City Services
Parks and Recreation Department
Skeet and Trap Range
1620 Tulip Drive
P.O. Box 1748
Gastonia, NC 28053
Phone
(704)866-6065
Home of the Bulldogs
Adaptive Shooting Event
Bridge II Sports, Turning Point Nation, Gaston Young Guns and the National Wild Turkey Federation sponsored an adaptive shooting event for the mobility challenged at the Gastonia Parks and Recreation Skeet & Trap Range.
Skeet, Trap, What’s the Difference?
With Skeet, the targets always cross in front of the shooter and follow the same path, one high from the left and one low from the right. The field has two separate target throwing houses: one high, with the target being ejected at about thirteen feet above the ground, and the other at three feet above the ground from the low house. There is no variation in the target path. The shooting field has eight positions (or stations) arranged in a semi-circle. Up to five shooters may participate in a “round,” with each shooter taking their turn at station one and then all of the squad proceeding together to each of the other firing points. A full round of skeet includes 25 targets, allowing for one shot at each target. While formal competition is based on shotgun gauge, various bores are used in skeet. Shot sizes are typically limited to #8 or #9.
In Trap, there is one target-throwing machine located at the middle front of the range and the targets fly away from the shooters. The machine oscillates, which may result in targets being ejected at a 45-degree angle left or right of the target house, or anywhere in between. Shooters man five field stations over a straight line behind the machine. Each member of the five-person “squad” takes a turn with each sequential shot, one shooter followed by another shooter sequentially across the field. After five cycles (each shooter having shot 5 times), each shooter rotates to the next station, and the process begins over again. The targets are typically 30-40 yards downrange when hit. Most often, 12-gauge shotguns are used with shells of 7.5 or 8 shot.
About the Range
The Gastonia Skeet and Trap Range is located on the Rankin Lake Park property at the end of a gravel road, named after Bob and Pat Boyd, who operated the facility for many years. It is accessed from Tulip Drive.
Harrelson Yancey, Mayor from 1951-1955, started the first range on the eastern hill of Rankin Lake Park. Later the range was moved to the west side of Rankin Lake, on the opposite side of the lake from the park. For a number of years the range was operated by the Gastonia Police Department. Several years ago, the Parks and Recreation Department took over the operation.
The facility has three range units: one skeet, one trap, and one combination range.
Driving Directions
From I-85 North or I-85 South, Exit 17 & turn left onto Hwy. 321N (Chester St.); proceed approximately .3 mi. to intersection of Tulip Drive (stoplight); turn left and continue .7 miles; turn right onto Bob & Pat Boyd Drive; range is at the end of this gravel drive.
Hours of Operation
Monday 12PM – 8 PM
Tuesday 12 PM– 8 PM
Wednesday 12 PM– 8 PM
Thursday 12 PM– 8 PM
Friday 12PM – 7 PM
Saturday 10AM – 6PM
Sunday 12 PM– 6 PM
We reserve the right to cease operations
due to inclement weather.
The Range will be closed the following dates in order to hold registered shoots:
2009 Registered Skeet Shoots
Spring Open—March 28
Gaston Young Guns—May 9
Firecracker Open—July 11
Bulldog Open—August 22
Bob & Pat Boyd Memorial—
September 26
2009 Registered Trap Shoots
Chiller Open—February 21
Spring Challenge—March 21
Fall Fest—October 17
Last Call—November 28
Fees
One Round (25 Targets):
$3.75-City of Gastonia resident
$4.25-non-City of Gastonia resident
Shooters must supply their own gun and ammunition.
A limited variety of shells are available for purchase.
Rules and Policies
1. All shooters must report to the range
office and sign in prior to taking the
field.
2. To receive the discounted inside City
of Gastonia resident rate identification
must be shown. (driver’s license,
utility bill, etc.)
3. No round will begin later than thirty
(30) minutes before published closing
time.
4. Proper eye and ear protection must
be worn while on the field.
5. All guns must have actions open until
shooter is on the station and
ready to shoot.
6. Shooters fifteen (15) and under must
be accompanied by an adult twentyone
(21) or over to take the field.
7. No parking along fences or beside
fields.
8. No profanity.
9. No alcoholic beverages allowed on
City property.
10. No smoking inside office/clubhouse.
11. All pets must be kept on a leash. No
pets allowed in the clubhouse.
Field Safety Rules
Safe operation of this shooting range requires strict adherence to the following rules:
1. All persons taking the field MUST
wear proper eye and ear protection.
2. Shooters fifteen (15) or younger must
be accompanied on the field by an
adult twenty-one (21) or older at all
times.
3. The action of the gun is to remain
open while at the facility except when
it is your turn to shoot.
4. Your gun MUST NOT be loaded until
you are in the shooting position.
5. Your gun MUST be pointed down
range while loading.
6. Load no more than two (2) shells at
skeet stations 1 through 7 or trap
doubles. Load no more than one (1)
shell at skeet station 8 or trap singles.
7. In case of gun or ammunition malfunction,
the gun MUST be pointed
down range until cleared.
8. NO empty hulls are to be picked up
during skeet or trap round.
9. Do not walk in front of the low house
or trap house while the release
mechanism is in the hands of the
puller.
10. No one is permitted in skeet or trap
houses without permission of the
Range Attendant.
11. No ammunition heavier than 3 drams
of powder and number 7 ½ shot is
permitted.
12. No alcoholic beverages allowed on
City property.
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