Respect the Range Facilities

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The GDRGC range facilities are for all members to use, are maintained by volunteers and are financed through club operations. The use of the range is a privilege which is given with the understanding that this facility will be respected and safety protocols will be followed. We have recently discovered evidence of use that completely breaches the respect that we expect members to have for this facility and the safety protocols that are in place for legislative and personal protective reasons.

The damage that was recently sustained to the posts in the .22 range will require significant expenditures from the Club to repair. These posts are buried in the ground and will require machine time to excavate and replace, and will require the purchase of a new post. Backstop plywood is an easy replacement and is expected as normal wear and tear of the range. Placing targets on the plywood is the expected protocol, shooting out a post until they fall over is irresponsible and disrespectful to the Club and members that regularly treat this facility with respect.

Whirling Disease in our Waters

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Whirling disease is now in our waters. Attention should always be paid to preventing the spread of invasives, but now we need to be extra vigilant to protect our uninfected waters. Whirling disease can be spread by anything going in and out of infected waters, a dog going for a swim, a stand-up paddle board, birds, wildlife, boats, and anglers.

How do we prevent further spread?
Clean, drain, and dry. For example - On a road trip with your dog in the summer and stopping for a cool-down swim? Make sure your dog is free of any mud and dirt and bathe your dog before it enters another waterbody.

Anglers have been targeted as the spreaders of whirling disease, but this is simply not true. Responsible anglers have been following protocols to prevent the spread for years. We need all water users to share the same diligence as anglers to protect our waters. Clean, drain, and dry anything that goes into a waterbody, the future of healthy waters is in all of our hands, not just anglers.

Photo credit: @abinvasives

For more info, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/plants-animals-ecosystems/fish/aquatic-species/aquatic-invasives/whirling-disease

CWD detected in BC

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The B.C. Wildlife Branch reports that cases of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) have been confirmed in two deer in the Kootenay region, south of Cranbrook.

Hunters are encouraged to provide samples for CWD testing after harvesting a deer anywhere in B.C., hunters can submit the head of the animal for testing.

Contact Roy Pagliaro at (250) 344-5737 to make arrangements to drop off your sample at the range.

To learn more, visit the BCWF website here.