PA game lands

[Big D]

Does anyone know the rules for use of the shooting range located in the
French Creek PA state game lands? How about a listing of the location,
official title , etc. of the PA state game lands?

I tried the states web site and the links to the game commission without
success.

Thanks for any help! -Dale

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[Richard Davis]

It's SGL 43, and the rules are posted there.

Basically, no rapid fire or anything that can fire rapidly. Expect to get
hassled by the Game wardens. About 10-15 rifle ranges, only one pistol range
and one shotgun range. The part I find interesting is that the only firearm
legal for regular game in Chester County (where SGL 43 is located) is
shotgun.

Location: Just off of route 345 in Warwick, PA near St.Peters village. I can
email you a scanned map if you wish. Send your email address to me (mine is
dav...@rcn.com) and I'll send it to you in either jpeg or bmp format, you
choose.

Official title: State Game Land (SGL) #43.

I used to go there often when it was a "real" range in the 70's & early
80's. I lost interest when a gun's "fashionable" aspects decided whether you
were allowed to shoot or asked (thinly veiled threat of arrest) to leave. I
hear the other SGL ranges are the same, which is why private ranges are
really doing well around here.

You can find all the PA State game lands listed in a map called the
"Gazetteer", which is a collection of USGS topo maps of PA. You can find the
Gazetteer in better map stores. If you're near King of Prussia, try
Franklin's Map store on Henderson Road. Or try sporting good stores.

Richard Davis = dav...@rcn.com

Big D <bi...@home.com> wrote in message
news:7qneut$jtf$1...@xring.cs.umd.edu...
> ...

[Ranger Owner]

The actual situation on rapidfire is that autoloaders cannot have more than
3 rounds in the magazine, and you cannot shoot rapid fire as to 'spray' the
target. This was implemented to reduce chewed up targets by the less
accuracy inclined. Also no tracer, incendiary, AP, etc., which few private
ranges permit. Considering the range we used had 50, 100, and 200 yard
firing points, is state run and operated, and is free, I cannot really
object to the rapid fire limitations. 200 yard firing points are not always
present a pay ranges and clubs. I have gone to these ranges since 1977. I
am now resident in VA, but when the wife and I going back to visit friends
in PA we will take some of his guns, like M1's carbines, Mini-14s, and an AR
flattop and the four of us will go shooting. We were never hassled or even
insinuated to leave.

The Game Wardens were always helpful, took a special interest in the Garands
(which we offered to let them try after some discussions on Garand
collecting and variations), and even loaned us tools once when we had a
problem.

Keep in mind, in PA, the only autoloaders permitted for hunting is shotguns,
plugged to 3 rounds, for small game ONLY.

Richard Davis <dav...@rcn.com> wrote in message
news:7qnkkl$4f6$1...@autumn.news.rcn.net...
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range
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firearm
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[Mm7023]

#Basically, no rapid fire or anything that can fire rapidly. Expect to get
#hassled by the Game wardens.

You forgot to mention the three round limit.

When firing on the state owned firing ranges, a limit of three rounds in any
pistol, rifle, or shotgun applies.

Firing more can or will result in confiscation of the firearm, and a heavy
fine.

[Richard Davis]

Roger that.

Thanks.

...[edited]...

# You forgot to mention the three round limit.

Correct. I don't think I've been there since they enacted that.

# Firing more can or will result in confiscation of the firearm, and a heavy
# fine.

I believe it!

In my case, I took two teenagers to show them shooting for the first time.
It was well before the current regs. (before 1990). Nothing was confiscated,
no fines, etc. Just an unpleasant treatment by a Range Officer (Game Warden)
and *presto*, two more folks alienated from the gun industry. I tried
following it up with the Game Commission and even local Law Enforcement (I
suspected he was an imposter at the time) but they were totally
disinterested.

Since then, I've heard of other "incidents" similar to mine at PA SGL
ranges. I doubt it happens often, though.
Caveat Emptor.

[Kevin C. Ford]

Mm7023 <mm7...@aol.com> wrote in message news:7qq1q6$s42> You forgot to

mention the three round limit.

#
# When firing on the state owned firing ranges, a limit of three rounds in
any
# pistol, rifle, or shotgun applies.
#

# Firing more can or will result in confiscation of the firearm, and a heavy
# fine.

The range rules posted at SGL 127 (monroe county) state thet the limit is
_six_ rounds in a _handgun_ at a _handgun range_. SGL 127 has two ranges,
one 100 & 200 yard for rifles (with nice benches) and 25 & 50 yard handgun
and rifles using handgun ammo).