The Forks Rifle Club

The Forks Rifle Club was established in 1933 to promote competitive rifle shooting in the greater Grand Forks area. Today they operate the W. G. Coulter Rifle Range in Emerado, North Dakota, affiliated with the National Rifle Association, North Dakota Shooting Sports Association, and Civilian Marksmanship Program.

The range complex includes multiple shooting areas:

• •15-point National Match Course — High power rifle range with 200, 300, and 600-yard firing points
• •500-meter silhouette range — Dedicated high power rifle silhouette shooting
• •Sighting-in range — Separate facility with 25, 50, 100, and 200-yard backstops
• •Covered shooting bays — Seven bays with heated shooting house for weather protection

The eight-point, 50-foot indoor smallbore range accommodates junior and adult shooting programs during winter months. Only .22 long rifle, short, or long calibers permitted (no hyper-velocity ammunition). Range officers supervise all firing, and eye/ear protection is mandatory for anyone under 18.

• •Juniors Program — NRA certified instructors teach smallbore rifle and precision air rifle to young shooters. Juniors receive nominal fees and free participation in any league activity. Anyone through their 18th birthday qualifies as a junior; shooters aged 18-22 also participate in leagues at no additional cost.

• •Hunter Safety Classes — The club house serves as classroom for hunter education and marksmanship training.

• •Matches & Leagues — The club sponsors:
• •High power rifle matches and championships
• •Smallbore rifle competitions
• •Handgun matches
• •Vintage military rifle matches
• •Multiple indoor and outdoor shooting leagues

Matches are open to nonmembers. League participation requires membership or per-session fees for nonmembers.

This is a members-only range—anyone firing a firearm must hold membership. Two membership types available:

Members receive membership cards required when using the range. Gate combinations provided to adults 18+. Supervised minors and guests welcome but cannot fire firearms unless participating in sanctioned matches, leagues, or training programs.

The club enforces strict safety protocols:

• •All firearms must have muzzles controlled on range property
• •Empty chamber indicators required during matches and strongly encouraged anytime
• •Eye and ear protection mandatory for anyone under 18 in organized activities; strongly recommended for all
• •No fully automatic fire (though legal autos may fire semiautomatic); bump stocks, trigger cranking devices, and binary triggers prohibited
• •.50 caliber Browning and similar high-energy firearms prohibited without Executive Committee approval
• •Tracer, incendiary, or explosive projectiles prohibited
• •No shooting at glass bottles, concrete blocks, or equipment
• •Metal targets on sighting-in range only if installed by club (ricochets risk)
• •Shotshell ammunition prohibited on sighting-in range; clay shooting available at designated locations
• •All alcohol and drug use prohibited

"Most importantly, remember that this is a member run club. Anything abused or neglected will have to be taken care of by other members."

Range Address: 2051 12th Ave NE Emerado, ND 58228

Mailing Address: Forks Rifle Club, Inc. P.O. Box 14842 Grand Forks, ND 58208

Contact: (701) 787-1934 [email protected]

The Forks Rifle Club operates as a member-run organization with 90+ years of shooting tradition. They've invested in quality facilities—from the heated shooting house to the 50-foot indoor range to multiple outdoor shooting distances. The junior program attracts young shooters with affordable fees and free league participation. They host matches throughout the year affiliated with national shooting organizations, drawing competitive shooters across the region.