Cape Girardeau County Gun Club

The Cape County Gun Club operates the trap and skeet facility at Apple Creek Conservation Area under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Missouri Department of Conservation. The range is located in northeastern Cape Girardeau County, roughly 20 minutes from the Fruitland Exit (I-55 Exit 105), surrounded by rolling hills and beautiful farmland.

The range opens to the public March 1 through November 30 each year:

Closed on Easter Sunday. During bad weather, the range may close without notice.

$5 per round of 25 birds (trap or skeet)

Price includes: - ERAD wireless voice release controller - 25 clay pigeons - Range use with trained safety officer present

Eye and ear protection available for nominal cost, but bring your own if you have them. Shooters supply their own shotgun and ammunition—shells are not sold at the range.

Both ranges feature ERAD technology that's become the standard in competitive shooting. The controller is credit-card sized, weighs less than two ounces, and clips to your collar. No wires, no slow pulls, no hassles—just accurate, timely releases when you need them.

Firearms safety is a major focus. A trained Range Safety Officer is present whenever the range is open. All instructions must be followed:

• •All firearms must be unloaded with action open when brought onto the range
• •Muzzle pointed in safe direction at all times
• •Loading only permitted at designated shooting stations when preparing to shoot
• •No shotguns larger than 12 gauge
• •Shot size cannot exceed 7½ (most use 7½, 8, or 9 shot)
• •No tactical shotguns with pistol grip
• •Empty hulls picked up only after RSO gives the "OK"
• •Eye and ear protection required for all persons on the range
• •Youth under 18 must be supervised by a parent
• •Anyone acting unsafely will be removed immediately

Shooters of all skill levels welcome—from age 8 to 80+. Club members often mentor beginners. No alcoholic beverages permitted on the range.

• •Dues: $50/year individual, $75/year family, plus $10 initiation fee

Requirements: - Must be a current NRA member - Work two days per quarter (usually one Saturday and one Sunday) - Work includes opening trap/skeet houses, greeting shooters, monitoring activities, refilling clay machines, collecting payments, and closing procedures

Member Benefits: - Reduced rates for trap and skeet rounds - Trained RSOs have full access to office and ranges - Free shooting anytime the facility is open

• •To Join: Come shoot on a weekend and talk with an RSO, then apply at a monthly meeting (first Tuesday of each month at 7 PM, Cape Girardeau Elks Club basement).

The club runs seasonal leagues with prizes and competitive shooting events:

• •Summer/Fall Leagues: 5-10 week seasons with team competitions
• •R.L. "Dick" Wood Club Championship: Annual event with Gun Champion and Class B categories
• •ATA & NSSA Registered Events: Sanctioned trap (Amateur Trapshooting Association) and skeet (National Skeet Shooting Association) competitions
• •Prize Drawings: Winners can receive new firearms, choke tubes, and commemorative plaques

When you shoot your first 25 straight in trap or skeet, the other shooters take your hat and use it for target practice. It's an old club tradition celebrating the milestone. A shot-up hat becomes a great trophy.

The club works with the Missouri Department of Conservation to conduct educational programs for adult and youth groups, teaching appropriate shooting and conservation practices. Members have assisted with workshops including dove hunting instruction.

The Cape County Gun Club is an NRA-affiliated organization.