Southwest Conservation Club

Edward Roehm founded Southwest Conservation Club in 1938 with a mission to promote sportsmanship, wildlife conservation, and river beautification. What started as an idea has grown into a 37-acre facility that hosts shooters, archers, fishermen, and outdoor enthusiasts from across Fort Wayne and northern Indiana.

The gun range was completely rebuilt from the ground up in summer 2013 and sits as one of only a few firing ranges inside Fort Wayne city limits. Maximum shooting distance is 72 yards.

Range Details: - Open Monday-Saturday 9am to dusk, Sunday 12:30pm to dusk - $1 per person per visit donation - Eye and ear protection required - Shotshell patterning area (far left of backstop) - Slug guns 25 yards minimum - No automatic firearms, no rapid fire (1-second minimum between shots) - Paper targets only on backstop - Members sign in/out each visit

What's Not Allowed: - Armor-piercing, incendiary, or explosive ammunition - Thrown targets, steel spinners, cans, or glass - Guests of members

Range safety is non-negotiable. One unsafe act could shut down range access for all members.

Held the 2nd and last Sunday of every month, noon to 4pm. This is the only trap & skeet event held inside Fort Wayne city limits.

Field Setup: - 8-station skeet field with low & high house - 5-station trap field - $5 per round of 25 birds - 12 & 20 gauge shells available for purchase - Beginner instruction offered

All proceeds fund the club's conservation efforts.

Every 1st and 3rd Sunday, 10am-3pm (last shooter at 2pm). The 20-target course winds through woods and prairie with lifelike full-size animal targets: deer, bears, turkeys, and goats.

All skill levels welcome—hunters, families, and kids challenge their accuracy on this challenging course.

Competitive precision shooting with multiple classes:

Classes: - Stock (MSRP under $1,250, factory action, no modifications) - Stock Modified (aftermarket triggers and bedding allowed) - Unlimited (any 22 rimfire rifle) - Pistol (shot at 15 yards offhand, no shoulder braces, iron sights or red dots only)

Entry Fees: - $5 donation per person - $5 money pot per person per class - $1 target per person per class (pistol $0.50)

• •Payouts: 2/3 of money purse to 1st place, 1/3 to 2nd place per class.

Every 3rd Sunday (excluding December), noon-5pm. The Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association hosts open jam sessions—acoustic instruments only, all skill levels welcome.

Details: - Music informally starts around 2pm - Kitchen opens at noon with food for purchase - Free to attend, family-friendly - Great for community and musicians of all ages

Four connected ponds accessible by boat, dock, or shore. The club provides boats for members.

What You'll Catch: - Bass (catch & release only) - Bluegill & Crappie (20 pan fish limit per day) - Catfish (limit 3, 14-inch minimum) - Grass Carp (leave these—they control weeds)

Fishing Rules: - $1 per person per visit donation - Members, spouses, and children under 21 only - Life vests required in boats (US Coast Guard approved) - No gas motors—oars, paddles, or trolling motors only - Fishing day or night, but ponds close by noon on trap & skeet days - No wading or swimming - No frogs, turtles, or mutilation of fish

Quiet camping near ponds and hiking trails.

Costs: - Electric sites: $5 donation per night - Primitive camping: Free (donations appreciated) - Firewood provided (restock after use) - Restrooms available

Camping Rules: - First-come, first-served sites - Quiet hours: 11pm-7am - Campers cannot be left unattended for 48+ hours - Max 14-day continuous stay, then must leave for 24 hours - No vehicles on grass except loading/unloading - Campfires in designated rings only - All trash in provided containers

Class 1 trails (easy difficulty) wind through 37 acres of woods and prairie. Mostly flat terrain—a peaceful nature walk surrounded by wildlife.

First-Year Cost: - $150 annual dues + $25 initiation fee - Prorated to $75 if joining June 1-October 31 - Renewals after January 1: $155 after February 1

What You Get: - 24/7 range access (Monday-Saturday 9am-dusk, Sunday 12:30pm-dusk) - All four ponds for fishing - Campground access with electric hookups - Hiking trails - Archery course - Clubhouse for events - Membership includes spouse and children under 18 at home

How to Join: 1. Call (260) 747-4677 with your name, number, and interest 2. Find a member in good standing to sponsor you 3. Complete application and pay first-year dues 4. Attend orientation and choose a committee

Volunteer & Earn Credit: For every hour volunteered with a committee, earn $2 toward next year's dues. Work days happen the 2nd Saturday of each month, 9:30am-noon (rain or shine).

Weddings, receptions, graduations, baby showers, birthday parties—the two-story facility seats 200.

Rental Costs: - $200 refundable deposit at booking - $550 for 5-hour rental (both floors, tables, chairs included) - $75 per hour after 5 hours - Requires 2 club personnel: $75 per person + $20 per hour overtime

Available to Order: - Pop: $75 for 5 hours - Coffee urn (36 cups): $10 - Kegs: $175 each (Budweiser, Bud Light, Coors Light)

• •No outside liquor allowed. Contact Bill Branstrator at (260) 615-1993 to schedule.

Every 2nd Monday at 7pm. Members share ideas, get updates on club happenings, and build community.

37 acres, four ponds, one of the only public ranges inside Fort Wayne city limits, established 1938, dedicated to conservation.

This isn't a commercial range—it's a conservation-focused membership club with roots going back nearly 90 years. You're joining an organization with a mission: true sportsmanship, wildlife preservation, and river beautification. The facilities are maintained by members who care about the land and the sport.