All about East Elgin Sportsman Association

Facility and Clubhouse:

The EESA spans 48 acres and features a two-story clubhouse at the center of its property. This clubhouse serves as the hub for all club activities and includes:

• A full kitchen.
• Large multi-function areas for meetings, social events, and other gatherings.
• A dedicated classroom.
• Washrooms on both floors.
• An administrative office and utility rooms.
• Stairs and a wheelchair lift for accessibility to the upper level.
• The upper level also houses a large, open, multi-use space typically used for indoor archery, air rifle, and air pistol activities, along with additional washrooms and equipment storage.

Ranges:

EESA boasts a comprehensive array of ranges designed to accommodate diverse shooting and archery interests. These include:

• Indoor Range: This modern facility features 10 individual shooting stations with automated target returns. It is approved for handguns (straight-walled pistol calibers only), center-fire rifles (handgun cartridges only), and rimfire rifles (excluding .22 Magnum and .17 Cal.). No shotguns are permitted on this range. It also features a new preheated air exchange system for improved ventilation and a heated lounge with a viewing window.
• 300M Range: Located in the north corner of the property, this is the longest rifle range at EESA. It has 12 shooting stations with target stands/berms at 100, 200, and 300 meters, and two steel plates at 300 meters. The shooting area is covered and includes cement shooting tables. This range is approved for center-fire rifle, rimfire rifle, black powder, and shotguns (slugs only). Handgun use is pre-approved by the board of directors.
• 50M Range: Situated between the 45M and 100M ranges, this range offers 12 shooting stations with target stands at 50 meters and a covered shooting area with divided wooden shooting tables. It's approved for handgun, center-fire rifle, rimfire rifle, and black powder rifle. Shotguns are generally not permitted unless for an EESA/CFO approved event.
• 100M Range: Located in the southeast corner of the property, this range has 12 shooting stations with target stands/berms at 50 and 100 meters. It features a covered shooting area with wooden shooting tables. It's approved for center-fire rifle, rimfire rifle, and black powder. Shotguns are not permitted unless for an EESA/CFO approved event.
• 25/45M Range: Located just north of the 50M range, this mixed-use range is ideal for activities like IPSC and 3-Gun competitions, featuring a berm at 45 meters. It's approved for center-fire rifle, rimfire rifle, handgun, shotgun (for patterning screens and clay wires only), and black powder.
• Trap Range: Situated behind the indoor range, this facility features five shooting stations with an automated clay thrower and a covered rest area. It is for shotgun use only, with ammunition restricted to birdshot (no overloads, buckshot, or slugs), and a maximum of 12 gauge, 3 1/4 dram, and #7 1/2 shot.
• Indoor Air Pistol/Rifle and Archery Range: Located on the second floor of the clubhouse, this mixed-use area accommodates up to 10 stations. For archery, longbows, recurved bows, compound bows, and crossbows are permitted with target tips only (no broadheads or practice blades), and approved/supplied targets must be used. For air rifle/air pistol, all airgun types (600 FPS or less) are allowed with pellet ammunition only (no BBs).
• North Outdoor Archery Range: This range is located on the north side of the property and features a walking trail with targets set up along it. It is approved for all archery applications using target tips only, with no broadheads or practice blades allowed.
• South Outdoor Archery Range: Another outdoor archery range is available for members.

Services and Membership:

The East Elgin Sportsman Association operates as a members-only club, offering 24/7 access to members with a valid membership ID/access card. They offer various membership types, including single, dual, and family memberships, with fees pro-rated for new members based on the remaining months in the year.

Beyond regular access to its extensive ranges, EESA provides:

• Public Range Days: Periodically, the club hosts "Range Days" open to the public, where individuals without licenses or prior experience can try target shooting in a safe and welcoming environment. Qualified Range Officers provide one-on-one supervision and instruction, and all firearms, ammunition, and protective equipment are supplied. These events offer the opportunity to try various handgun calibers.
• Competitions and Events: The club is active and encourages participation through numerous events throughout the year, including IPSC, IDPA, rifle, and archery competitions, as well as various leagues and practice nights (e.g., bi-weekly IPSC practice nights).
• Training and Education: EESA emphasizes safety and provides a controlled environment for target shooting. They offer gun safety courses taught by certified range officers and provide new member orientations.
• Support for Law Enforcement: The club also rents its range space to police forces, including the OPP, RCMP, and London Police Service, for training purposes.
• Community Engagement: EESA serves as a place where members can enjoy and share the hobby of target shooting. They actively work to promote responsible firearm ownership and advocate against the villainization of legal firearm owners.