Franklin County Sportsmen's Club

Franklin County Sportsmen's Club earned recognition from KeepGunsSafe.com as one of the best gun ranges in Massachusetts. This private, non-profit membership club operates on 81 acres of land in East Deerfield and is dedicated to supporting responsible gun ownership while providing safe, well-maintained shooting facilities for members and invited guests.

The facility features the Arthur G. "Bud" Prentice Memorial Field House—a full clubhouse equipped with:

• •Large meeting/lecture room with heat, air conditioning, and wireless internet
• •Upgraded bathrooms with new fixtures and on-demand hot water
• •Ready room and storage facilities

Outdoor facilities are plowed during winter months for year-round use. Shooting starts at 8:30 am Monday through Saturday, and 10:00 am on Sundays. All shooting must end at dusk (one half hour after sunset).

The club runs regular skeet shoots (Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 am, Thursday at noon) at $3 per round for members and $6 for guests. Beyond regular range time, Franklin County hosts:

• •Practical Handgun Group sessions (meets regularly on Saturdays)
• •Bench Rest Rifle Matches testing precision at distance
• •Black powder shoots throughout the year
• •Steel target shooting for pistol and rifle
• •Rimfire Challenge competitions
• •Shotgun Challenge events
• •Turkey Shoots (seasonal)
• •5-Stand courses (Spring onward)

The club provides firearms safety education to both members and the general public:

• •Massachusetts License to Carry/FID Classes (open to public; next scheduled class 9/20/2025)
• •Hunter Education Courses
• •Advanced pistol training through visiting instructors
• •Range Safety Officer certification classes
• •Specialized firearms trainings on topics relevant to the shooting community

Franklin County is a private, members-only club. The club has a membership cap, though currently there are openings. New member applications require an interview with the Board of Directors. Membership includes:

• •4-hour annual work commitment to the club (can be fulfilled through work bees, committee service, event help, or paid at $10/hour)
• •Access to all ranges during posted hours
• •Monthly member meetings (third Wednesday at 7:00 pm)
• •Discounts on club-hosted activities

Guests are welcome when accompanied by a member. All guests must complete a liability waiver and pay a $10 guest fee. Non-members must remain supervised by their host member at all times.

The club actively welcomes women shooters and has a "rapidly growing number of women members." FCSC is positioned as a place for women to receive mentoring on shooting basics, firearm selection, and skill development. The club facilitates peer mentoring for all new shooters regardless of background.

Address: 721 River Road, Deerfield, MA 01342 Mailing: PO Box 716, Turners Falls, MA 01376 President: Steven Podlesny

Whether your interest is trap and skeet, rifle, pistol, black powder, or archery, Franklin County Sportsmen's Club positions itself as the place in Western Massachusetts to learn, practice, and enjoy all types of recreational shooting.

The club demonstrates ongoing commitment to facility improvements: recent projects include indoor pistol range floor renovation with epoxy coating, new 50-yard range construction, roof replacement, new signage, storage facilities, and teaching/warming cabin additions. The membership's volunteer work days (work bees) are core to maintaining and improving the property.