FAQ

The rifle range, pistol range, shotgun range, archery range and fishing pond are all located on the site of the former Hamilton, MA landfill, of which the club leases a portion from the town. Refer to our About Us page for directions to the range facilities.

Members access the Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun and Archery ranges, as well as the Fishing Pond, by entering through a locked gate on Chebacco Road in So. Hamilton. Note that the Town of Hamilton may lock the Chebacco Road gate "open" to allow 24/7 access to town vehicles. After passing through the Chebacco Road gate, members must pass through another gated area to access our facilities.

Access through the second gated area will be by means of an electronic key card.

The range is open seven days a week, all year, Monday through Saturday from 9AM to 7PM (or dusk - whichever is earlier), and on Sundays from 10:00AM to 4:00PM. In the event of a club-sponsored competition, the Sunday hours can be extended to 9:30AM to 4:00PM.

For certain holidays, such as Easter Sunday and Memorial Day, no shooting is allowed.

Other holidays and special events such as local law enforcement training, may require temporary closure of the Rifle and Pistol ranges to all members and guests. Note that our lease with the Town of Hamilton requires that the Hamilton Police Department has access to the range for training and requalification purposes. The HWRGC Executive Board may grant access to other local law enforcement agencies and will notify members by email and/or club website of any scheduled range closures.

The club may sponsor various types of competitive shoots and may charge a nominal fee for those events. The shoots are typically announced at general membership meetings and also via email and/or club website.

For more information on upcoming pistol and rifle shoots, please contact our club's Range Officer Mark Sczcechowicz.

Sunday morning shotgun shoots at the shotgun range (i.e. "The Hollow") are very popular. For more information on upcoming shotgun shoots, please contact our club's Treasurer Mike Giardina.

The club does not typically limit what type of firearms and ammunition that can be used at the range. Automatic weapons usage is prohibited without express written permission from the HWRGC Executive Board which in turn must coordinate with the Hamilton Police Department for such intended usage. Refer to our club By-Laws for more information and leave your bazookas at home.

Shotgunners! Our Environmental Stewardship Policy requires that we shoot steel shot only. Lead shot is not allowed at the Shotgun range.

The club shares a section of the former landfill area with another club, the Marsh Rats. HWRGC and the Marsh Rats have combined shooting events from time to time.

Yes, each member may bring a maximum of one guest at a time to the shooting ranges. Since shooting space is limited, the one-guest rule is necessary in fairness to our other members.

The club maintains porta-potties near the Pistol and Rifle ranges and the Shotgun range for your convenience, comfort and luxury.

General membership meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at the the American Legion, 37 School St. South Hamilton, MA. Refer to our About Us page for directions to the meeting site.

No, just fill out the membership form and appear before a general meeting of the membership. A check for the initiation fee and dues, etc. will be required at that time. See our Membership page for the application and more information. At the meeting, membership candidates should be prepared to stand and introduce themselves and state their home town and reason for joining (i.e. target practice activities, shotgun shoot competitions, etc.).

Note that new members MUST attend mandatory range orientation (on the weekend after the meeting in which they joined the club) in order to be granted range access. The orientation is fairly brief and once completed, the new member will be given a range key and/or key card to allow unescorted access into the range area and full use of the range facilities. Members that cannot make the required weekend range orientation (due to work or other schedule conflicts, etc.) may work out a mutually acceptable time with the HWRGC officers.

Yes, at a minimum, the club supports the NRA, GOAL (Massachusetts Gun Owners Action League) and the Essex County Sportsmens League. Other organizations may be supported as per the wishes of the HWRGC Executive Board and membership.

The training is free for all members in good standing. Guests may also take the training for a fee which is determined by the firearms trainer.
See our Firearms Training page for more information.

Typically, the club will sponsor at least two social events of which family and guests are invited. There is a summer clambake and steak feed which is usually held in the Pistol and Rifle range areas.

The club also holds a combination membership meeting and Christmas party in December of each year. Typically, this is held on the night of regular December membership meeting date, which would be the third Tuesday of the month.

Yes, the club does have an annual scholarship program. Either one $1,000 or two $500 scholarships will be awarded to students that complete a scholarship application and are chosen by the HWRGC Scholarship Committee. The deadline for submitting the application is May 1st of each year. For more details and the application, click here.

* Members and their guests are welcome to fish!
* A Massachusetts fishing license is required for all those 15     years of age and older.
* No bait allowed! (except at club-sanctioned events)
* Barbless hooks ONLY!
* Catch and Release ONLY!