Thread: NZDA - rifle range use

A few of years ago, a mate and I visited the Taupo NZDA range, and for a donation ( which was gladly given) we rocked up, burnt some powder, and ironed out a few issues with the hunting rifle. That was great I thought, so I joined the Tauranga NZDA, just when they were getting ready to build their new range. I never intended to enter shoots etc, I just wanted a place to sight in my rifle. I donated some money on top of my fees, and also joined a couple of working b's to help build the range. When the range was finished, I then found a number of restrictions around when I could go for a blast, and having to attend some course, plus pay a one off fee, and a key fee and I can't remember what else. Bottom line, I said shag this, sent a note to the secretary asking if there was any way I could just use the range very infrequently for sighting in without all the red tape. Unfortunately, that could not be done, so I reluctantly cancelled my registration, along with a letter explaining why.
I am not at all bitter, just disheartened that such a great asset as a new range is hamstrung by so many rules and regulations

Is it now the same at all NZDA ranges?? Has Health and Safety taken over all ranges??

Health and safety seems quite reasonable given the lethal nature of the items used there and the frequently incredibly unsafe behaviour displayed with them by various users

Originally Posted by gimp

Health and safety seems quite reasonable given the lethal nature of the items used there and the frequently incredibly unsafe behaviour displayed with them by various users

Unfortunately I would have to agree with that statement, I wish I didn't but I do based on what I have personally witnessed at Public Ranges.

A fresh viewpoint: the rules are there to attempt to reduce the chance that you will be shot by some fucking idiot with no concept of safe firearm use, who is just there to sight in their hunting rifle

Originally Posted by gimp

A fresh viewpoint: the rules are there to attempt to reduce the chance that you will be shot by some fucking idiot with no concept of safe firearm use, who is just there to sight in their hunting rifle

Hahahaha. It must be really inconvenient having ordinary hunters sighting in their rifles. Most of them do have very good concepts of safe firearm use. It is interesting that you combined the two concepts - fucking idiots, and sighting in hunting rifles. Deliberate or accidental??

Originally Posted by gimp

A fresh viewpoint: the rules are there to attempt to reduce the chance that you will be shot by some fucking idiot with no concept of safe firearm use, who is just there to sight in their hunting rifle

I think gun shops should encourage new owners of hunting rifles to sight in their rifle at rifle ranges for 2 reasons. Or better still - take them
1) it's a chance for them to learn some safety skills and become comfortable with their new weapon and become more responsible.
2) Most gun clubs are always looking for new members so why not use sighting in as a way to introduce them to a club and sign'em up.
My son always listens to other adults more than me ... that's worth a lot.
Just a thought ... keep safe in the hills.

Agreed Gimp, wait till you go to a country that allows concealed carry. In Cape Town I got to a point where I would ask the visitors to grip their ear lobes or something similar and then to TELL me, not to show me what state their pistol or revolver was in. Lost count of the amount of times someone pulled out a gun and shoved it in my direction to show that it was safe...

That and idiots turning around 180 when they got a stoppage...

Originally Posted by ebf

Agreed Gimp, wait till you go to a country that allows concealed carry. In Cape Town I got to a point where I would ask the visitors to grip their ear lobes or something similar and then to TELL me, not to show me what state their pistol or revolver was in. Lost count of the amount of times someone pulled out a gun and shoved it in my direction to show that it was safe...

That and idiots turning around 180 when they got a stoppage...

I think that the addition of a proficiency test / certificate to the FAL application was a step in the right direction to attempt to address the above.

Originally Posted by Ryan

I think that the addition of a proficiency test / certificate to the FAL application was a step in the right direction to attempt to address the above.

They do exactly this in Canada in order to get your Firearms License, it works great!

Originally Posted by Lentil

A few of years ago, a mate and I visited the Taupo NZDA range, and for a donation ( which was gladly given) we rocked up, burnt some powder, and ironed out a few issues with the hunting rifle. That was great I thought, so I joined the Tauranga NZDA, just when they were getting ready to build their new range. I never intended to enter shoots etc, I just wanted a place to sight in my rifle. I donated some money on top of my fees, and also joined a couple of working b's to help build the range. When the range was finished, I then found a number of restrictions around when I could go for a blast, and having to attend some course, plus pay a one off fee, and a key fee and I can't remember what else. Bottom line, I said shag this, sent a note to the secretary asking if there was any way I could just use the range very infrequently for sighting in without all the red tape. Unfortunately, that could not be done, so I reluctantly cancelled my registration, along with a letter explaining why.
I am not at all bitter, just disheartened that such a great asset as a new range is hamstrung by so many rules and regulations

Is it now the same at all NZDA ranges?? Has Health and Safety taken over all ranges??

Actually I think you are being a little precious Lentil. Its not that hard to get your own key and go up whenever you want. All you need to do is (assuming you are a member of the club):

1) Attend 3 public days to do 3 inductions on the range standing orders (these were done very frequently when the range was first opened so existing members could get through them quickly)
2) Pay your annual range fee ($50 I think)
3) Pay a one off $20 range key fee

Then bingo! You have access to the range as long as the park is open which is from sun up to sun down. Its not that hard.

The rules are there to protect the club, its users and the public. The land the range is on is leased from council and the NZDA have to abide by their rules (albeit some are a little over the top). If you look at the costs to be a member of other public ranges with the same level of facilities (which are constantly being improved) its not very expensive, especially when you compare them to the overseas ranges that i have been to.

Originally Posted by Bryan

Actually I think you are being a little precious Lentil. Its not that hard to get your own key and go up whenever you want. All you need to do is (assuming you are a member of the club):

1) Attend 3 public days to do 3 inductions on the range standing orders (these were done very frequently when the range was first opened so existing members could get through them quickly)
2) Pay your annual range fee ($50 I think)
3) Pay a one off $20 range key fee

Then bingo! You have access to the range as long as the park is open which is from sun up to sun down. Its not that hard.

The rules are there to protect the club, its users and the public. The land the range is on is leased from council and the NZDA have to abide by their rules (albeit some are a little over the top). If you look at the costs to be a member of other public ranges with the same level of facilities (which are constantly being improved) its not very expensive, especially when you compare them to the overseas ranges that i have been to.

I really wanted to know if that is the case at most ranges. I can understand the defensive replies - after all, you probably put in a lot of time and effort into the Tauranga range. Good on you if that suits you, and your amount of use justifies the fees charged. For me with a 3 - 4 times a year use, the costs involved would not be worth it, and I chose to not bother. I don't think that makes me precious.

Originally Posted by Lentil

I really wanted to know if that is the case at most ranges. I can understand the defensive replies - after all, you probably put in a lot of time and effort into the Tauranga range. Good on you if that suits you, and your amount of use justifies the fees charged. For me with a 3 - 4 times a year use, the costs involved would not be worth it, and I chose to not bother. I don't think that makes me precious.

I can just about understand that, if I hardly ever changed ammo and only sighted in a couple of times a year, id just put up some cardboard on a farm and keep the fifty bucks too. or I suppose go on the public days once a month.
its not until you hand load and need to do lots of testing you can justify the cost.

Originally Posted by Lentil

I really wanted to know if that is the case at most ranges. I can understand the defensive replies - after all, you probably put in a lot of time and effort into the Tauranga range. Good on you if that suits you, and your amount of use justifies the fees charged. For me with a 3 - 4 times a year use, the costs involved would not be worth it, and I chose to not bother. I don't think that makes me precious.

I'm with youId love to shoot the range, but I'm not into the red tape and rules,seems like more of a commercial operation. The range I shoot is extremely safe and well run and we know every one personally, only prob, it's short one end.
I haven't been to Tect Park,but will get there for a look next year.

Tokoroa (TSSC) is less bound by 20-teensy best practice but you will pay almost as much by the time you get an associate membership and a key. If you want a change of company to another bunch of good sorts, make enquiries and go to a South Waikato NZDA range day. Only 200m but an excellent range. Another alternative is the Rotorua NZDA range open days each month and it has 300m too. I don't know if members can go there at random.
Some of the TECT required procedures are a bit cumbersome ... but not impossible. If I lived in Tauranga I'd grin and bear it and make use of a great facility, specially if you had a hand in building.

I would encourage it to be a requirement of the NZ FAL application process too.

I have two friends who've just been awarded their FAL and both are quite inexperienced with firearms. Of course I was only too happy to demonstrate safe handling procedures and let them try the various steps for themselves in a controlled environment, so that they felt more confident about handling firearms.

I feel that other new licencees who may not have friends or relatives that can show them the ropes, could do with more practical experience before being awarded their FAL.