Mendon Conservation League

Mendon Conservation League started when a group of local shooters wanted a place to practice together. Formally incorporated in 1961 with just 40 members, the club has grown to over 250 members today. A modest clubhouse was built around 1957 and expanded in 1986 with a large front porch.

This range handles handguns, rifles, shotguns, and muzzleloaders. You can shoot: - Paper targets on wood holders or homemade stands - 500-grade steel plates (must be mounted safely to drive bullets toward ground) - Clay pigeons on the back bank - Targets on the permanent wood backer at the back left

New metal targets were installed in 2023. Range has wood benches for shooting positions.

Dedicated precision rifle range with paper targets on wood backers positioned only at 100 yards. Includes prone and disability benches built by members. You can also temporarily place steel or homemade targets at 100 yards positioned left or right of existing targets.

Members can hunt the club's 50-acre property during NYS DEC hunting seasons. Important restrictions: Only club members, their spouses, and children age 12-21 can hunt. Members must be present with family members while hunting. Monroe County firearms restrictions apply—shotgun with slugs, muzzleloader with single projectile, or handgun only for deer hunting. No centerfire or rimfire rifles allowed.

• •Cost: $110/year (or $120 if dues not paid by February meeting). New members voted in October-December get free 2026 dues.

• •Work Exemption: $25 option available for members who can't participate in club maintenance.

• •Access: Members receive a gate card (card swipe required), membership badge (required to wear while shooting), and 4-digit code for clubhouse and range building doors. Lost gate cards incur $10 replacement fee.

• •Guest Policy: Members can bring up to 3 guests at $3/day per guest. Guest must stay with member at all times. After 3 visits, guests must join MCL or cannot return.

MCL enforces strict facility rules. Members found disobeying rules or destroying property face immediate expulsion and possible prosecution.

• •65-Yard Range Specifics:
• •All shooters need hearing and eye protection
• •Handguns only permitted per New York State law
• •Shotguns allowed for turkey load sighting or home defense testing
• •Rifles and shotguns with single projectiles shot at 50 yards or greater
• •Only paper, steel, and clay targets permitted (no cans, glass, breakable items)
• •All firearms must be unloaded or have actions open when entering/leaving range
• •Clean up brass into white buckets or take with you
• •No live rounds in brass buckets

• •100-Yard Range Specifics:
• •Paper targets on wood backers at 100 yards only
• •Do not shoot at timbers supporting target stands or uprights
• •Clean up all targets and trash
• •Pick up brass into bucket or take it

• •General Conduct:
• •All members must wear MCL badge while shooting
• •Members are responsible for monitoring guests directly
• •Recent misuse incidents: members shooting yardage markers, range stands, safety cones, trash containers, and timbers
• •Do not leave targets set up when leaving the range
• •No unattended loaded firearms

Members gather for Wednesday lunch shoots with 10-20 participants. Menu varies daily but lunch is typically $4. Meetings happen monthly for membership votes, renewals, and club business.

Hunters must sign in/out on the posted sheet outside the porch. A metal topographic map is available—place a magnet on your planned hunting spot so others know where you are. Stay on MCL property. Property is posted with MCL signs. Follow NYS hunting laws and maintain safe distance from residential areas (500 feet for firearms per NYS DEC).

As of 2025, all gate access switched from code entry to card swipe. Clubhouse and range doors use 4-digit codes printed on membership cards. Gate cards are non-transferable—you cannot share your card with anyone else. Renewal by February 15 required annually to maintain access.

• •NRA Membership: No longer required to join MCL (as of September 2022), though the club encourages members to join the NRA to defend Second Amendment rights.