Pineridge Target Sports Club
Learning Skills and Safe Practices Our Goal
Our Club
The Pineridge Target Sports Club was started in 1938 by a group of GM union workers under the name Union Rod and Gun Club. They loved hunting and fishing, and were ardent conservationists. They held annual fishing derbies, the "Annual Weed Drag", on Lake Scugog. They practiced trap and skeet shooting at ranged properties around Oshawa.
In the 1950s, they bought a farm in the Newcastle area. The club members wanted not only a place to shoot, but a chance to promote conservation. During those first years, the members planted some 4,000 trees annually and turned the land into the current woodlot. In 1961, they were able to buy the adjacent farm north of their property, creating the 129 acre facility we have now.
Today the club offers year-round indoor and outdoor shooting facilities. The club has a 25-metre indoor range for handguns and small bore target rifles, as well as air rifles and air pistols. The blue roofed building contains the 25m indoor range. The club started with a 100m outdoor range, but in 2012 added a 50m outdoor range.
Since this aerial photo was taken, we have made substantial improvements to the club facilities. We added a new one-room building for meetings and training. We moved the trap ranges, and added shooting positions. Improvements to the 100m range, include a concrete pad and roof over the firing line. And last year we have added a pad and cover to the 50m range as well.
Training and safety are important to us. The club provides training in proper handling and safe use of firearms. We also offer training for range officer certification.
The club is a member of the Canadian Shooting Sports Association and operates under regulations set down by the Chief Provincial Firearms Office.
Safety
SAFETY AND FIREARMS TRAINING
Members must take a number of training courses and meet other requirements to use our ranges. They must have/complete:
- the RCMP Firearms Safety Course to acquire a Possession and Acquisition License in order to own and use a non-restricted firearm (rifles and shotguns primarily);
- the RCMP Restricted Firearms Safety Course to obtain a Restricted PAL to own a handgun or other restricted firearm;
- the Club’s own intensive restricted firearms course to be able to shoot handguns and restricted firearms (a one-day classroom course and qualifying test and eight practical handgun training sessions);
- a six-month probationary period after passing the course before full access is granted to the indoor range.
At the Club:
- Members and guests must sign in upon entering the Club and are strictly prohibited from consuming or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Hearing and eye protection is mandatory.
- Children, youths and adults without a PAL are allowed to shoot at the club only under the direct supervision of a club certified range officer.
Other Points to Note:
We provide a safe environment for responsible firearms training and practice. Pineridge Target Sports Club is licensed under the Canada Firearms Act under the supervision of the Chief Firearms Office of Ontario. The CFO inspects our premises and ranges on a regular basis; and our operating license is renewed only if all conditions meet with its approval.
Groups using our ranges are supervised by a Range Safety Officer who ensures that safe firearm handling is followed at all times. Safety is the guiding principle at the Club. We have strict rules for use of our ranges and anyone who does not comply is denied shooting privileges.
Firearms and ammunition are not stored on the property.
Announcements
MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS FOR 2025
Please see the November newsletter for details.
Our Executive and Section Chairs
President Will Babiy
Secretary-Treasurer Sharon Young
Vice President Bill Nicholls
Other Executives Scott Brent, Paul Young
Chairs:
Membership Paul Young
Property Newman Parrott
Publicity Achim Krull
Trap
Target John Wright
Canteen Gwen Bate
Safety and Training George Jones
Small Bore Achim Krull
Sergeant-at-Arms Scott Brent
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Updated April 25, 2024
Indoor Range
The 20m indoor range is used mainly by handgun and small bore rifle target shooters. This facility is open seven days a week. Regular Club shoots are held Tuesday afternoons and Sundays for all members. The Smallbore target shooters use it Friday afternoons and evenings for practice and competition shooting. The club also uses this range for safety training and certification of range officers.
Recently we have added a back-splatter curtain. Please observe the rules regarding permitted and prohibited munitions on the indoor range.
Trap Range
At one time, the club trap and skeet shooters practiced at rented facilities, or actually shot at Lakeview Park in Oshawa. That changed when the club acquired its present property in the 1950s. In September 1966, the trap range was opened appropriately enough with a trap shooting competition. The winner was Phil Duncan, who hit 24 out of 25 birds, with runs of 15 and 9.
The trap range is used year-round. It offers two five-position ranges for trap shooters. The activity attracts both new and experienced members. Training is available to people new to the sport. The trap ranges are open Tuesday afternoons and Sundays.
Trap Shooters started 2019 off with a friendly shoot and BBQ on New Year's Day. Despite the cold and winds, everyone had fun, and it made for some interesting shooting.
The Smallbore Rifle Section
Members of this section are small-bore (.22 cal.) rifle shooting enthusiasts. They meet every Friday afternoon and evening to shoot and hone their skills on the club’s indoor range. Weather permitting, they also use the outdoor 50m range in the summer. Some also practice outdoor bench rest shooting at a distance of 100m. Members in this section frequently compete in local, provincial and national matches. Two participants are qualified members of the Canadian National Rifle Team. Others simply enjoy the sport. They shoot all three positions, prone, kneeling and standing, in the sporting, match and hunter rifle categories.
Rifle Section
Hunters and target shooters using larger calibre rifles make up this group. They shoot outdoors, predominantly on our 100m range. Users can shoot standing or seated, freehand, prone or bench rest. The 100m firing line is roofed over, and shooting benches are available.
The club's 50m outdoor range is currently uncovered. However, shooting benches are available. It is used predominantly to shoot handguns and large calibre target and hunting rifles.
More than Shooting
The Pineridge Target Sports Club welcomes not only its actively shooting members, but has its doors open to their families as well. Once a month the club holds a Social Sunday, where members and their families get together over a meal and participate in various club activities. Every June the club holds a Family Day, with BBQ, music and shooting events under the watchful eyes of club-certified Range Officers. The Pineridge Target Sports Club brings members and family together regularly, to meet others, to allow family members to share in club activities, and to build community.
Who's Who
Opening 50M range - October 2021
2020
The indoor range continues to see improvements. We added new insulation to the suspended ceiling and removed some 20 years of accumulated lead and other debris. Much of that work requires our volunteers to wear hazmat suits.
Events 2017-2020
2019 Family Day Pix
2019 Events
This week, November 5, we added a new shelter to the trap range, and hopefully we will have heating added, to provide a place to warm up for trap shooters in winter.
The trap shooters started the year off right. These are some pictures of their shooting session and BBQ on New Year's Day. Despite the cold, a good time was had by all.
Sunday, January 13, 2019 - The Newcastle Air Cadet Squadron Air Rifle Team shot the LSBA match. Here are some photos of the event:
The cadets are again shooting that competition, as of November, 2019.
Annual General Meeting - April 2019
Membership and Contact
The Club is not accepting any new members at this time. For further inquiries, or to be placed on our waiting list, please come to the club on any Sunday between 10:00AM and 1:00PM.
We are located at 3796 Concession Rd. 3, Clarington, Ontario, just east of highway 35/115.
