Oakdale Gun Club Membership

[westberg]

Does anyone have any feedback about the Hudson Rod, Gun, and Archery Club, Forest Lake Sportsmens Club or the Bald Eagle Sportsmans Association? I guess I'm leaning on a place on the Eastern or NorthEastern side of the Metro.

And can anyone explain why the Forest Lake Sportsmans Clubs one-time fee to join is $526? What benefit do you get above other places for this additional price?

The $500 is for a share, the members are Shareholders in the club. The $26.00 is administrative. It is $175.00 per year unless you work 16 hours at the Club then it's $75.00 per year. The dues are paying for the past year, you can sell your share back to the club if you quit, minus whats prorated for the past years dues. There is openings.

[photogpat]

Oakdale took in some people who'd had their name on for only a year this time around. Just an FYI, my brother-in-law had registered in March of last year -- and got his registration email this spring.

He's happy as a clam!

[plblark]

That generally happens in years where OGC expands their membership cap. IIRC, they're trying to grow gradually. The arguments are:
a) The world is political. Our rights and hobby are affected by politics. The more people you have active, safe, and enjoying the sport and gun ownership, the better. In politics, people is power.
b) If you grow too fast your club loses its culture. OGC has a culture of safety and responsibility they'd like to maintain.
c) How much range load can the club maintain? They don't want to grow so big that members can't enjoy their club because they can't shoot.

So, every couple years they take a look at the numbers a few months before annual meeting time and look back at the year, range load, etc, and decide what to recommend to the members at the annual meeting where the members vote on it.

Last year they grew AND it was still tough economic times. figure you lose memberships in a normal year due to finances, illness, age, career, kids, etc... , Added to that, in this economy you probably have to go through a lot of people on the waiting list to get 250 people who are in the right place and time to accept a membership. Bingo, you've gone through a pretty big waiting list pretty quickly.

If I had to guess, I'd guess it will be a couple years before the waiting list shrinks at that pace again.

[hans1499]

Oakdale took in some people who'd had their name on for only a year this time around. Just an FYI, my brother-in-law had registered in March of last year -- and got his registration email this spring.

He's happy as a clam!

Oakdale now has a notice on their website as follows;

"Currently Oakdale Gun Club has 1500 Members. When some one leaves the club or there is a vote to increase the membership we invite people to attend a new member orientation. To receive that invite you must be on our waiting list which is about a 2-3 year wait..... Currently we are not taking any additional people on our waiting list. With the changes to our new website we will be putting up sign ups later this year."

[hoel6466]

Cool, I was wondering why I never received a response.

[ammosponge]

i'd been on the wait list for 3 years.... got my invitation yesterday. so it all depends.

[promod1385]

I have been on the list about a year, also got my invitation yesterday. Plan on going to the orientation Tuesday the 19th!

I am stoked about finally having a place to shoot outdoors! I recall there being a "members only" 15yd range. Is that still the case? I dont see it on the map.

[bstrawse]

I have been on the list about a year, also got my invitation yesterday. Plan on going to the orientation Tuesday the 19th!

I am stoked about finally having a place to shoot outdoors! I recall there being a "members only" 15yd range. Is that still the case? I dont see it on the map.

Yes, it's still there....

Welcome!
B

[jgalt]

I am stoked about finally having a place to shoot outdoors! I recall there being a "members only" 15yd range. Is that still the case? I dont see it on the map.

It is 7-10 yards, fyi...

[Niemer]

Any idea on when the waiting list will open back up?

https://www.oakdalegunclub.org/site-page/membership

[OldmanFCSA]

I have been on the list about a year, also got my invitation yesterday. Plan on going to the orientation Tuesday the 19th!

Thanks for posting here everyone - I've been very lax about checking my e-mail.

See you on the 19th at 6PM.

[promod1385]

I am stoked about finally having a place to shoot outdoors! I recall there being a "members only" 15yd range. Is that still the case? I dont see it on the map.

It is 7-10 yards, fyi...

Sounds good to me! I am just excited to be able to practice with my holster and move/shoot in practice!

[Stradawhovious]

Sounds good to me! I am just excited to be able to practice with my holster and move/shoot in practice!

There are long time members there that will make a stink about you doing hoster work, and shooting on the move, so be aware of that. I've had a few discussions with some of the old timers regarding holster work and steel targets. Some of them can be quite vocal, do a lot of finger pointing and have a tendency to be very rude. Also, the short range is not set up for movement practice. If I practice movement, it is on the 25 yard bay, and only if I'm the only one there.

It's my understanding that the only time holster work is strictly forbiddden is during public hours for a whole host of obvious reasons.

[RJWesleyIII]

I had a membership there for a couple years, and I got so busy I didn't shoot one year and didn't put in my time. Couldn't afford the fees at the time so I lost my membership. Worst day of my life! I really miss that place. I go with a buddy once in a while, but I wish I could get back in. I can't stand shooting at indoor ranges.

[hans1499]

Oakdale took in some people who'd had their name on for only a year this time around. Just an FYI, my brother-in-law had registered in March of last year -- and got his registration email this spring.

He's happy as a clam!

Oakdale now has a notice on their website as follows;

"Currently Oakdale Gun Club has 1500 Members. When some one leaves the club or there is a vote to increase the membership we invite people to attend a new member orientation. To receive that invite you must be on our waiting list which is about a 2-3 year wait..... Currently we are not taking any additional people on our waiting list. With the changes to our new website we will be putting up sign ups later this year."

FYI, in case anyone was interested, you can now join the waiting list via their website.