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Cohutta Sportsman’s Center Range Rules
The Range Rules are intended to prevent unsafe practices, protect the members, and protect and preserve range equipment and facilities. Membership in the Cohutta Sportsman's Center is a privilege that is based on your safe and responsible use of the club. FAILING TO ADHERE TO THE RANGE RULES MAY PLACE YOUR MEMBERSHIP AT RISK OF BEING SUSPENDED OR TERMINATED (PURSUANT TO SECTION 8: PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF RULES).
Our Chief Range Officer (CRO), Range Officers (ROs) and Assistant Range Officers (AROs) are approved by the Board of Directors (BoD). Together with the general membership, they are responsible for checking sign-ins and observing members on club property to ensure that the Range Rules are followed and that there are no unattended non-members on club property. ROs and AROs also donate their time to ensure that there are organized shooting venues for members and guests to participate in and that ranges are correctly set up and maintained.
The CRO, ROs and AROs know the rules, they are responsible for ensuring that the Range Rules are followed and they are empowered by the Board of Directors to act on behalf of the Club. If a CRO, RO, or ARO approaches you with comments, concerns, or questions please recognize that they are the authority on the range. Any argumentative, hostile, or combative response to their comments, concerns, or questions will not be tolerated.
Even though many of us are competent shooters who have years of experience with firearms, the Range Rules are non-negotiable and they apply to everyone on club property. Although some may consider them restrictive, they are designed to ensure that everyone safely enjoys shooting sports and their time on the range.
1. GENERAL CLUB POLICY
A. Vehicles
Speed Limit: The speed limit on all club roads is 15 mph.
Traffic Crashes: Any traffic crashes that occur on club property must be reported to the RO or CRO within 24 hours. If the value of damage to the vehicle (s) or club property is greater than $500, the crash must be reported immediately to the Murray County Sheriff’s Office.
Personally Owned Vehicles (POV) Vehicles, of any type, may not be driven on any range, including firing points, except for maintenance or as necessary during matches under the direction of an appointed Range Officer (RO) or the CRO may approve one-time exceptions on a case by case basis.
Parking: Parking is permitted at the main parking lot before going to the range area. The parking spaces in the range area are for handicapped, equipment drop off or special permission parking only.
B. Access Control
Access to the Cohutta Pines property is currently gated with a keypad for access and a vehicle detector plate for exit. You will be provided the gate code at membership approval. We are working with a provider that will install a smart phone app reader that will open the gate and log in the member.
C. Drugs and Alcohol
The possession or use of illegal drugs under any circumstances is prohibited on Club property. Consumption of alcohol before or during shooting is prohibited. Handling firearms after the consumption of alcohol is prohibited. Alcohol may not be consumed on a firing line or firing range.
Alcohol may be consumed, after shooting and after all firearms are put away, in the parking lot and other areas of the club that are not part of the shooting ranges. Violation of these rules by any member or guest will result in a formal Range Rules violation complaint to the CRO and a disciplinary hearing by the BoD. Disciplinary action up to and including permanent expulsion from the Club property for the member and guest may result. Note: Members and guests should use caution while taking over the counter or prescription drugs that may affect their physical and cognitive ability. No one should handle firearms if they are adversely affected by medication.
D. Club Property and Buildings
Only Club Officers or authorized maintenance personnel may open locked buildings. Closed gates or cones indicating that a range or road is closed may not be opened by anyone but a Club Officer. Do not walk or climb on side berms or back berms.
E. Organized or Group Events and Camping
Group matches, unscheduled practice matches, clinics, events, and structured activities must be authorized and approved by the CRO and/or the Club's Board of Directors (BoD) in advance.
Overnight camping for members and non-members competing in, or supporting shooting matches and specific events must be authorized by the CRO, or the Match Director (MD) who is responsible for the match or event. Any RO who authorizes camping for non-members that are participating in a match should notify the CRO and Club Manager via email with the name, vehicle description and location of each individual that is remaining on the premises.
2. RANGES
A. Training
All formal training (Fee based or otherwise) conducted on Cohutta Pines property requires prior approval from the CRO or BoD. Formal training includes but is not limited to; NRA courses, Defensive shooting courses, Pro shooter clinics, and any other “syllabus” type structured programs. Informal coaching of family members and guests is acceptable and does not require prior approval.
B. Matches
The Cohutta Sportsman's Center is actively promoting and increasing our match schedule for almost every weekend of the month. The match schedule is posted on the Cohutta Pines web site and listed on PractiScore. Scheduled matches take precedence over all other activities. In some cases ranges may be closed the afternoon before a match for setup. In this case, the range will be closed from the afternoon before the match until the match is complete and all teardown is done. In most cases matches are scheduled so that there is another range that may be used. For some match events, the matches may span multiple bays on a range or even the entire range. In those rare cases, the entire range will be closed to the general membership.
It is critical for safety reasons that all firearms on the “Match” range are under the control of the Range Officers. Members are encouraged to check the calendar before making plans to shoot on a specific range. The schedule posted on the Club Calendar must show all dates that specific ranges are closed for set up, match use, and tear down.
C. Range Use
Each shooting bay is to be used only in the manner set out in the range rules and/or authorized by the CRO or RO on duty. Repeated or egregious infractions will result in expulsion and loss of membership. The following list shows the authorized ammunition caliber and/or firearms type authorized at each individual shooting bay:
BAY 1: Pistol caliber and Rimfire ONLY.
BAY 2: Pistol caliber and Rimfire ONLY. ALL firing must be from the 15 yard line.
BAY 3: Pistol caliber, small Rifle caliber, Rimfire and Birdshot.
BAY 4: Pistol caliber, small and large Rifle caliber, Birdshot, Buckshot and Slug. Rimfire.
Additional Range Rules are as followed:
3. NFA Firearms Usage
MEMBERS IN POSSESSION OF NFA FIREARMS OR DEVICES REGISTERED WITH THE BUREAU OF ALCOHOL TOBACCO FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES (BATFE) MUST KEEP A COPY OF THEIR REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS AND DISPLAY THE DOCUMENTS UPON REQUEST FROM A CLUB OFFICIAL OR RO. USE OF ANY BATFE REGULATED FIREARM OR DEVICE AT THE COHUTTA SPORTSMAN'S CENTER WITHOUT THE CORRECT PAPERWORK IN YOUR POSSESSION IS A VIOLATION OF THE RANGE RULES.
FULLY AUTOMATIC FIREARMS: National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms with full-automatic-fire capability may not be fired in full-automatic mode. Firearms capable of full-automatic-fire may be fired in semi-auto only. Members must complete a NFA certification process and compliance inspection with specific range rules governing the use of automatic firearms with the CRO or RO. After completion, members may fire pistol caliber full-auto firearms in full-auto mode.
SUPPRESSORS: Silencers or noise suppressors may be used on any firearm appropriate for the range it is being used on. For example; a 22 pistol with a suppressor may be used on any range where a 22 pistol may be used. Under no circumstances should a member or guest use an improvised suppressor on club property.
4. Range Etiquette
Range safety is a must at the Cohutta Sportsman's Center to remain a safe place to shoot. All members and guests are expected to follow the Club’s Range Rules, and all members share the responsibility to enforce these rules. If you see dangerous or prohibited activity taking place, courteously bring the behavior to the person(s) attention. They may simply be unaware of the danger or rule violation. A gentle reminder is better than an accident or a lawsuit. If you are unable to correct a safety or rule violation diplomatically, note the person’s name and/or description of the individual, the make, model and license number of their car, or anything else that will help club officials identify the member. Immediately forward this information to the Range Officer responsible for the specific range, the CRO or RO. In addition, please report any damage to Club property to a Club officer immediately.
THE COHUTTA SPORTSMAN’S CENTER IS A COLD RANGE. NO LOADED FIREARMS MAY BE CARRIED ON THE PREMISES UNLESS THEY ARE ON AN ACTIVE FIRING LINE OR BEING TRANSPORTED FROM A LOADING AREA TO AN ACTIVE FIRING LINE. EXCEPTION: CRO, RO AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN UNIFORM OR WITH A BADGE DISPLAYED MAY CARRY LOADED FIREARMS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR OFFICIAL DUTIES.
5. Children
Eye and ear protection is REQUIRED for anyone under eighteen (18). Infants, toddlers, and children under five (5) are allowed in the common areas of the club behind the shooting bays, parking lot, the access road behind Bay 3, and picnic tables under roofing only with the supervision of a NON-SHOOTING adult.
Any person under eighteen (18) years of age who is shooting must be accompanied and DIRECTLY SUPERVISED by an adult eighteen (18) years old or older, provided the minor’s parent or legal guardian has signed the shooting range waiver. MEMBERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDUCT OF ANY PERSON UNDER EIGHTEEN (18) THEY BRING TO THE RANGE AND CLUB. Members, guests, and minors alike shall follow shooting range commands called by the Range Officer (RO) immediately and without question. Unsafe handling of firearms and/or failure to follow these rules may result in removal from the range.
6. Safety Rules
The following basic safety rules apply on all ranges at all times:
7. Bringing your Firearms to the Range
Only firearms appropriate for use on a given range may be used on that range. When firearms are moved between vehicles or carried to and from ranges they must be unloaded and carried in an appropriate case, gun rug, holster, or shooting cart. If long guns are not in a case, gun rug, or shooting cart, the action MUST be open with an Empty Chamber Indicator (ECI) inserted or the bolt completely removed, and the firearm carried with the muzzle pointed up (Follow instructions on posted signs for each range). Every member is given 2 ECIs during the New Member Orientation and ECI’s are available upon request from the Club Manager or ACRO’s.
While moving from one bay to another on the same range, pistols in holsters may not have a magazine (even an empty one) in the gun and revolvers must be unloaded. Shoulder holsters are prohibited at Cohutta Sportsman's Center. On duty, Law Enforcement Officers may carry their firearms in a loaded condition. However, no other person may carry a loaded firearm of any kind on Club property except when on a firing line or when moving from a loading area to a firing line, and only in accordance with accepted practices of disciplines routinely shot at the Club. All guns not on an active firing line must remain unloaded. A loaded firearm must never be left unattended. This is a serious violation of Cohutta Sportsman's Center Range Rules.
8. PENALTIES FOR VIOLATING RULES
Except as provided elsewhere herein, violation of Range Rules will result in action deemed appropriate by the CRO, Club Manager or other club officials (Range Officer, Board of Directors) based upon the nature of the violation and the conduct and demeanor of the offending party. Argumentative, hostile or combative behavior or language will not be tolerated. Penalties may include, but are not limited to suspension and/or a repeat of the “New Member Orientation Briefing,” or permanent expulsion. Members are responsible for the conduct of their guests and as such will be held accountable for Range Rule violations committed by their guests. Appeals of any penalties will be in accordance with the By-Laws of the Club.