed classes too.

[Walleye Hunter]

That French Creek range ain't what it used to be. 1) You need to either have a permit to shoot there or have a hunting license and the hunting license is cheaper. 2) IIRC they no longer have pistol targets up and the trap range is closed. It has fallen prey to the current batch of trash that has to screw everything up for everyone else.

[kobsw]

I think its the state gamelands adjacent to French creek state park. +1 on Keeping an eye on your fellow shooters. You are in delco, look into Delaware county field and stream. I am a member there and To me its better than hiking out to the SGL and back. Safer too, for reasons I won't get into here.
You will use it more since you live closer so you will get your money's worth. But the dues are like $160 year, there are some membership background checks now or something like that. If you went 1x a week thats $3 per trip, and save gas on the trip out.
They have orientation tours on Sundays at noon, its on their website. http://www.dcfsa.org/
Down side is they do not allow rapid fire, 5 rounds in mags, wheel guns, and its more set up for target shooters than practicing self defense drawing and shooting scenarios.

Big..., Is DF&S still closed do to Wolf's poor decision making ability? They're website still says it is.

Kobsw

[243winxb]

I would make a call, if making a long drive to get to the range.


Or watch for a report here.

[Walleye Hunter]

Big..., Is DF&S still closed do to Wolf's poor decision making ability? They're website still says it is.

Kobsw

I believe that ranges are still closed per Wolf's order so if you have one that's open I'd keep quiet about it.

[RockIsland]

I heard something on the radio that they were opening in some of the not red color zones.