Hello everyone! The holidays also bring us around to the annual renewal process.

Members who joined MCL late in 2022 still need to send in a renewal form even though they are paid through 2023.

Dues are due in January.  Dues not paid by the February meeting will have a $5.00 penalty added.

Please download and print this years renewal form. After filling it out, please mail it in or drop it off at a monthly meeting.

For readability, we prefer you use the fillable form. If you use IPAD or IPhone, you can fill it out and hit the books option to move it to your books file then print it.

MCL 2023 Renewal Application Form (can type in your info) (fillable)

MCL 2023 Renewal Form (write-in)

This is also going out in an eblast.

Mendon Conservation League
Policy on Misuse of MCL Facilities
April 2023

If members or their guests are found to be disobeying MCL rules and/or destroying MCL property the MCL member is subject to immediate expulsion per the policy adopted by the MCL Board of Directors on 4/12/2023. Members or guests may also be subject to prosecution. You are responsible for knowing MCL policy, no excuses.

MCL members are responsible for directly monitoring their guests. You may only have three guests at one time and you need to be close enough to give them visual and verbal commands. Members are responsible for paying a $3.00 fee for the day for each guest they bring to MCL. Once a guest has attended three times they must join MCL or no longer come to MCL.

We will be monitoring MCL facilities!

Misuse of MCL Rifle and Pistol Ranges that has led to our policy decisions.

We have had a number of instances of people misusing our Rifle and Pistol Ranges.

Examples include:

• shooting our yardage markers until they fell over
• shooting up the stands we provide for people to put targets up
• shooting at our orange safety cones
• shooting holes in our trash containers
• shooting at various inappropriate objects that they placed on the range.
• shooting at rocks shooting at the 8” x 8” Timbers that hold up the 100 yard range backstop
• shooting at the upright 2” x 4” that the 100 yard target backers are attached to.
• someone stole the white metal target stand that was in the 65 yard range. shooting at a 22 flip target with a high powered rifle which destroyed it.
• acting in an unsafe manner
• leaving target set up on the 65 yard range when you leave.
• members not being on the same range with the guest they brought.

We assume that by the time you are old enough to own a firearm and join MCL that you should know how to conduct yourself in a mature manner. If you can’t then find another place to shoot.

I want to thank Doug Merrill and Dick Killeen for creating and installing new yardage markers on the 65 yard range to replace those that were destroyed. The yardage markers are not targets, don’t shoot at them.

Ron Stappenbeck, President MCL

Mendon Conservation League

Acceptable use of the 65 and 100 yard ranges

4/19/2023

You are responsible for obeying the MCL General rules, 65 yard range rules, 100 yard range rules, MCL Code of Conduct and the 65 and 100 yard range shooting rules stated below. These rules are posted in the club house, on our web site and in the range buildings. You are also responsible for insuring your guests obey all MCL rules.

Shooting on the 65 yard range.

You may shoot at:

1. Paper targets that you mount using the wood holders and 1” x 2” boards with cardboard stapled across them or home made holders. You must put the targets high enough so your bullets hit the back bank, not the ground. You may place clay pigeons on such a target. These targets may be any distance from the shooting bench to the 65 yard bank.

2. Steel plates, which should be 500 grade steel. They should be mounted in a safe manner so when bullets hit them they help drive the bullet toward the ground. They should be placed at a safe distance from the shooter based upon the cartridge being fired.

3. Targets mounted on the wood backer that has been permanently placed at the back left side of the range. This backer may also hold a hanging steel target that you may shoot at.

4. You may shoot at clay pigeons placed on the back bank of the 65 yard range.

When you finish shooting return all target holders back to the shooting building and clean up any targets. Place trash in the trash container.

Clean up your brass and place it in the white brass bucket or take it with you.

Do not put live rounds in the brass bucket or leave live rounds anywhere at MCL.

Mendon Conservation League
65 YARD RANGE RULES
April 2013

1. This range is for shooting handguns, rifles, shotguns and muzzle loaders.

2. Rifles shotguns and muzzle loaders with single projectile ammunition should be shot at 50 yards orgreater to insure that their projectiles strike the rear berm and do not impact the ground before striking the rear berm.

3. You may shoot shotguns with shot for the purpose of sighting in a turkey load or testing a home defense shotgun. In the same manner you may test a handgun with multi-projectile ammunition. In this case you should shoot from either end of the shooting area and insure that your projectiles are not impacting on targets of other shooters.

4. Firearms should always be pointed in a safe direction. While on the range they should be pointed down range and be at an elevation that any projectile intentionally or accidentally fired hits the rear berm. No loaded firearm should ever be pointed in the air or toward other shooting positions.

5. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are on target and ready to fire.

6. Hearing and eye protection required for all in the shooting area.

7. No one is allowed to fire a handgun except as permitted by the laws of New York State.

8. Only paper, steel, and clay bird targets are permitted Clay bird targets must be placed at the rear berm. No breakable targets, cans, cups, glass bottles, etc. may be used on the rifle/handgun range.

9. All firearms entering or leaving the range should either be unloaded with action open, or unloaded and in a gun case. The exception is holstered handguns for those with a NYS carry permit.

10. When anyone wants to go down range they must check with all shooters to insure that all guns are unloaded, actions open, magazines removed. When anyone is down range, no one is to handle any guns on benches. The safety flag must be inserted in its holder when going down range. The last person to return removes the flag.

11. When returning from down range all shooters must agree that it is clear to return to firing. The last person to return removes the flag.

12. All shooting must be done from behind the firing line except for special events as defined by a Range Safety Officer.

13. All shooting is to be done at the target directly in front of your position. No cross fire is allowed.

14. No fast drawing of handguns is allowed on MCL ranges.

15. Maintain a safe and reasonable rate of fire that insures that all rounds impact on the target. NO RAPID FIRE.

16. When you finish using the range clean up your targets and place them in the trash. Clean up your brass and take it with you or place it in the brass container provided. Place shotgun hulls, steel or aluminum casings in the trash container.

17. Take any dud rounds with you. Do not put them in the brass container or trash.

18. If it is busy, please be courteous and take turns using the firing line so that all have an opportunity to shoot.

19. No food beverage or smoking is permitted on the firing line.

20. Trap and Skeet shotgun patterning should be done on the patterning board near the skeet high house.

Mendon Conservation League

Acceptable use of the 65 and 100 yard ranges

4/19/2023

You are responsible for obeying the MCL General rules, 65 yard range rules, 100 yard range rules, MCL Code of Conduct and the 65 and 100 yard range shooting rules stated below. These rules are posted in the club house, on our web site and in the range buildings. You are also responsible for insuring your guests obey all MCL rules.

Shooting on the 100 yard range.

You may shoot at:

1. Paper targets placed on the wood backers positioned only at 100 yards. No other distances are acceptable.

2. You may temporarily place a steel or home made target at 100 yards positioned to the left or right of the existing 100 yard targets.

Do not shoot at the Timbers at the base of the target stands or the 2” x 4” uprights that hold the target backers.

Cleanup your targets, put trash in the trash container, pick up your brass and place it in the brass bucket or take it with you.

Do not put live rounds in the brass bucket or leave live rounds anywhere at MCL.

Mendon Conservation League
100 YARD RANGE RULES
August 2015

1. This range is only for use with single projectile ammunition at a distance of 100 yards. No targets should be set at a distance closer than 100 yards.

2. No one should be shooting in a manner that their guns projectile strikes the ground in front of the 100 yard target point. All projectiles should impact the berm behind the 100 yard targets. Use the 65 yard rifle-pistol range for 50 yard sight in

3. You may shoot rifles, handguns, shotguns and muzzle loaders shooting single projectile ammunition at 100 yards only.

4. Firearms should always be pointed in a safe direction. While on the range they should be pointed down range and be at an elevation that any projectile intentionally or accidentally fired hits the rear berm. No loaded firearm should ever be pointed in the air or toward other shooting positions.

5. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are on target and ready to fire.

6. Hearing and eye protection required for all in the shooting area.

7. No one is allowed to fire a handgun except as permitted by the laws of New York State.

8. Only paper, steel, and clay birds targets are permitted. Clay bird targets must be placed at the rear berm only. No breakable targets, cans, wood, cups, glass bottles, etc. may be used on the 100 yard range.

9. All firearms entering or leaving the range should either be unloaded with the action open or unloaded and in a gun case. The exception is holstered handguns for those with a NYS carry permit.

10. When anyone wants to go down range, they must check with all shooters to see that all guns are unloaded, actions open, magazines removed before proceeding down range. When anyone is down range, no one is to handle any guns on benches.

11. Turn on the SAFETY STROBE LIGHT WHEN GOING DOWN RANGE. The last person to return turns OFF the safety strobe light.

12.When returning from down range all shooters must agree that it is clear to return to firing.

13. All shooting must be done from behind the firing line except for special events as defined by a Range Safety Officer.

14. All shooting is to be done at the target directly in front of your position. No cross fire is allowed.

15. No fast drawing of handguns is allowed on MCL ranges

.
16. Maintain a safe and reasonable rate of fire that insures that all rounds impact on the target. NO RAPID FIRE

17. When you finish using the range clean up your targets and place them in the trash. Clean up your brass and take it with you or place it in the brass container provided. Place shotgun hulls, steel or aluminum casings in the trash container.

18. Take any dud rounds with you. Do not put them in the brass container or trash.

19. If it is busy, please be courteous and take turns using the firing line so that all have an opportunity to shoot.

20. No food beverage or smoking is permitted on the firing line.

Mendon Conservation League
CODE OF CONDUCT
April 1, 2018

Membership in Mendon Conservation League, Inc. (hereafter abbreviated as MCL) is a privilege, not a right.

As a condition of membership, you have agreed to abide by the following rules of conduct.

It is understood that failure to do so may result in your censure and/or expulsion.

1. When you are on MCL property, it is your responsibility to obey all Federal and State firearm laws and regulations.

2. As an MCL member, it is your responsibility to respect your fellow members and guests.

Menacing gestures, verbal threats and violence of any sort against another person while on MCL property is strictly prohibited.

3. It is your responsibility to respect MCL property and the personal property of your fellow members and guests.

Vandalism and theft are strictly prohibited. If you accidently damage club or member(s) property it is your duty to promptly report it.

4. You are responsible for practicing safe gun handling at all times. The carelessness or mishandling of firearms in such a way as to endanger the safety of others is strictly prohibited.

5. It is your responsibility to wear your current badge and/or carry your membership card at all times while on club property.

6. You are prohibited from using MCL’s name, symbols, icons, trademarks, membership data, official statements, reports or constitution without permission and you may not imply affiliation with, sponsorship of, or approval by MCL without permission.

7. You are prohibited from using MCL to suggest or promote private business, political, religious or social agendas.

8. You are prohibited from using MCL’s not-for-profit tax status for personal purposes. You are also prohibited from performing any thoughtless or deliberate act that might invalidate MCL’s insurance or put the club’s existence at risk.

9. You are prohibited from bringing disrepute or embarrassment upon MCL or attempting to undermine its programs, projects or purposes.

Defamation, vilification, calumny, false accusation, slander & libel against MCL, its members, officers and directors are also prohibited.

10. It is your responsibility to abide by the existing By-laws, Rules and Regulations of MCL.

Ignorance is not an excuse.

Mendon Conservation League

General Club Rules

(By Order of the Board of Directors)

February 2023

1. Every member has a duty and responsibility to enforce the rules, check memberships, and notify a Officer or Director of any problem.
2. It is the responsibility of all members to be familiar with, and observe the rules of the range on which they are shooting.
3. Membership badges are to be worn, membership cards are to be carried while on any range and be presented, if requested to do so, by any member.
4. Treat all firearms as if they were loaded.
5. All firearms must be unloaded, with actions opened, or carried in a case when going to and from the range.
6. Firearm actions may only be closed when one is in firing position on a shooting pad.
7. All persons (spectators and shooters) in the immediate firing line area must wear both hearing and eye protection.
8. Members are responsible for their guests.  Members must remain with and supervise their guests.  When a members significant other or children are shooting at MCL the member must be present and supervising them. MCL members have priority on the range.  Guests are expected to join after (3) visits.
9. No alcoholic beverages are allowed on any of the ranges. Consumption of one alcoholic drink places all ranges off limits for that day for that individual. 
10. Anyone judged to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be allowed on the ranges.
11. No one under (12) years of age is permitted to discharge a firearm on any of the ranges,
12. An adult must accompany and supervise persons between 16 and 19 years of age who are not members.
13. Youths between 12 and 16 years of age must be supervised by either a certified NRA instructor, or by a parent or guardian.  Both the youth and the parent or guardian must have a valid New York State Hunter Training Safety Certificate.
14. Range hours are posted.
15. If you open the club, you must sign in.  If you close the club you must sign out.  If you open the club house, skeet, or trap ranges, please be certain to turn off any and all electric, and lock up upon departing.
16. Theft of personal or club property, or the willful destruction of club property will result in immediate expulsion and criminal prosecution (e.g. shooting at target holders, stands, etc.)
17. All pets must be under the control of their owner at all times.
18. Air gun and archery shooting will be allowed from Sunrise to Sunset every day of the week except for Tuesday when no shooting is allowed.  This rule change was passed by the Board of Directors in March of 2017.

  19. All non-members shooting events are banned with the exception of: 

1. Events involving members of other shooting clubs engaged in scheduled trap, skeet, rifle, or pistol competitions with MCL members.
2. Events supervised by current N.R.A. certified firearms instructors and/or N/Y.S. certified Hunter Safety Training Instructors.  For Boy Scout of America events an NRA certified Range Officer and an NRA certified instructor(different people) are required  for each range in use.
3. Private parties of no more than three non-member shooters supervised by an MCL member.
4. Events conducted by Local, State, or Federal Law Enforcement Agencies.”