General
The recreational property and shooting ranges are open 7 days a week all year.
In 1974, a quarter section of land south of Hastings Lake was purchased and the Association now owns 720 acres of which 160 acres are used as recreational property for members and their families. Volunteer time and hard work by several dedicated members helped develop the following: rifle range, rimfire/handgun/black powder range, 22 rimfire silhouette range, shotgun range, blackpowder trail, archery trail, fish pond, clubhouse, campground, and ski/hiking trails.
A large number of wildlife species reside on our property. The University of Alberta's Faculty of Biology, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology's Forestry Department, and Biological Sciences Department have used our property to study a number of species and eco-systems.
Campground
The club maintains several unserviced campsites for member use. These sites are located on a separate trail loop. Most sites are large enough to park pull trailers / 5th Wheel units, and have fire pit rings for outdoor fires. Two outdoor toilets are located on the loop to accommodate tent campers.
The unserviced campground is available for members use at no charge and sites are obtained on a first come basis. Plans are underway to expand some campsites.
Fish Pond
The fish on the property is stocked each year. All fish caught are to be released until September when they may be kept. Intended for the children, this is a great place where parents, grandparents or group leaders can instruct children on the skills of fishing.
An electric aerator has been installed and successfully supports the stocked fish over the winter.
There is NO FISHING ON THE ICE, as the aerator makes the ice dangerously thin.
Please supervise the children when near the pond, as the banks are steeply angled.
ALL USERS must adhere to the RANGE RULES of the Association and to Provincial & Federal Laws.
All individuals on the firing line must wear their membership card in a visible location.
Shooting ranges are open all year and roads are cleared in the winter. Shooting is restricted to times posted on the website, in newsletters and at the main gate.
Shooting by guests is strictly prohibited.
ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARE ALLOWED TO USE HUMAN SILHOUETTE TARGETS.
Only law enforcement officers engaged in formal training and who have made prior arrangements with the SPFGA Executive may use human silhouette targets. Caliber prohibitions include 408 CheyTac and 50 BMG.
Big Bore Range
Permitted use includes centerfire rifles, rimfire rifles, black powder long guns and shotgun slug guns. The covered shed has both concrete and wooden shooting benches. Target boards are placed at 25/100/200/300 meters. Steel gongs are placed at 100/200/300 meters.
Rimfire/Black Powder Range
Permitted use includes black powder (round ball only), air rifles, and rimfire rifles and pistols. The covered shed is 60' long and has concrete shooting benches. Target boards are placed at 15/25/50/100 meters. Email: blackpowder@spfga.org or rifle@spfga.org
Overflow Range
Permitted use is identical to Big Bore range. The covered shed has both concrete and wooden benches. Target boards and steel gongs are placed at 100/150/200 meters.
Handgun Range
This range is for handguns only. The covered shed is 40' long and has wooden shooting benches. Target boards are placed at 7/15/25 meters. Email: handgun@spfga.org
Shotgun Trap Range
Our range consists of a manual thrower where shooters can come and throw their own targets. The electronic thrower is open on Wednesdays from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and on Sundays from 12:00 Noon to 3:00 PM. Contact Les Berry for details. There is a minimum charge for 25 thrown targets.
Email: shotgun@spfga.org
The range has a metal patterning board for members to use for shot patterning and this is only for shot shells NOT FOR SHOT GUN SLUGS. The recommended shot size for trap is 7 1/2, 8 and 9 oz.
Black Powder Program
The black powder program is confined to handguns or long guns, using flint lock or cap lock ignition and black powder or equivalent energy source. Cartridge firearms are included provided they use only black powder or equivalent and lead bullets only.
The black powder trail is designed for casual use and organized shoots. Time limits are the same as shooting hours at all other ranges. All members with range memberships are welcome to participate in organized shoots. A walking trail is available for traditional round ball shooters. The trail is "groomed" and features shooting positions at intermittent intervals with metal targets. Modern in-line firearms or sabot bullets are not allowed on the Trail or at events.
In late May each year, the Edmonton House Brigade (EHB) and SPFGA co-host a shoot. This is a fun shoot complete with dinners, novelty events of flint and steel fire starting, primitive archery, tomahawk and knife throwing and black powder pistol. The shoot has a Western Canada Fur Trade theme in keeping with other Alberta Black Powder Association shoots throughout Alberta. EHB also delivers historic re-enactments at Fort Edmonton and other historic centers.
Email: blackpowder@spfga.org
Archery Range
The archery range is located south of the big bore range. Three butts are set up permanently at 20, 30 and 40 yards. There is a field course layout with 15 shooting lanes of varying distances off the main trail and there are some 3D targets. Plans are underway to further improve the archery range
Email: archery@spfga.org
Organized Shooting Events
There are a number of firearms competition shoots held annually that are advertised in club newsletters and in the Events Calendar. These are fun shoots and everyone competes against themselves. Such events include:
- Handgun events - Email: handgun@spfga.org
- Rifle events sponsored by local gun shops with distances from 100 to 300 meters. Classes include Varmint Rifle, Hunting Rifle, and Bench Rest Rifle. Email: rifle@spfga.org
- Black Powder competitions include a trail walk and various shaped metal targets at a variety of distances to simulate the pioneer art of a natural hunt with gun, knife and tomahawk. Email: blackpowder@spfga.org
- Shotgun Trap shooting from spring to fall on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings. Email: shotgun@spfga.org
Organized Shooting Events
There are a number of firearms competition shoots held annually that are advertised in club newsletters and in the Events Calendar. These are fun shoots and everyone competes against themselves. There are a couple of nominal prizes for top scores.
Such events include:
Handgun Metallic Silhouette Shooting for .22 and large bore handguns. Knock-down targets from 25 to 200 meter distances. For further information, please contact the Handgun Chair.
Rifle events sponsored by local gun shops with distances from 100 to 300 meters. Classes include Varmint Rifle, Hunting Rifle, and Bench Rest Rifle. For further information, please contact the Rifle Chair.
The Black Powder Trail is designed for both casual use as well as organized shoots. The Edmonton House Brigade and the Sherwood Park Fish & Game Association co-host a shoot in late May of each year. For further information, please contact the Black Powder Chair.
Shotgun Trap shooting from spring to fall on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings. For further information, please contact the Shotgun Chair.
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