North-Central Illinois Range--Aurora Sportsman's Club (2011)

[LeoAtrox]

New thread for 2011 since the previous thread about ASC got filled up with perishables.

The Aurora Sportsmen's Club (http://www.aurorasc.org) has a "fifty-friendly" rifle range located south west of Waterman, Illinois, about 60 miles due west of Chicago.
About the Club: The Aurora Sportsmen’s Club (ASC, Inc) has been in operation for more than 60 years and is incorporated as a Not-For-Profit Illinois Corporation. The Club operates as a “Members Only” organization dedicated to training and education. It currently conducts all of its activities and programs at its new 518 acre site located just south of Waterman, Illinois. Many of the Club’s activities are open to the general public.

What Facilities does the club have?
Our 50ft, 25yd, 50yd, 100yd, 200yd, and 600yd Rifle/Pistol ranges can handle any rimfire or centerfire firearm legal in Illinois (up to and including .50 BMG).


We have two Skeet fields, three Trap fields, a 5-Stand field and a ten station/100 shot Sporting Clays course.


Archery includes Field and 3D ranges. Hunting is permissible with the proper state and club permits. Future plans call for fishing and camping on site (the man-made lake is stocked). The ASC facilities are open and available to Regular Members 365 days per year.

Is the Club ever open to the public?
Regular Members of ASC (Members with keys) have open access to all club facilities every day. Annual Shooting Members, Daily Members and guests are welcome to enjoy our facilities during events that are open to the public. In addition, everyone is welcome to participate in a wide range of educational and training programs.


ASC is also home for SAFERUSA which holds numerous NRA and other firearms classes throughout the year, inclusding classes tailored for the ladies.


Shotgun Sports offers many open to the public activities for the shotgun enthusiast. Please visit the shotgun page for details.

There are many recurring monthly events and matches including Practical Rifle matches on the fourth Saturday of the month, Rifle/ Pistol match shooting each 2nd Sunday of the month, and Muzzleloading matches the 3rd Sunday of the month. We also offer other events that are open to the public. Please check the Calendar for those events. Keep in mind that these events are matches, not open shooting.

[LeoAtrox]

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION ON THURSDAY EVENING, MARCH 24TH AT 6:00 PM
INTERESTED NEW MEMBER CANDIDATES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND

OPEN HOUSE !! SATURDAY APRIL 9TH 10:00 TILL 3:00
THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO COME AND CHECK US OUT !!

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR NEW LOWER FEES FOR 2011 !!

[Stitch]

Hey Leo what about a Corporate Membership? We have three massive facalities about 1 mile from the range, I can see the club house from my office.

[LeoAtrox]

We do have some memberships for law enforcement, military units, and security companies; and we can rent out ranges too. I'm not sure if you're looking for company training facilities, or if you're looking for personal memberships at a reduced rate, but if your team is big enough or you can get a certain number of people from your company to commit to regular membership, our marketing department can probably work something out for you and your company, or get you in touch with the right people. Shoot an e-mail with your group size and requirements over to marketing@aurorasc.org and we'll see what can be done.

ETA: I have been in touch with marketing. Basically, a "company membership" is a membership that the company pays for to allow their employees use of the facilities. This is typically granted only to law enforcement, military units, and security forces. At the present time, there is no group discount mechanism within our constitution or by-laws.

I will add, since it hasn't been stated yet, that our dues/assessments are the lowest they have been in years. Annual membership is down 11% to $280, and pro-rated for new members. By extension, the non-pro-rated initiation fee for new members has also dropped 11% to $280. So, in total, the cost of a new membership--assuming a January initiation--fell 11% this year.

And, in case you are concerned about assessments: Assessments are not paid by first-year members. Recruiting a new member stops the remaining assessments for existing members paying monthly, and assessments are discounted if paid for the full-year in advance. The Club's assessements (assessed to existing members only) have dropped 40% to $180 per year. The total cost for existing memberships is down 25% this year.

I'm telling you, you'd be hard pressed to find a Club with the amenities we have lowering dues 25% anywhere else. 2011 is a good year to be an ASC member.

[LeoAtrox]

Members may now use reactive targets in approved locations. This is huge for the 200 and 600 yard shooters.

[jaxdilation]

Wow I lived right next door to Aurora for 3 (2001 - 2003) years and got the feeling that the club
was impossible to join. Either full up or just not very friendly

Glad to see things have changed, and the pictures support what I've always heard about the great facilities.

[LeoAtrox]

Wow I lived right next door to Aurora for 3 (2001 - 2003) years and got the feeling that the club was impossible to join. Either full up or just not very friendly

Glad to see things have changed, and the pictures support what I've always heard about the great facilities.

Things have changed. Five years ago--before the decision to move from Sugar Grove was forced on the club--there was a long waiting list. Sponsored applicants had priority over non-sponsored applicants, and family members have priority over the them. With the move to Waterman, the size of the club has increased tremendously, and so did the costs. Many of the costs have been adjusted (unused landed sold off, etc.) but we still need more members so that we can afford to more quickly build new facilities like range houses and a full clubhouse. The club is now taking all applicants (registration is open, even to non-sponsored applicants) and you can generally get your membership done in less than a month from applying. With the new "blood" (so to speak) in the club, many of the old guard have stepped down, and the club is generally more open to new ideas than it had been in the past. We've setup new departments (like the Action Shooting department) and many new events (the Zombie Shoot, charity shoots, and multple open houses each year). We can also host larger events as well (Appleseed shoot, etc.).

Some folks are working on getting industry-leading trainers out to teach courses at the club (the Club has been in touch with Magpul Dynamics, Ken Hackthorn, and others).

It's a pretty cool time to be a club member and make use of the facilities.

Speaking of "pretty cool":



This year's Zombie Shoot registration is open, but it won't be for long. By last weekend, there were already over 120 registrants. So if anyone is interested in taking on the undead problem in Illinois, you'd best get registered soon. Head over to http://www.thezombieshoot.com and check it out.

ETA: The Zombie Shoot will be held earlier this year in the hopes that we'll have better weather, and so that we have more time to shoot. SATURDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER, 0900-1800