GTA
Fun Shoot By State Discussion Gate => Discussions By States => Illinois Fun Shooting Events => Topic started by: Taso1000 on April 20, 2016, 03:27:59 AM
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Hi All,
I'm not sure where to post this question but here goes. Illinoisians, where do you shoot your air rifles in public? And I do mean at an organized range. I'd like to shoot at ranges of 50 to 100 yards.
Do you shoot at powder burner ranges or are there any air rifle specific ranges? I live in Orland Park, 60462 zip code so I would rather not have to drive very far to shoot, ideally.
I can pretty much shoot 17 yards in my back yard but I don't want to draw attention from my neighbors. I also have 13 yards to shoot at in my basement.
Thank you,
Taso
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Since I live in southern Illinois, I can't directly help you, but you might have some luck posting this in the Fun Shoots by State gate at the end of the forum. It helped meh when I moves here.
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I can shoot up to almost 15 yards indoors. I can shoot up to about 40 yards outdoors in my yard. If I want to go past that, I have to go to the closest PB range, which is about an hour drive for me. There I can shoot 50-100 yards. Honestly, I have plenty of fun at home, I usually save the range for guns that go bang.
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Hi All,
I'm not sure where to post this question but here goes. Illinoisians, where do you shoot your air rifles in public? And I do mean at an organized range. I'd like to shoot at ranges of 50 to 100 yards.
Do you shoot at powder burner ranges or are there any air rifle specific ranges? I live in Orland Park, 60462 zip code so I would rather not have to drive very far to shoot, ideally.
I can pretty much shoot 17 yards in my back yard but I don't want to draw attention from my neighbors. I also have 13 yards to shoot at in my basement.
Thank you,
Taso
I live in Schaumburg and have wondered the same thing.
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Thank you all for your responses. :D
When Fox Valley Rifle Range was open I used to go at least once a month with my 77/22 at 50 and 100 yards and my 24" barreled AR-15 and shoot at the 200 yard range. It was a challenge and it was fun. I was just starting long range rifle shooting and I had couple cheap high magnification Tasco scopes and using whatever Winchester or Remington ammo that was on sale.
Then they closed and I haven't shot long distance since then and I miss it.
If it wasn't for air guns I wouldn't have anything to scratch the shooting itch with. The basement and back yard have helped but it's nothing like being at a range.
Do you think a forest preserve will give permission to set up and shoot air rifles?
What does a 250 yard by 25 foot piece of land cost lol?
Taso
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Hi Taso,
I'm in the same boat as you except I don't even have a backyard to shoot in. Indoor only here (townhouse). Are you referring to the Fox Valley range that was on Rt. 25? We used to go there all the time in the 80's. I'm up in Algonquin now.
Highly doubtful about forest preserve shooting. I've asked to DNA if I can target shoot on public hunting land in the off-seasons and they even said no to that.
There is an Illinois fun shoot coming up on Memorial Day weekend. It's in southern IL at a GTA's members farmland (about 5 hrs. from me) but you can camp or stay at a local motel. There is a thread in the GTA Illinois section at the bottom of the page about it. I hope you don't mind, but I'll move this thread to that section, it might get more views there from IL people.
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Jerry,
Thank you for moving my post. I wasn't sure where it should go.
Yes, the range was off Rt. 25 in Dundee. It had to have been around 1996 - 98 when I started going with a friend.
I went away to school and on my return found out it had been closed.
Taso
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Yeah, it's a shame it closed. All the new businesses that have moved in after it closed are now closing themselves. It would be great to see another range open there but I doubt it would happen these days.
Last weekend I went to a GTA member's house (Douger) near Aurora to do some shooting. Had a nice time and got to shoot his BSA cricket. If he ever has a group over there to shoot I'll let you know. I've been trying to get up the nerve to ask some local farmers if they need any free pest removal just to be able to shoot outdoors. Indoor shooting at paper gets old.
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Ranges are few and far between, in this state and more so the closer you are to Chicago. I know the Illinois State Rifle Association has a nice range down near Kankakee, checked there Web site but all I could find was that the rules and regulations will be sent after you join, over 300 the first year, and membership in ISRA is required. If you are going to shot a lot it looks like good deal when cpm paired to range fees. A couple of the indoor ranges north of you have rifle ranges, again I don't know if they allow AG.I've been told the Deb's gun range in Hammond allows AG but I don't know if they have a long enough range or are pistol onky.
You may want to try wheretoshoot dot org slash Find_Range and spend a little time calling around, I am probably going to do the same but about an hour north of you.
Good luck
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Thank you everyone for your help. I need to make some phone calls and maybe put an add to get a property owner to give me permission to shoot on his land.
Taso
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Thank you everyone for your help. I need to make some phone calls and maybe put an add to get a property owner to give me permission to shoot on his land.
Taso
I would shoot with you !!! 😊
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Thank you everyone for your help. I need to make some phone calls and maybe put an add to get a property owner to give me permission to shoot on his land.
Taso
I would shoot with you !!! 😊
If I ever do get a permission, I will probably need help and I'll let you know if I do. My guns are, shall we say..."lacking". It would be more fun pesting with a partner too.
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Sounds awesome !! 😊
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Jerry,
Don't worry. We can help you get some "sufficient" air rifles. ;D Show us your nail and we'll find the perfect hammer lol
Taso
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Jerry,
Don't worry. We can help you get some "sufficient" air rifles. ;D Show us your nail and we'll find the perfect hammer lol
Taso
;D
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Jerry,
Don't worry. We can help you get some "sufficient" air rifles. ;D Show us your nail and we'll find the perfect hammer lol
Taso
+1 😆
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Hey guys, getting close to the shoot!
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Darn right! I just received 8000 pellets and had my tanks filled. And if I still run out of air I have my benji pumper for backup. ;D ;D ;D
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Probably a little far for the OP, but I figured i woukd share with the larger group. I was at On Target Range in Crystal Lake the other day, and I ask about AG and was told that they allow them. The rate is typical for an indoor range around here, and you need to be 21+ and have an FOID to shoot there.
I just may take air pistol or 2 next time I'm putting in some PB practice time.
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Probably a little far for the OP, but I figured i woukd share with the larger group. I was at On Target Range in Crystal Lake the other day, and I ask about AG and was told that they allow them. The rate is typical for an indoor range around here, and you need to be 21+ and have an FOID to shoot there.
I just may take air pistol or 2 next time I'm putting in some PB practice time.
My wife was in a woman's shooting league held there. I've been in there and called them and was told couple times that AG's weren't allowed. Hmmm...
It's been a while since I asked them, hopefully the rule changed. Thanks for the heads up.
P.S. The OP lives WAY south. 5 hours from me or you. He's having a fun shoot Memorial Day weekend in case you missed the other thread.
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Hi All,
I wish my outings could be longer but I have a father that is recovering from a stroke. He was affected in the logic and decision areas. I don't feel safe leaving him alone for more than a run to the grocery store. Hopefully my father will get better or more daddy sitting volunteers will make themselves available lol.
So I need to shoot somewhere close to home.
Thanks,
Taso
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Hi All,
I wish my outings could be longer but I have a father that is recovering from a stroke. He was affected in the logic and decision areas. I don't feel safe leaving him alone for more than a run to the grocery store. Hopefully my father will get better or more daddy sitting volunteers will make themselves available lol.
So I need to shoot somewhere close to home.
Thanks,
Taso
Man, sorry to hear that. I hope he recovers well, prayers sent.
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Probably a little far for the OP, but I figured i woukd share with the larger group. I was at On Target Range in Crystal Lake the other day, and I ask about AG and was told that they allow them. The rate is typical for an indoor range around here, and you need to be 21+ and have an FOID to shoot there.
I just may take air pistol or 2 next time I'm putting in some PB practice time.
My wife was in a woman's shooting league held there. I've been in there and called them and was told couple times that AG's weren't allowed. Hmmm...
It's been a while since I asked them, hopefully the rule changed. Thanks for the heads up.
P.S. The OP lives WAY south. 5 hours from me or you. He's having a fun shoot Memorial Day weekend in case you missed the other thread.
I think you may be confusing the OP and someone else, used to live in Lansing and work in North Chicago, commuted every day, backside know just about every bump over most the length of the Tri-state, and the only time it took me anything close to 5 hours was during a snw storm through construction zones, sadly more than once.
As far as On Target goes, maybe either one of us were missed informed, or a change in policy. Only way we will find out is to ask again. I will not be heading that way for a few weeks, next couple weekends I'll be able to take advantage of a range in southern Indiana. Air and PB on the agenda. Maybe seeing if myself and my brother-in-law can get in trouble with our fellow Ikes for shooting on the range. The latest range rules pretty well eliminate anything fun like Care Bears, Barney, Happy Meal toys, plates (Cornell are the best), Beanie Babies...they basicly only allow paper targets. While I don't mind putting holes in paper, I do enjoy a little fun on the range as well. They don't even like clay pigeons at 50 yards, te pigeons are only to be used on the trap, skeet and sporting clays ranges.
Will have to but our minds together soon, to come up with something, at least just to ask if it is allowed. Got to keep them on their toes.
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Hi All,
I wish my outings could be longer but I have a father that is recovering from a stroke. He was affected in the logic and decision areas. I don't feel safe leaving him alone for more than a run to the grocery store. Hopefully my father will get better or more daddy sitting volunteers will make themselves available lol.
So I need to shoot somewhere close to home.
Thanks,
Taso
I hope your father recovers quickly and fully.
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Thank you all for the well wishes! :) I see changes for the better every day in him.
He does have some combativeness and defiance that takes all my patience. I know it's not him but it's his disease. If I go out in the back yard or down to the basement to shoot he always tries to make me stop.
I recently shot a 378 shot string with a B51 I'm tuning. I had to do it after he went to bed and with an ldc. The back yard and basement are getting old. I want to stretch my legs outside. :-)
Taso
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I think you may be confusing the OP and someone else, used to live in Lansing and work in North Chicago, commuted every day, backside know just about every bump over most the length of the Tri-state, and the only time it took me anything close to 5 hours was during a snw storm through construction zones, sadly more than once.
As far as On Target goes, maybe either one of us were missed informed, or a change in policy. Only way we will find out is to ask again. I will not be heading that way for a few weeks, next couple weekends I'll be able to take advantage of a range in southern Indiana. Air and PB on the agenda. Maybe seeing if myself and my brother-in-law can get in trouble with our fellow Ikes for shooting on the range. The latest range rules pretty well eliminate anything fun like Care Bears, Barney, Happy Meal toys, plates (Cornell are the best), Beanie Babies...they basicly only allow paper targets. While I don't mind putting holes in paper, I do enjoy a little fun on the range as well. They don't even like clay pigeons at 50 yards, te pigeons are only to be used on the trap, skeet and sporting clays ranges.
Will have to but our minds together soon, to come up with something, at least just to ask if it is allowed. Got to keep them on their toes.
I think your right about the bold.
And I'll definitely ask again about airguns there.
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Nick,
Buffalo Rock Range in Ottawa used to have a pit where you could shoot at different things. We used to take shaving foam and soda cans, etc. We could rapid fire my FAL in the pit till the barrel was smoking! That was fun. ;D
I shot their 100 yard range with my AR-15 and 22lr rifles. I didn't have any serious air rifles back then. I didn't like having to wait for 30 people stop so you could change targets.
Taso