Need Help - Gun Ranges near Bowie, Upper Marlboro, and South

[Bug Guy]

Hey all,

I was up in PA to do some sighting in with my Pop. It's a long story, but we are restricted to Sundays and it rained like crazy that morning. Given my schedule, my Dad's, and the new baby it looks I'm not gonna make it back to PA before the season starts. My pop will be in town to look after my little one for a week (in 2 weeks) and I'm wondering if we can find a place down here.

Looking for a place to sight in rifles, shotguns, and possibly flintlocks targeting up to 100yards at least. I love in Bowie. Closer to that the better, but I'll drive up to an hour if we need to...preferably to the south and/or east. All but one gun are just to check accuracy from last year and remembering how to breath and shoot correctly, so we are not talking about a lot of shooting. Willing to pay a fee. I mostly want a relaxed place where I can go early on a weekday, but I'll take all suggestions.

I've never shot at a public or private range (always had a place to go in PA on private property - oh, how things have changed :rolleyes:). So maybe I'm missing something in terms of questions or expectations. All opinions welcome.

Thanks,

Bob

[terrytuna]

Anne Arundel fish and game just outside of annapolis. They have a shotgun and rifle range, I think you can pay to use it, they have trap and skeet shooting as well.

[JameyC]

Check your hunting book or online for Myrtle Grove Wma they have a nice range and its public.

[duckhunting23]

there is a gun range in bowie on 197 just past the d.a.v. right where the bike bridge crosses 197 before you get to bowie state. really nce guy and a great range

[refish]

there is a gun range in bowie on 197 just past the d.a.v. right where the bike bridge crosses 197 before you get to bowie state. really nce guy and a great range

anyone know the name or phone number of the range in bowie

[Bug Guy]

My best guess was that it is the Berwyn Rod and Gun Club. Berwyn Rod and Gun Club (http://www.berwyn.org/)

[refish]

Thanks, looks like you can't just pay and use the range. I will call and check if not I will ride down to Mrytle Grove.

[Bug Guy]

I got a bmail indicating the guy at Berwyn may be open to dealing, but there were no assurances.

Myrtle Grove is nice. The guys at Fred's told me the rangers are hard to find to get a day pass, that Freds sells the day passes, and that often, people have come back to get a day pass because they couldn't find the rangers to buy one at the park. Also, when I called down and talked to a ranger, I was told that no one would be in the office after noon but that someone would "be around", which makes me think someone would likely stop by and check for passes but not really be available to sell them. Since it's good for the hunting season, and I figured Fred's wasn't making money on the passes, I just bought one...now I have an excuse to shoot in the spring for fun.

I'd go early in the day too. When I was there, around lunch time, a line had formed to use the range. The guy that got there at 9am said he had the place to himself for about an hour before anyone showed up.

Good luck,

bob

[jim_b]

Wish I had seen this thread earlier.

We do have a public range at Myrtle Grove WMA. You need a permit to shoot there.

Seasonal permits can be purchased at any license agent in the state. (Walmart, Fred's, BassPro etc.) You can also buy the seasonal permit online. The seasonal permits are $20 and are valid from the time you buy it until July 31st.

One day permits can be bought at the Myrtle Grove WMA office during office hours.

We are a field office and our office hours do vary throughout the year.

During Hunting season (Sept 1 through Jan 31), there will definitely be someone at the office from 7am through Noon, Monday - Friday, except for State Holidays and Service Reduction days. (The office is closed 11/25-26&27) Someone is frequently there until 3pm, however there are times when everyone is in the field after 12. It is a good idea to call ahead if you plan to stop by for a permit after 12.

Outside of hunting season, it is best to call the morning you plan to stop by the office to find out when someone will be in.

The range is closed during the Deer Firearms season that starts this Saturday.

Information on the range and it's hours can be found here Myrtle Grove WMA (http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/southern/myrtlegrove.asp#sa)

For more information, call the Myrtle Grove Office at 301-743-5161.

Jim

[Bug Guy]

Jim,

I hope my post didn't imply anything negative about the office being open/closed. (see my thumbs up post here: http://www.tidalfish.com/forums/chesapeake-hunting/276306-multiple-thumbs-up-my-day-sighting.html). I think we all understand that the people in the office have obligations outside in the field. I'm pretty sure the guy at Fred's was including people that drive down there after office hours and situations where people have to run out to the field to take care of something. I've worked with natural resources agents of various kinds (DNR, police, rangers, etc.), and I know that things happen where everyone needs to be out.

I had a great experience there, people were nice, the facility was nice, it's going to be my place to shoot unless I find a private range/property to shoot.

Of course, a canopy over the shooting benches would be nice for those rain days ;-)

Actually, I'm also going to look into hunting down there next year. Seems like a great place all around.

Cheers,

bob

[jim_b]

Bug Guy, I didn't take your post as negative. Trust me, when people aren't happy they let us know!:eek2:

As for the roof, all I can tell you is that there is a project planned to re-do the benches and cover the firing line. Given the current budjet situation, I fully expect that to get pushed back to another fiscal year.

Jim

[Bug Guy]

Jim,

I am a grad student at UMD, so I understand budget cuts.

I figure, I may just buy one of those canopies from Wal-mart if I'm in a pinch next time.

cheers,

bob

[refish]

Was there just after 9 all by myself, set my target at 50 yds got my brand new H&R slug gun out fired 3 hornady sst didn't hit the paper tried 3 lightfields same thing. Moved target to 25yards tried three of each again still nothing. Got my old 870 out put on new rear sight tried at 25yds shot a little low made and adjustment reshot and dead center move target out to 50yds 2" above other shot. Now I'm pretty ticked at new gun,took and got reboresighteed looked thru the scope after tool installed and it was not even close to center got the adjustments made looked perfect to me.Went back to myrtle grove getting a few more people there but got a place, set up targets same as earlier with same results.Packed up and came home disgusted with new gun.

[Bug Guy]

Wow, that kinda stinks...look on the bright side, with the $20 permit you can go back and try again later. At least you got one gun shooting straight though. Hope it works out for you.
cheers,
bob