| Our Rifle and Range Policies cover the following topics: |
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| VIBC Range Use Policy |
| Range Use Requisites for VIBC Members |
| Range Use Requisites for Cadet Members |
| Range Use Pass |
| Range Availability |
| Notification of Range Use Outside of Registered Program Hours |
| Notification of Range Use During Registered Program Hours |
| Ammunition |
| Rifles |
Want to get your Possession and Acquisition License (PAL) so that you can purchase a biathlon rifle?
| Rifle Rentals | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bears / Masters | 10 week program | $50 |
| Competitive Youth / Masters | Annual use | $100 |
VIBC is fortunate to have a number of rifles available for rent for program participants.
The rental fee is to be paid at the time of program registration to ensure a rifle assignment.
At the start of the registered program, a VIBC coach will assign a rifle to each participant based on best fit and function.
Rifles are likely to be shared between the morning Masters program participants and afternoon Bears participants.
Program participants will be expected to treat the club rifle as if it were their own, with upmost care to protect it from damage or excessive humidity. They will be taught how to clean their rifles following the training session, and are asked to report any maintenance concerns to their coach.
VIBC rifles must stay at the VIBC range at all times, except with special permission from the club president for race competition.
| Rifle Purchase |
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If you or your child plans to continue with biathlon for a few years, we encourage you to consider purchasing your own biathlon rifle. Your own rifle can be custom fit to you, thus improving your comfort and accuracy with shooting.
These are highly specialized rifles, designed specifically for biathlon. The rifles are .22 caliber and must weigh at least 3.5 kg with a minimum trigger pull of 500g. Ammunition used must be LR rim fire bullets of standard velocity, also referred to as sub-sonic ammunition. The rifles used by most competing biathletes in the province are either Anschutz or Izhmash. The Anshutz is generally considered to be the superior rifle but it is much more expensive. An Izhmash may be found at ~$2500 and Anschutz at ~$5000 fully outfitted. However, as new Izhmashs’ are not currently available for purchase, they too are becoming more expensive. The good news is that used biathlon rifles sell very quickly and at a very good price, so it is a good investment. You will need a PAL to purchase a rifle.
| VIBC Range Use Policy |
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The Vancouver Island Biathlon Club range at Mount Washington Pacific ULC (Pacific Group Resorts Inc.) is available to approved club members outside of registered programming for shooting practice in consideration of the rules and conditions listed below.
| Range Use Requisites |
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Anyone wishing to use the range outside of registered programming must have:
- A Possession and Acquisition License (PAL)
- A membership with Biathlon Canada
- Purchased an Annual Range Use Pass on the zone4 registration or a Day Use Membership (see below)
- VIBC members may bring family members, but are required to complete the same procedures as guests.
Anyone who meets the above criteria and wishes to bring a guest with them to the range for shooting, must ensure that the guest obtain a day membership with VIBC and Biathlon Canada. Day membership forms for VIBC are located on the bulletin board in the VIBC hut. The day membership fee is to be placed inside the lock box in the kitchen, along with the registration form. It is mandatory that all persons using the range are VIBC and Biathlon Canada members for liability and insurance purposes.
| Range Use Requisites for Cadet Members |
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Cadets wishing to use the range for Cadet programming, or outside of Cadet programming must have:
- A Possession and Acquisition License (PAL), or minor’s license, and/or be in the presence of a Squadron Leader who has their PAL.
- A membership with Vancouver Island Biathlon Club, and
- A membership with Biathlon Canada, and
- Purchased an Annual Range Use Pass on the zone4 registration
| Range Use Pass |
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The Annual Range Pass is $50 for all members, including Cadets who are not registered in any VIBC program.
Annual Range Pass holders are expected to provide significant contributions to the club, including range maintenance, facility upgrades, volunteering at events/races, and coaching.
Registration for an annual pass is done on Zone 4 and can be done at the time of your VIBC membership registration.
The Member Guest Day Range Use Fee is $15, or $20 if they wish to rent a rifle for the day use. This fee includes the BiCan/BiBC membership.
Holders of the Annual Range Use Pass are subject to VIBC Board approval as they must have demonstrated a sound knowledge of range and rifle safety, and procedures at the VIBC range.
This pass will enable you to use the range only when a designated Range Safety Officer is present, and/or train independently during times of regular programming.
If you do not own your own rifle, you must also obtain an Annual Rifle Rental.
Children and Youth may obtain an Annual Range Pass, but must be supervised by an adult with a PAL (i.e. parent, guardian, or coach).
- Note: for Bears, Rec Youth, and Masters program participants that will not be using the range outside of lessons/programs, you do not require an Annual Range Pass.
| Range Availability |
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The range is generally available for year round shooting during daylight hours only.
The range is often closed on Saturdays during the summer when there are activities taking place at Raven Lodge (i.e. weddings).
There are limitations in late spring and fall for range use due to wet weather conditions – please consider the mats.
The range may be closed during the summer season due to fire hazards.
| Notification of Range Use Outside of Registered Program Hours |
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If you plan to use the range outside of registered program hours, you must first email vibiathlonclub@gmail.com to advise the club president of your plans, who will then in turn notify the Mount Washington Patrol Director (Jesse Percival), and/or the manager of the Vancouver Island Mountain Centre. One days’ notice would be preferred so there is sufficient time to ensure notification, and learn of potential closure of the range.
In your email, please indicate whether or not you need to access a rifle or purchase ammunition for your shooting practice.
Copies of the MWAR Waiver form are available on the bulletin board in the biathlon hut. Please leave the completed form in the brown envelope.
Upon arrival at the VIBC hut, sign in on the log book. If you do not have a key for the VIBC hut, the manager at VIMC may be able to loan you a key.
| Notification of Range Use During Registered Program Hours |
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If you plan to use the range during registered program hours, you must first check in with the lead coach of the session to ensure you will not be interfering with the training session. The coach will then direct you to the appropriate lane(s) to shoot.
You are responsible for the equipment in the lane you are using. This includes the mat, rest, controller and shell casings. Please clean up after yourself and ask the coach when you are done shooting if you are to put away the mat and controller, or leave it for others who will shoot later.
If you are still shooting at the time when a registered program session ends, consult with the lead coach regarding the clean-up of the range. The other participants will need to access the targets for painting/covering, so the range will close during this time. Once the participants have completed their range clean-up duties, at the direction of the coach, you may resume your shooting session. You then will be responsible for the final clean-up of the range, including bringing in all the flags, signs and firing line. In addition covers may need to be placed over the metal target boxes.
| Ammunition |
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Ammunition must be .22 standard velocity, less than 360m/sec.
Ammunition is available for purchase from the club for $7.50/box, or current market price.
To access the ammunition case, you will need to contact vibiathlonclub@gmail.com for instructions.
| Rifles |
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Only .22 caliber rifles may be fired at the VIBC targets – both metal and paper.
If you do not have your own rifle and wish to use a club rifle, they are available for a rental fee of $5 per session.
To access the rifle case, you will need to contact vibiathlonclub@gmail.com for instructions.
UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE RANGE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. PLEASE REPORT ANY CONCERNS TO VIBC AND TO MT.WASHINGTON PATROL DIRECTOR, OR IF URGENTLY NECESSARY, THE RCMP.