Frustrated with few options.......

[restlessnomad]

I'm from Wisconsin and have lived here most of my life. I have been around shotguns and rifles for most of it, but up until recently I have spent little time with handguns. About 3 months ago I purchased a Glock 19 with the sole intention of training with it for self-defense. I was aware of the carry laws in this state before I purchased it (absolutely no concealed carry allowed....period) but saw it only as a temporary set back, (either the law will change, or I will move). Of course you can always open carry, but then you are lining yourself up for unwanted attention and possible disturbing the peace violations.

After I purchased my handgun I soon found that there is a complete lack of ranges and places to shoot in this state (I live in Stevens Point, Central Wisconsin). There are a number of county parks with state owned shooting ranges, which are nice but only open a few months out of the year. There are some other indoor ranges that are around, but most of them are outrageously priced (I called a place last week to find out their fees; the guy said it was 18 dollars to fire 50 rounds!!!!!). The closet range to me is about a 45 minute drive each way, and will be closed in November only to re-open next summer.

Now, all of these places have their own rules and regulations of conduct and everyone of them prohibits firing from a holster, firing while on the move or from the hip and firing more then 4 rounds in quick succession gets the range master all bothered. About the only thing I can do besides firing in a normal position, is fire one-handed. Even when I practiced this, the range master/officer, or whatever took it upon himself to tell me to use two hands, I replied "What if a situation arose where I could only use one hand?" He stated plainly, "This isn't one of those times."

Needless to say I have become frustrated with my lack of options. I am a college student and most of my free cash is allocated for ammo. Paying hundreds for a SD class in some other state, plus plane tickets and whatever else is simply not an option at this time.

Any suggestions, or input from someone from Wisconsin or that has come across the same problem would be greatly appreciated. Thanks ladies and Gents.

[javery1]

Start your own gun range???

I'm not from Wisconsin but I just realized how good I've got it. I'm from Upstate NY. The gun range is 6 miles away / indoor pistol range / outdoor rifle range (200yds) / 2 voice activated trap houses / it's $25 a year with a $2 range fee / I have my own personal key to the indoor range meaning I can shoot 24/7.

I can't imagine not having a range to go to. $18 for 50 rounds is rediculous. Buy some land and build a range!

[WhiteFeather93]

Well for starters I would check out this site.

http://opencarry.com/

And click on your state. You can find a ton of information relavent to your state. Also there is a forum just for your state were you can talk to other people from your state and find out how they do things. According you WI state law Open Carry in a vehicle is prohibited. SO if I were you I would take a very long hard look at the law. See where it is lacking and than hap at it with your state rep. If you can find enough people in your area/ state you can change the law. But it takes work and determination. Good luck check back!

[Rogueone]

you might need to invest in a high quality airsoft gun, which mimicks the weight at least, of your gun. I have a couple cheaper ones, but they do a decent job. The more powerful the shot the better, as the ones I got my kids that shot like <200 fps, the BB's actually act like a curve ball, noticeably, at only 6 to 10 feet. My CO2 powered model is pretty much dead on at those ranges, not so sure at 20 feet though.

At the very least, you can get in tons of draw and sight acquisition training in your dwelling or backyard

I might have found a place for you as well. I recently joined a local Izaak Walton League of America chapter near me with a 25yd indoor range I can use 24/7, and that is the best. I just found this info from their website :
Bill Cook Chapter Stevens Point, WI

Bill Cook Chapter
Wisconsin Division
Contact:
Luke A Carpenter
Address:
2308 Prais St.
Stevens Point, WI 54481-3158
Phone:
(715)342-4602
Email:

Website:

Meetings:
Every 1st Wednesday of Month

Facilities
Fishing
Hiking
Shooting Sports
Water Sports


it mentions shooting sports, so hopefully that includes pistol ranges. It doesn't look like that chapter has a website, so you may be limited to calling the Luke fella. hope this helps.

[chris in va]

The Isaac Walton center near me is pretty expensive and you have to be 'approved' by another member to get in. Pretty exclusive club.

[120mm]

Living in Germany, I have similar "options" for shooting. Sunday, I get to go to a range and hour and a half away for the honor of shooting 50 rounds for $30.

So, because I am unwilling to allow my skill(s) to perish, I've purchased a Baikal 53M air pistol, and an el cheapo airsoft M4. When I get home from work, and right before dinner, I send 10-20 aimed shots "downrange" in my basement. My wife and kids appreciate that I'm usually in a much better mood once this is accomplished. I just use a paper-box with some packing paper inside it to keep from dinging the walls.

[JoeBlackSpade]

If ALL ELSE FAILS, and you can't get your range situation resolved, find a laser system for your pistol. Most are compatible with a Glock.

Use the laser as a training device. While it cannot simulate recoil or failure to feed/failure to fire scenarios, it can give you incredible reflexes in acquiring sight picture and sight alignment. If you are training with it, it will reduce the amount of time required from holster-to-target.

Simply draw as you normally would at the range, and acquire sight picture and alignment smoothly and quickly. As you are doing so, "pop" your laser on, to see where your aim is falling (the laser doesn't STAY ON all the time but can be popped on and off at will). Your laser will give you a visual cue on the actual target, and over time you will build incredible muscle memory. Dry fire your weapon 15 times (simulating a full magazine) paying attention to your front sight post. You can also use the laser to tell you how your breath control and trigger control is, by seeing how much the laser-dot moves as you squeeze off each round. If you have bad trigger control, for example, your laser-dot will jump high and to the right, as you jerk the trigger. If you are not practicing good breathing, your dot will likely move up and down. Etc.



Practice reloads, and immediate action. None of these requires live ammunition.


You should still get some range time, but you won't have to go as often.

[CNate]

I feel your pain. I live in Madison myself..yea the town where it's legal to buy a handgun, the city simply made it illegal to sell them.

If you feel like drivng about an hour and a half to the south, theres a fantastic range that I use in Deerfield.

Website is here: http://www.deerfieldpistol.com/pages/index.html

I don't get to play with any voice activated trap house, but the range is clean, fun, and safe. The people are all either retired or current LEO, and actually know what they are talking about. Shoot me a PM if your planing a trip, I'd be glad to meet up with you there. Always room at the table for another shooting buddy.

[OBIWAN]

The airsoft option is a good one

I have a Glock19 airsoft pistol and other than the recoil it is hard to tell it from the real thing

Then try to find a informal range somewhere

[mattro]

Do yo have any family or friends of family with farmland or horse ranches. Alot of those properties usually have alot of undeveloped wooded acreage around them with hills to use as a backdrop. Firing only a handgun doesn't require much acreage for the sound report to not bother anyone.

Here in Indiana, I have several friends, or friends of family that give me permission to shoot whenever I want on their property.

If I was in a no ccw state, I would oc everyday. If people don't like it, then they need to change the laws to allow cc.

I assume you have checked:
nra
conservation clubs
4h
Local University gun ranges

[restlessnomad]

Thanks so much for the info and suggestions, I've got a few more tools now. I was looking at the KSC G19 (airsoft) its a bit expensive, but is the extra worth it compared to similar products? What kind of airsofts do you guys like??

CNate, have you taken any instruction from the place, either classroom or range? I would really be up for shooting w/ someone for a change, I'll send you a PM soon. Thanks


Mattro, though OC is technically legal, and seems like the logical choice if CC is not permitted. Should you decide to OC however, you will most likely end up getting charged with disturbing the peace, and/or another couple of nasty charges I've read about people being charged with. It has happened to a number of responsible owners I know, and the more I read around on the internet, the more I find this to be true. There are so many problems with gun laws in Wisconsin. Just a taste of these laws include absolutely no firearms (which aren't cased) in an automobile and technically this includes bikes, wheelchairs, atv's, etc. This means any hunter who uses a wheelchair while armed must case that firearm before moving only a couple of feet. Though I don't think any Police officer would apply this to someone, it just goes to show the ridiculously nature of our current laws. Plus, no firearms are allowed within 1,000 feet of any school grounds. Think about how many schools there are in Madison, Milwaukee, or any city for that matter, and you have effectively and severely limited a citizen's from carrying firearms for any purpose, not to mention the bogus charges applied to those who choose to legally open carry. I'm waiting for some kind of a lawsuit, but who knows if we'll get our act together. Needless to say, I dislike this states current administration.

[mattro]

you will most likely end up getting charged with disturbing the peace, and/or another couple of nasty charges I've read about people being charged with.

just curious, how could doing what is legal land you with disturbing the peace? I dont get it.

[wayneinFL]

Drawing from a holster can be practiced at home, dry-firing.

As for shooting, how about IPSC or IDPA matches?

http://www.idpa.com/clublist.asp?state=WI

http://www.uspsa-area5.org/home/modu...=index&func=WI

Not only would you get to shoot under different conditions than on a static firing line at a range, but you would get to network and find out where these guys shoot to practice.

[restlessnomad]

just curious, how could doing what is legal land you with disturbing the peace? I don't get it.

I don't get it either, but it really is the situation here. If i decided to open carry in any part of this state, LEO would be all over it. Someone would call the police, saying I've got a gun. They would show up tell me to case it, I would refuse stating that its my right in this state. Then I would be arrested.

Are there many of you that shoot IDPA or other competitions in Wisconsin. I'm a bit nervous about jumping into it, I don't know if I'm that confident in my skills yet. I'd like to go with someone thats been around it a while, anyone willing??

[mattro]

http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum57/

[restlessnomad]

^ I was made aware of that site after posting this thread, if you read through some of the posts you'll find what I described to be pretty accurate. If you know of anything that shows the opposite, I'd really like hear about it.

What would you do in such a situation? Would you OC and deal with the consequences, possible a felony which would prohibit you from guns altogether?

[mattro]

move ti Indiana.

I oc or cc 24/7 with almost no restrictions.

I went to my local police department the other day to ask a cop about towing an abonded vehicle down the street from me.

I stood there talking to 2 cops while I had a 1911 on my hip in plain view. A cop blows me crap about carrying and I will go ape s**t on that cop.

A matter a fact, I decided to quit telling cops I have a loaded gun on me if I get pulled over on a traffic violation. The last cop took my gun and called in the serial numbers after I volunteered taht I had a gun with a legal ccw permit. Indiana does not require that I inform the officer that I have one when he pulls me over.

[restlessnomad]

I guess since I've lived in this state my entire life I've never questioned why things are the way they are. That is until I felt compelled to be able to defend myself and my family. Quite honestly its not a choice I have outside of my home and its a bit scary when I think about it. Until things change, my 3in blade (max length allowed to carry concealed) & my mag-lite will have to do.

[Manedwolf]

you might need to invest in a high quality airsoft gun, which mimicks the weight at least, of your gun. I have a couple cheaper ones, but they do a decent job.

I've never seen the point of that myself. It doesn't at all train one for recoil, muzzleflash, or gun operation. They're also just disappointing.

I'd tried one, and yes, it was a "good" one, but it felt like I was playing with a child's toy, and it felt ridiculous.

[mattro]

Get CRAZY active in local and state politics and try to get things changed.

[RJay]

Very few, if any ranges allow you to draw and shoot. In fact I don't know of any around here, could be wrong. Now most ranges around here don't really care how fast you shoot as long as it's not bump firing. Way too many people shoot them self or the guy in the next line while practicing quick draw.

[Trip20]

restlessnomad,

The Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area, located 6 miles north of Stevens Point (with access from County Hwy X and Hay Meadow Road), is 5,677 acres of state-owned land filled with marsh, brush, and forest on which you may shoot all year round any way you like.

And it's free.

Click here for a map of the area.

My only recommendation is that you keep in mind that this is public land. Having a proper backstop and knowing whats beyond your target are things you'll want to keep in mind.

I use a similar state-owned forest unit in my area (Wausau) for all of my pistol shooting. I've found an area off the trail where a friend and I built up a backstop using the natural lay of the land (slight depression), along with downed logs/stumps and other debris from the area.

It may take some preparation and a little work, but you'll have access to your own "private" range during daylight hours for free. Not to mention this state-owned land is a great place to small game hunt if you're into that sort of thing.

Here's a list of other similar state-owned units in Portage County. You can click the name of a few to be directed towards a map similar to the above Dewey Marsh map:

Mead (George W.) Wildlife Area
Size: 28,500 acres, (28,208 owned, 292 leased).
Location: 11 miles southwest of Mosinee; Hwy. S bisects property. Access also from Hwys. C, M, H and O.

Little Wolf River Fishery Area
Size: 340 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 5 miles northeast of Rosholt. Access from Hwy. 49.

Bradley Creek Fishery Area
Size: 378 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 3 miles northeast of Rosholt. Access from Hwy. 49.

Paul J. Olson Wildlife Area
Size: 1,650 acres, all state-owned.
Location: Parcel 1 is 4 miles west of Rudolph on Hwy. M in Wood County; Parcel 2 is 3 miles north of Rudolph on Hwy. C in Portage County.

Richard J. Hemp Fishery Area
Size: 1,221 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 3 miles north of Nelsonville; access from Hwys. ZZ and Z.

Buena Vista Wildlife Area
Size: 11,340 acres, (6,940 owned, 4,400 leased).
Location: 10 miles east of Wisconsin Rapids on Hwy. W and 4 miles south of Plover; scattered parcels.

Emmons Creek Fishery Area
Size: 1,470 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 8 miles northeast of Almond on Hwy. D. Access from Fountain Lake Road. Site near Hartman Creek State Park.

Spring Green Unit- Lower WI State Riverway
Size: 600 acres, all state owned.
Location: West and east of Spring Green off Hwy. 23.

This forest unit information was found here.

Here is a more expansive list of public recreation lands contained on the Wisconsin DNR website.

[restlessnomad]

Thanks Trip, I wasn't aware that was an option. Do you know anywhere that it states you can shoot in these areas? I appreciate the info, and send me a PM if you'd like another shooter around.

[The Tourist]

Originally Posted by CNate

I feel your pain. I live in Madison myself.

I would suggest those on a budget go to The Deerfield Gun Club. I used to be a member there, myself.

The Bristol area also has a gun club, although I do not know if they are still taking memberships.

I bagged my varmint rifles out at the Waterloo Gun Club. It was the only place that had a 200 yard range--at that time.

You might also try the range in Stoughton.

[Trip20]

Originally Posted by restlessnomad

Thanks Trip, I wasn't aware that was an option. Do you know anywhere that it states you can shoot in these areas?

First and foremost, let me clarify for you that there's an actual designated shooting range on the Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area: Click Here For More Info. Hours are somewhat limited, but it's cheap ($3/day or $30 for the entire season).

At any rate -- I'm no lawyer, but this is the best I can do with little time while at work. Here are some WI States Statutes and Portage County Ordinances that are relevant to the topic.

Wisconsin's public wildlife recreation lands are open to a full range of traditional outdoor recreational uses, except where prohibited by rule or statute.

Wisconsin's "Recreational Use Statute" defines Recreational Activity as follows:

WISCONSIN STATUTES
PROVISIONS COMMON TO ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS IN ALL COURTS
CHAPTER 895: MISCELLANEOUS GENERAL PROVISIONS

895.52(1)(g): "Recreational activity" means any outdoor activity undertaken for the purpose of exercise, relaxation or pleasure, including practice or instruction in any such activity. "Recreational activity" includes hunting, fishing, trapping, camping, picnicking, exploring caves, nature study, bicycling, horseback riding, bird-watching, motorcycling, operating an all-terrain vehicle, ballooning, hang gliding, hiking, tobogganing, sledding, sleigh riding, snowmobiling, skiing, skating, water sports, sight-seeing, rock-climbing, cutting or removing wood, climbing observation towers, animal training, harvesting the products of nature, sport shooting and any other outdoor sport, game or educational activity. "Recreational activity" does not include any organized team sport activity sponsored by the owner of the property on which the activity takes place.

In reference to these "Wildlife Areas," Wisconsin's DNR website states, "Any restricted uses of wildlife areas will be designated with signs at the property."

I know at the Forest Unit I utilize most often, there's a sign that reminds recreational land users to be at least 300ft from any roadway or parking area prior to discharging firearms.

Portage County Code Of Ordinances:

Section 6.1.6.(C) Firearms:
No person shall have in his possession or under his control any firearm or air gun as defined in Section 939.22 of the Wisconsin Statutes, unless the same is unloaded and enclosed is a carrying case, or any bow unless the same is unstrung or enclosed in a carrying case in any county park except if such bow or gun is within the confines of any designated gun or archery range or in those parks where hunting is authorized.