General Rules

  • The general rules are common among the ranges unless otherwise noted and are used in conjunction with the range specific rules for each range.
  • It is the intent of these rules to provide a safe shooting environment under general range use. It is the responsibility of the shooter to ask any questions they have regarding these or any range rules prior to use of the range they are using.  Questions can be directed to any Club or Range Officer of Delaware County Field & Stream Association. Specific range rules may be modified by the Chief Range Officer for club matches after receiving required approval from the governing committees.  When made these modifications shall NOT be interpreted as a general replacement of the rules listed in this book for anyone else or any other use.
  • Eye and hearing protection are required on all ranges except for Archery and Airgun ranges where only eye protection is required.
  • Injuries must be reported to the club office as soon as the person is stable so the incident can be documented.  
  • All individuals participating in a shooting activity are required to have on their persons a current membership card or guest permit visible for inspection. 
  • Only Senior members or Limited Range members are permitted to bring guests per the current daily limit. The guest daily limit can be found at the club office. Junior members are not permitted to bring guests or make purchases from the club office.
  • All members are empowered to enforce these rules and encouraged to report violations to a range officer or to the club office.
  • All shooters must register by signing the appropriate range register book. 
  • Before shooting begins members must purchase the required guest passes from the club office, exception is made for those shooting in invitational matches where there is registration and fee for the match where the fee is accepted in lieu of the guest pass fee for the duration of the match only. 
  • Members shall always accompany their guest(s) while on club grounds. Members with guests shall utilize no more than (2) shooting positions directly next to each other. If that is not possible the member and guest must share the same lane. Members should contact the club office prior to arrival to confirm the number of guests permitted that day.
  • All members and guests under 21 years of age on the Pistol Range, under 16 years of age on the Archery Range and under 18 years of age on all other ranges, must be accompanied by an adult member 21 years of age or older. Babies, toddlers and small children are not permitted on the ranges while shooting activities are in progress.
  • All shooters are responsible to ensure that their equipment is safe and in good condition.
  • All shooters are expected to be familiar with range rules and are expected to follow the safety commands of Range Officers or other members overseeing the range operation.
  • All uncased shotguns and long rifles carried to and from the ranges must be visibly empty of ammunition and with actions OPEN. All handguns brought to the pistol range must be encased in a container safe for the transport of guns.
  • The carrying of a naked handgun, holstered handgun, or wearing a holstered handgun anywhere on club property is PROHIBITED. (Exception is made for a uniformed on-duty law Enforcement Officers and while on the range during a club approved match)
  • No firearms, air guns, bows or crossbows are allowed in the clubhouse.
  • The hours for shooting on all ranges is from 9A.M. until sunset, except for Shotgun shooting and pistols using magnum loads which are not permitted before12-noon on Sundays. All ranges promptly cease shooting at SUNSET, (the rule is sunset, not dusk, not hunting hours). Rimfire magnums are exempt from the 12-noon Sunday delayed start time.
  • The hours for the club grounds are weekdays 8 a.m. and promptly one half hour after sunset to permit members to leave ranges. Only on Saturday and Sunday the club grounds and club kitchen are accessible at 7:30 a.m.
  • Shooters who have finished firing should make certain their firearm, airgun, or bow is not loaded or ready to shoot and it is made safe by extracting the projectile and leaving it unloaded before leaving their position at the firing line.
  • No one is permitted to handle an uncased firearm with the action closed until that individual is on the firing line and then only after the range is determined to be clear and safe to shoot.
  • The use of safety warning lights and flags are required to be used to indicate the range has been made safe to go down range or to change targets.
  • Improper behavior, or any improper use of a firearm, bow or airgun, is not permitted. 
  • The muzzle of any firearm or air gun must remain pointed down range and is not permitted to be pointed toward anyone at any time.
  • Firing will be permitted only at approved targets for the range or a special event. Plinking at bottles or cans is not permitted on any range. The use of human silhouette targets, or any pictures or newsprint layouts of persons, is strictly prohibited.
  • In the event of a misfire, the shooter should remain in position and the firearm pointed at the target area. The action of the firearm should not be opened until after a waiting period of at least 30 seconds and the round should be disposed of properly.
  • It is REQUIRED that ear protection devices and eye protection be worn by everyone on the ranges while shooting activity is in progress. (Ear protection not required on Archery or air gun).
  • All members are reminded that they have the right to insist on the proper observance of all safety practices at all times, regardless of the presence or absence of a club range officer. Anyone who believes that an unsafe condition is present at any area of the club grounds should see that all shooting is stopped immediately and that steps are taken to remedy the condition and a club officer is notified.
  • Parking areas are provided for each range. All driveways must be kept clear at all times for emergency use.
  • Containers for proper disposal of trash and recycling are provided throughout the club grounds. It is expected that all club members will keep the club clean and litter free. Each shooter is responsible to clean up all trash, empty shells, etc. and deposit them in the proper containers before leaving the range.
  • Smoking throughout the property should be limited to outdoor areas that are distant from range structures.
  • No pets are permitted within 25 feet of any range. Dogs must be kept leashed while on club property.   Dogs must be restrained from committing a nuisance.
  • The posted speed limit for club grounds shall be obeyed by members and guests. Failure to do so will lead to a suspension of privileges. Be aware of pedestrians in the parking area and walking to and from the ranges.
  • If you do not understand these rules or the operation of your firearm it is your responsibility to ask for help before you begin shooting.
  • Only paper targets, approved metallic silhouettes and approved swinging steel targets are permitted. Shooting at any part of the range structure or range equipment is forbidden. Shooting at cans, bottles or other targets is forbidden. Shooting at exploding of flammable targets is forbidden. Shooting at steel targets with jacketed or plated bullets is not permitted.  Shooting at steel targets must be with cast lead or polymer coated cast lead bullets. Steel targets must be the property of DCF&S, must be positioned a minimum of 10 yards from the firing line and must comply with the club requirements for mounting and protection from splatter.
  • Cross-firing between lanes is not permitted.
  • Backup shooting is not permitted.
  • During a cease-fire: Everyone must remain behind the yellow ready line. No firearms, ammunition or magazines may be handled including firearms in racks or on the shooting benches. Cased firearms must remain cased. All actions must be OPEN with ammunition removed and empty chamber indicator installed.
  • If you enter the range during a cease-fire, you may not handle your firearm or cross the yellow line.
  • Magazines may be loaded with one (1) cartridge or up to five (5) cartridges at a time. Indiscriminate rapid firing is prohibited.
  • Everyone is required to pick up their own brass and trash.
  • Shooting (or attempting to shoot at) any animal including birds, rabbits, rodents, or any other animal that enters a range area or any club grounds is strictly prohibited.
  • Individuals violating club, range, or safety rules must surrender their membership card upon request by a DCF&S Officer and will be dealt with accordingly. Violations may be 1) entered in the Violation Logbook in the club office by any club officer or, 2) submitted in writing by any member to the Chairman of Ranges and Facilities or to a Club Steward for subsequent action. VIOLATIONS MAY RESULT IN A SUSPENSION OF MEMBERSHIP OR EXPULSION. 
  • The consumption of or being under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances are strictly prohibited.
  • Delaware County Field & Stream, its officers, volunteers, or employees are not responsible for any personal items left behind on the Club grounds.
  • If you would like to volunteer to help with projects at a range, please contact a range officer or leave a note at the club office.
  • Lead picking at the target area is not permitted.
  • Before handling any ammunition, opening any cased firearms, or preparing to load a firearm, shooters arriving at a range must first verify that the range is not under a ceasefire condition. For the Black Powder and High-Power ranges that verification must be made for BOTH ranges. Similar coordination is required between the archery flat course and crossbow course.
  • A cease-fire must be called during all target changes. During a cease- fire, firearms and ammunition shall NOT be handled and all cased firearms must remain in cases, all personnel must stand behind the yellow line (exception for Black Powder where all personnel must stand on the range side of the yellow line).
  • Non-members may be permitted to participate in matches IF the match is NOT limited to “members only”. And…
    • The non-member has been invited to participate in the match and is approved by the match director
    • The non-member has paid the match entrance fee, and 
    • The non-member is recorded in the match record.  
    • If a non-member wishes to continue shooting beyond the conclusion of the registered match, they must register in the office as a guest and follow the normal guest policy. 

Note that pursuant to our club mission of supporting fishing and hunting in the state of Pennsylvania, and as an extension the state organizations that manage these activities such as the PA Fish & Boating Commission and the PA Game Commission, DCF&S will, on occasion, offer our facilities to these and other law enforcement organizations for use in regularly required firearms qualification exercises. During such activities, the ranges in use will be closed to general membership and tightly supervised by qualified instructors from the organization and under the eyes of DCF&S Range Officers. Membership will be notified well in advance of the range closures.

Normal range rules will be waived during these operations to meet the qualification requirements of the exercise, to include the use of human silhouette targets, magazine loads exceeding the normal five round limit, carrying and holstering of firearms, shooting from the infield of the range at various distances not normally offered to club membership and shooting after sundown to simulate possible field conditions.