By Christine Patton
Family Fun at the Rod & Gun Range
When I was growing up outside of Philadelphia, November signaled the beginning of the season for bird hunting, and time to refresh or hone those skills at the trap range. It was a regular Sunday outing for my whole family, and when I was too young to shoot, I still remember collecting spent shells with their odd, cordite smell, and when I was older, being introduced to safe gun practices with a 410 that I still use today for dove shooting.
Ocean Reef is lucky to have one of the most extensive shooting facilities in south Florida — the only sporting clays range south of Vero! — and our range will be open over Thanksgiving for all levels of family activity. As Carmen Sferrazza, Rod & Gun Club Board member and Range Chairman, reported this week, the refurbishment of the Range has been completed, with new landscaping and bathroom facilities and reconditioned traps, new targets and ammo. The only thing missing is a snack bar.
The range will be open November 22, 24 and 26, 10 a.m. ‘til 3 p.m., for supervised skeet, trap and 5-stand sporting clays, plus air rifle and archery ranges. Members can bring their own or choose from a variety of guns including the popular pellet gun, and fresh ammunition and targets, to borrow for a charge. All safety equipment is available in addition to loaner guns. The range master, Corey Carr, is on premises at all times to provide assistance — no reservations required.
The Rod & Gun Club is a 25-year-old institution with over 600 members. Its activities support environmental and fishery work throughout the Keys and Florida marine. Rod and Gun holds an annual social function, hosts seminars, sponsors fishing events and manages and maintains the gun range. Membership is open to all Ocean Reef Members.
How To Get To The Range
The Range is on Card Sound Road, on the right going north to Florida City, 6.7 miles north of Alabama Jacks.
A more accurate method is to go on your mobile phone to the Rod & Gun website (RodandGun.org), no login required, and click on “Shooting Range” located on the menu. Then see at the top of the page, “(click HERE for directions)”. Google Maps will then take you directly from ORC to the Range.