Big Canyon Gun Club was established in 2012 when shooters within Three Rivers wanted to be involved in developing community shoots, improving safety within the three rivers range and offer training for interested people. The club formed a 501 C7 corporation (nonprofit, nonpolitical) to raise money completely separate from the three rivers landowner budget. The club raises money through memberships, organized shoots and an annual raffle. These dollars are managed through a seven-person elected board of directors who establish a plan and manage the funds. The club is also an NRA member, has its own liability and property insurance to be responsible for their activities.
The club has been very successful in their work at the range and in 2018 worked with the Three Rivers Board to develop new range rules for the Three Rivers Shooting Range and negotiates an annual plan and budget with the Three Rivers Board where funds are designated only for common property improvements such as covers over shooting benches, shooting benches, gravel etc., where club funds are used for shooting equipment such as trap machines, steel targets, storage sheds and special projects that further supports common property improvements.
In 2012 the Gun Club put in place a National Rifle Association (NRA) Range Safety officer certification program to develop range rules and train additional shooters further developing the “RANGE SAFETY OFFICER PROGRAM” (RSO) that certifies additional shooters to help manage safety at the shooting range and gun club shooting events.
Three Rivers property owners and guests do not have to be a Big Canyon Gun Club Member to use any part of the Three Rivers Shooting Range open to all. Gun Club member benefits include 20% discount on price at organized shoots, discount on ammunition for shoots, participate in plans to develop range and a great sense of pride in the maintenance and development of the range. Over 40 volunteers work over 600 hours a year developing and maintaining the facility.
While the range is work in progress, what bright spot within Three Rivers it has become and I hope you consider joining us in further developing this wonderful and safer place to shoot.