Pond Creek Shooting Range

Pond Creek Shooting Range opened in Herrin, Illinois with a clear mission: build the best family-friendly shooting facility in the region at the lowest possible prices. Located 6 miles north of Highway 13 on Route 148, the range sits on Freeman Spur Road and operates as a membership-based facility with day pass options.

500-Yard Rifle Range - 10 shooting stations - Multiple targets on line - Long-range capability for serious rifle work - Target options include gongs and bowling pins at distance for challenge shooting

Stationary Pistol Range - 8 shooting lanes - Adjustable target frames set at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 yards - Built for progression training from close to intermediate distances

Reactive Pistol Range - Plate rack targets that reset with a cord pull from the firing line - Immediate feedback on hits - Competitive shooting environment

Sporting Clays Range - Two shooting stations - Automatic thrower on a wobbler that moves targets up/down and side-to-side - Prevents target repetition—each shot presents differently - Head-to-head competition setup

50-Yard Archery Range - New mats installed for 2025 - 25-yard option also available - Separate facility from firearms ranges

Memberships run annually from April to April. All shooters including guests must have a current waiver on file for the calendar year.

Pond Creek has certified NRA Instructors on staff offering one-on-one training for new shooters at all skill levels. Courses cover:

• •Firearm safety and operation
• •Pistol fundamentals
• •Malfunction clearing
• •Illinois concealed carry laws
• •Firearms ownership and carry regulations

Extra fees apply for training. Call 618-922-9657 to schedule.

The range also partners with local instructors:

• •Shawnee Training Academy (Carbondale)
• •Navreet Kang, NRA Certified Instructor
• •Illinois conceal carry permit classes
• •808 W Main Street
• •618-303-5264

• •Viper Defense (Carterville)
• •Jacob Null, Certified Instructor
• •30+ years military and law enforcement experience
• •Basic and advanced firearms training
• •618-521-0894
• •[email protected]

Key operational rules:

• •Maximum 2 shooters per lane; observers not allowed on range
• •All brass must be swept up and placed in marked containers
• •Only provided target boards allowed—no trash or ground targets
• •Absolutely no automatic firearms or enhanced triggers simulating automatic fire
• •No tracer, incendiary, or armor-piercing ammunition
• •Rifle fire .22 caliber maximum at pistol range
• •Shooters under 21 must be accompanied by an adult or valid FOID card holder
• •Shooters under influence of alcohol/drugs refused entry
• •Range closes during shotgun deer season weeks

Destructive shooting of range baffles, supports, or target holders results in damage charges and potential membership revocation. Members observing violations can report to the club president with license plate information, date, time, and violation details.

• •Address: 18089 Freeman Spur Road, Herrin, IL

Directions from Highway 13: - Head north on Route 148 approximately 6 miles - Turn right on Freeman Spur Road - Travel 2 miles - Range is on the north side of road

Contact: - Phone: 618-922-9657 (fastest way to reach someone) - Email: [email protected] - Mailing: PO Box 24, Freeman Spur, IL 62841

1. Valid Illinois FOID card (required for all members) 2. Completed membership application 3. Signed annual waiver 4. Payment of membership fee

Parents/guardians must complete additional agreement for shooters under 18. Day passes require advance notice by phone.

Pond Creek is newly developed with multiple facility expansions completed in recent years. Unlike established ranges, they've built modern infrastructure from the ground up: new reactive pistol targets, newly installed archery mats, a 500-yard range with multiple target presentations, and competitive-style clay shooting. They're actively growing with available memberships but note these fill quickly.