Hancock County Gun Club

Located just north of Carthage, IL at 1605 Highway 94, Hancock County Gun Club operates as a private, non-profit organization with three purpose-built shooting facilities. The club offers members 24/7 access to its 50-foot indoor pistol range, daylight access to both the rifle and trap ranges, and hosts regular competitive events throughout the year.

The indoor range accommodates centerfire handguns and rimfire rifles only. Members can shoot at any hour—literally 2:00 AM if you need to perfect your bullseye stance. The facility includes:

• •Ventilation system to pull smoke away from shooters (switches at each end of firing line)
• •Lobby area with heater for cold months
• •Paper targets only (shooters provide their own)
• •Jacketed bullets authorized; no centerfire rifle calibers
• •All fired brass collected in designated red metal containers for recycling

Shooting from the 50-foot line only. All targets run down to the backstop—no close-range exceptions.

Members have 7-day-a-week daylight access to the outdoor rifle range with berms positioned at 25, 50, 100, 200, and 300 yards. Features include:

• •Paper targets on plywood backing or target stands
• •Steel targets permitted if set up per manufacturer instructions
• •Metal plate targets allowed at 100, 200, and 300-yard berms only
• •No binary explosive targets (Tannerite) permitted
• •Rifles zero-sighted at 25 or 50 yards before longer-distance shooting
• •Bowling pin table available for handguns only at 25-yard backstop
• •Cleanup and brass collection required (live ammo must be removed to allow brass recycling)

Two trap fields serve different purposes. Field one is available for member individual use; field two hosts league competitions, scholastic events, and public trap shoots.

Member trap access requires training. The club maintains a newer trap system and requires all members to complete a quick training session before receiving the combination to the trap house. Members must:

• •Provide their own birds
• •Power down the trap at the main breaker when finished
• •Shoot only one shell at a time
• •Wear ear and eye protection
• •Keep night shooting within reasonable hours (suspended at 9:30 PM)
• •Close action on a shell only when it's your turn to call and shoot

No handgun or rifle shooting on trap range—no berms to stop bullets.

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Begins mid-January with two shooting disciplines:

Classes: Rimfire Iron Sight/Scoped, Centerfire Iron Sight/Scoped, .45 ACP Iron Sight/Scoped, Bug Gun (combat only)

Shooting starts at 4:00 PM, wraps around 7:30 PM. Participants under 18 need parental consent. You must provide your own eye and ear protection.

Three categories for the 2024 indoor season:

Combat: Standing off-hand, NRA B-27 silhouette, 10 rounds each with mandatory reload. First round in 45 seconds, second in 30, third in 15. Semiauto or bolt action (two magazines minimum, six recommended; semiauto preferred).

Precision: Four NRA A-17 small bore targets, 10 rounds per target, shot from standing off-hand, kneeling, sitting, and prone positions. Semiauto or bolt action (one magazine required, four suggested).

Sporter: Six CMP sporter targets, 10 rounds each from three positions (standing off-hand, sitting/kneeling, prone). One target per position shot in 10 minutes; second target rapid fire—5 rounds in 25 seconds (semiauto) or 30 seconds (bolt action), with a called reload, then 5 more rounds in the same time limit. Semiauto or bolt action (minimum two magazines, six suggested).

The Illini West Scholastic Trap Shooting Program accepts graduating 8th graders through high school seniors. No prior experience required—students don't need to own or have ever shot a shotgun. The program teaches:

• •Safe and responsible gun handling
• •Lifetime shooting skills
• •Physical and mental discipline
• •Equal competition (girls and boys compete together)
• •Accommodations for physically challenged participants

One-time signup fee: $25.00. Practices and school competitions are free. Funding comes from National Rifle Association grants, Hancock County Gun Club support, fundraisers, and private donations. Students are not required to buy or own a shotgun.

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Cost: $50/year individual dues, due by January 15 annually. After that date, the club changes facility locks.

Requirements: - Download and submit membership application - Be sponsored by two current club members - Participate in two shooting events (allows prospective members to familiarize themselves with the club and current members to evaluate candidates) - Join the National Rifle Association - Illinois residents must provide FOID number

To Apply: Mail applications with dues payment to: > P.O. Box 222 > Carthage, IL 62321

Officers & Contacts: - President: Bob Emmert ([email protected]) - Secretary: Amy Little ([email protected]) - Treasurer: Jim Ritchey ([email protected]) - General Info: [email protected]

Chief Instructor: Bernie McPherson Indoor Range Officer: Melvin Moore Trap Range Officer: Steve Moore Outdoor Range Officer: Kyle Walter Scholastic Program Officer: Keith Hartweg

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• •24/7 indoor pistol range access for members
• •Daylight-only rifle and trap access (trap shooting suspended at 9:30 PM)
• •Two trap fields with one dedicated to member individual use
• •Multiple rifle distances from 25 to 300 yards
• •Organized competitive leagues for pistol, rifle, and trap
• •Youth development through scholastic trap program
• •Facility maintenance: Regularly maintained equipment, ventilation system, brass recycling program