Excerpts from the club's Ground Rules and Regulations booklet

General

1. All members must wear their valid club button on their person whenever on club property or have a valid membership card on their person.

2. Only members and their guests are allowed to use club facilities. Each member is allowed to bring one guest at a time to use club facilities. The same guest is allowed to come with a member three times per year. The member is totally responsible for his or her guest's actions.

3. Wife, husband, mother and father may come to the club with a member throughout the year. Also, brothers, sisters and children under 18 years of age may come with the member throughout the year. The member is responsible for his or her relative's actions.

4. Members may camp overnight on club property in designated areas - must notify Camping Committee in advance. Any campfires must be in complete control at all times.

5. In season, members with a valid Massachusetts fishing license may fish on club ponds. These ponds are open to the general public. You must follow all Department of Fisheries and Wildlife regulations.

6. In season, members with a valid Massachusetts hunting license may hunt on club property in designated areas only. You must follow all Department of Fisheries and Wildlife regulations.

7. When a member uses club property, he or she is expected to keep the area he or she uses clean. Don't be a litterbug - THIS MEANS YOU.

8. This club is maintained, controlled and regulated for your pleasure and safety. You have been given the privilege of using its facilities and it is your responsibility not only to abide by its rules and regulations, but also to ensure that others abide by them in your presence.

9. Children under 16 years of age are not allowed to wander about unless accompanied by an adult.

10. Notice is hereby given that the Rod & Gun Club of New Bedford, Inc., as a club, assumes no responsibility for any accident occurring on club property, and the Rod & Gun Club of New Bedford, Inc., is held harmless from any and all claims for injuries or damages. Members and their guests use club property at their own risk. Any accident occurring on club property must be reported to a club officer at once. Please follow the Emergency Plan posted at the clubhouse.

11. Any member or guest who uses conduct unbecoming a member of the club, causes injury, endangers others or commits any negligent act is subject to review by the Board of Directors. Their decision will be final.

12. No shooting before 9am or after sunset on club property, except as designated.

Pistol & Rifle Range

13. The use of eye and ear protection is required by all persons on the range, spectators included.

14. It is prohibited to fire in any direction but down range. No cross-range shooting allowed.

15. Members and guests MUST ensure bullets impact berms. Any willful shot not impacting the berm is considered a negligent shot and subject to review per rule #11.

16. Firearms are not to be loaded until range is clear for firing.

17. All firearms are to be cased or holstered and unloaded or have the action open and unloaded when not being used.

18. Never turn around while you have a firearm in your hands. Always keep them pointed down range.

19. Never handle a firearm without first making sure it is unloaded. Do not handle firearms while behind the firing line.

20. Never, in case of a misfire, open the breech mechanism of any firearm for at least 15 seconds. Keep it pointed down range - it may be a hang fire.

21. All target frames must be of sufficient width to support standard targets. Target frames must be of sufficient height to have the bottom of the target at lease 48 inches above the target rack. Other target heights allowed with specific permission from Club Safety Officer to ensure bullets are contained within the ranges.

22. No portable target stands may be used at 50 yards or less on the 100 yard range.

23. Targets must not be hung on the target racks - i.e. the horizontal beams in which target frames are placed.

24. Shooting at rocks and bottles on range is prohibited. Only aimed fire at proper targets is allowed.

25. Before proceeding down range to inspect targets, the shooter must call out "All clear". Any shooter who has a loaded firearm must call "Not clear". Only when there are no loaded firearms on the firing line may a person go down range to check, replace or put up a new target.

26. Absolutely no handling or touching of firearms while people are downrange.

27. The use of illegal firearms on shooting range is prohibited.

28. It is prohibited to bring intoxicating beverages of any kind on the range or to be under the influence of liquor while using the range.

29. It is prohibited to use the range while under the influence of mind-influencing drugs.

30. Children under 16 years of age may not use the range except when with an adult member.

31. All firearms are dangerous when handled carelessly - they cannot think for themselves. Any mistake is your mistake, not the firearms. Regard the firearm as loaded at all times, take nothing for granted, look for yourself, and above all, keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction at all times.

32. Clean the area you used, including spent bullet casings. Dispose of trash in trash barrels and brass in "brass" buckets.

33. Common sense is your best judgment, when in doubt, don't do it.

34. Black Powder

• A. Must have flash guards on flintlocks
• B. No direct charging of muzzleloaders from flasks or horns
• C. No smoking when near black powder
• D. The cap must not be put on, the pan primed, or the cartridge put in the chamber before the shooter gets himself/herself ready to fire; in so doing he/she must point the muzzle down range

Trap Field Range

35. The use of eye and ear protection is required by all persons on the range, spectators included.

36. Shotguns are not to be loaded until it is your turn to shoot.

37. Use of magnum loads is prohibited

38. It is prohibited to fire in any direction but down range.

39. All firearms are to be cased or racked and unloaded or have the action open and unloaded when not being used.

40. Never turn around while you have a firearm in your hands. Always keep them pointed down range.

41. Never handle a firearm without first making sure it is unloaded.

42. Never, in case of a misfire, open the breech mechanism of any firearm for at least 15 seconds. Keep it pointed down range - it may be a hang fire.

43. The use of illegal firearms on shooting range is prohibited.

44. It is prohibited to bring intoxicating beverages of any kind on the range or to be under the influence of liquor while using the range.

45. It is prohibited to use the range while under the influence of mind-influencing drugs.

46. Children under 16 years of age may not use the range except when with an adult member.

47. All firearms are dangerous when handled carelessly - they cannot think for themselves. Any mistake is your mistake, not the firearms. Regard the firearm as loaded at all times, take nothing for granted, look for yourself, and above all, keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction at all times.

48. Common sense is your best judgment, when in doubt, don't do it.

Archery

49. Make sure no one is near target you are shooting at.

50. The use of broad head arrow on field targets is prohibited.

51. It is prohibited to fire in any direction but down range.

52. The use of firearms on the Archery range is prohibited, except during hunting season.

53. It is prohibited to bring intoxicating beverages of any kind on the range or to be under the influence of liquor while using the range.

54. It is prohibited to use the range while under the influence of mind-influencing drugs.

55. Children under 16 years of age may not use the range except when with an adult member.

56. All bows are dangerous when handled carelessly - they cannot think for themselves. Any mistake is your mistake, not the bows. Keep the bow pointed in a safe direction at all times.

57. Common sense is your best judgment, when in doubt, don't do it.

58. When looking for arrows, place your bow in front of the target.

59. Never walk backwards on the Archery Course.

60. No shooting arrows up into the air, except for Flu-Flu's in the designated areas.

Primitive Area

61. The use of eye and ear protection is required by all persons on the range, spectators included.

62. It is prohibited to fire in any direction but down range.

63. Firearms are not to be loaded until range is clear for firing.

64. All firearms are to be cased or holstered and unloaded or have the action open and unloaded when not being used.

65. Never turn around while you have a firearm in your hands. Always keep them pointed down range.

66. Never handle a firearm without first making sure it is unloaded.

67. Never, in case of a misfire, open the breech mechanism of any firearm for at least 15 seconds. Keep it pointed down range - it may be a hang fire.

68. Shooting at rocks and bottles on range is prohibited.

69. The use of illegal firearms on shooting range is prohibited.

70. It is prohibited to bring intoxicating beverages of any kind on the range or to be under the influence of liquor while using the range.

71. It is prohibited to use the range while under the influence of mind-influencing drugs.

72. Children under 16 years of age may not use the range except when with an adult member.

73. Common sense is your best judgment, when in doubt, don't do it.

74. The use of modern firearms on the Primitive ranges is prohibited, except during legal hunting season.

75. It is not permitted to walk down range at any time.

76. All firearms are dangerous when handled carelessly - they cannot think for themselves. Any mistake is your mistake, not the firearms. Regard the firearm as loaded at all times, take nothing for granted, look for yourself, and above all, keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction at all times.

77. Black Powder

• A. Must have flash guards on flintlocks
• B. No direct charging of muzzleloaders from flasks or horns
• C. No smoking when near black powder
• D. The cap must not be put on, the pan primed, or the cartridge put in the chamber before the shooter gets himself/herself ready to fire; in so doing he/she must point the muzzle down range