Range Rules

This range is for the use of Hutt Valley Deerstalkers Association (HVDA) members only. It is not a public range. Users must be HVDA members or be authorized by the HVDA to use this range. Members should carry their HVDA membership cards while using this range.

All shooting at the range must be under the supervision of a Range Officer. Where casual shooting is taking place, one of the shooters present must volunteer to be Range Officer or the shooters decide an appropriate Range Officer from amongst their group. There must be no confusion as to the identity of the Range Officer, and only one person can be Range Officer at any time. When that Range Officer leaves, another person must take over as Range Officer. If no-one is prepared to be Range Officer then shooting cannot occur. No person is to be downrange unless authorised by the Range Officer. The orders of the Range Officer must be obeyed without question. No firing is take place until the Range Officer is absolutely satisfied that it is safe to do so.

Before commencing shooting, even if there are no cars in the car park and the range is apparently not in use, check all areas down range, especially between the 100 and 200m backstops, by walking down the range and verifying that no-one is obscured downrange or is in the bush to one side.

Firearms must be handled with the utmost care and be stored or carried with actions open at all times. Firearms must be loaded only at the firing point and the shooter must ensure that the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction at all times.

On the command “Cease Fire” from the Range Officer, all firing must cease immediately. In all cases where a condition arises in which a “Cease Fire” is ordered, the order “Actions Open” must follow. All shooters must extract cartridges from the breech and leave open all bolts and actions. In no circumstances must a shooter keep his action closed and merely apply his safety catch.

Shooters must ensure that no cartridges are left in the firearm on completion of firing.

All firearms used on the range must be in good mechanical condition and adjusted so that they will function safely.

In the event of an accident - misfire or malfunction – call the Range Officer immediately.

Any shooter who is aware of any behaviour, firearm or cartridge condition likely to cause danger must bring such behaviour, firearm or cartridge condition to the Range Officer’s attention. Unsafe ammunition may not be fired on the range.

No shooter may fire on the range while under the influence of liquor or drugs.

All firearms in racks, in transport or in transit to and from the firing point must be in the open position for that type of action. Only on the firing point when firing is about to be commenced may the action be closed.

It is forbidden to handle another shooter’s firearms and ammunition and other equipment without his permission except when a Range Officer or other responsible official considers that they have been left in a dangerous position or manner.

HVNZDA Range Safety Rules

• Wear eye and hearing protection.
• Only one firearm to be on a bench at any time and only ammunition specifically for that firearm on the bench at the same time.
• For casual shooting (not a formal club shoot), no shooting must take place forward of the red line on the bench.
• If using the mound, then shooting should take place behind where the red line would be if it continued onto the mound.
• Please show common sense and an appreciation of basic range safety.
• Make sure you pick up your empty brass.
• Can members please ensure that the car park gate is left locked at all times. The gate being left open during club shoots is causing WRC (GW) some concern. It’s a tricky one to sort out, particularly for the non-NZDA clubs, but we need to ensure that the gate is controlled properly and minimize the callouts to GW by stranded idiots.

Clay bird shooting:

We need to reduce the risk of lead contaminating the range stream. It is therefore very important to make sure that you do not shoot towards the creek if using a clay bird trap. Also, please clean up your broken birds etc when finished. If members fail to heed this request and we can’t get reduce this risk, then lead shot will be banned from the range except for competition use.