Douglas Ridge Rifle Club Dues!

JCJ · 05-14-2008, 06:24 PM

Anybody on here get their new dues statement yet?Seems they are putting in a Defense fund assessment of 100 dollars to offset their legal fees in the lawsuit they are going through.Pretty much doubling their current dues.Anybody have the pricing for Tri-County in Sherwood.

bo4elk · 05-14-2008, 06:47 PM

Tri County dues are $120, but there is a one time $175 initiation fee. Its a complete bargain in my opinion.

Got One! · 05-14-2008, 07:03 PM

4 corners in Salem is $180 a year (which I think they just dropped it from $250 but I could be wrong) +Plus $100 intitiation fee +25 gate fee

No can do unfortunately. That leaves BLM for me. Fortunately I have metal targets, and a trap machine.

Hunt-man · 05-14-2008, 07:55 PM

Just got my bill today. That was a shocker. I haven't been out there in 3-4 years but I've been a member for 14.42 years. I'm thinking about not renewing. Who is the puke that is suing them anyway.

What a ____________!

SImudBogger · 05-14-2008, 08:05 PM

Im not a member anywhere, but if i was i think it would be hard to beat tri county. I've been out there a few times with billC and it is one nice facility. They have a range for everything

bignate · 05-14-2008, 08:24 PM

Wow thats alot of $$$. I pay $45 a year for the one out side of La Grande. Walking 22, 6 lane pistol, 300 yrd rifle, and 100yrd rifle/shotgun. Man this makes it seem like a great deal in la grande.

Sorry about the $$ guys, that sucks.

nate

CombinationLicense · 05-14-2008, 08:31 PM

I'm a relatively new member out at DRRC and got my renewal letter today. I know a little about the lawsuit situation and it's not the clubs fault that some idiot decided to try to put them out of business. I'm not on their board or anything like that but have asked questions from some who are. In my experience, DRRC is a family friendly quality club that serves many different disciplines of the shooting sports. They are in need of our help and losing an established facility in that area would be a real tragedy. The $100 defense fund assessment is a tough pill to swallow but when you pro rate it over the year it's only $8 a month - the cost of a six pack of decent beer. I don't like flipping out an extra C-note either but isn't keeping a good club open where families can learn to shoot worth $8 a month?

"CL"

JCJ · 05-14-2008, 11:00 PM

When I lived in Pendleton I belonged to the club in LaGrande too but through the muzzle loading segment part of it.Just seems to me that they should have some kind on insurance in place for this,like we do if somebody tries to sue us through an auto accident.I have been a member for 7 years now and no matter how you figure it double the dues is double the dues.Last time I heard they had about a 1000 members,lets see at 100 a pop thats a lot of defense fund.The letter said the NRA was going to give them 10,000 with more committed in the future.Not really sure what caused the fray but someone put the EPA and some more agencies on them for supposedly wrong disposal and contamination of the ground water!Again it breaks down to not much a month but when you gotta send them a check for 200 bucks and pay all the rest of the skyrocketing bills when you use the club ,maybe 1 time a year, makes for expensive shooting.Like I said just seems like there should of been some insurance policy in place for something like this.

JCJ · 05-14-2008, 11:09 PM

Is there any kind of hidden fees associated with Tri-county,like work party fees or building assessment fees or anything weird like that.Douglas would charge extra for work assessment and building assessment fees for the first 5 years or something like that.

Don Becker · 05-14-2008, 11:14 PM

I'm betting that the bylaws and/or your membership agreement allows the assessment (terms you would have agreed to when you joined). I'm also betting there is liability insurance that has a high self-insured retention (deductible) that has to be covered.

Don

s20055 · 05-15-2008, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCJ

Not really sure what caused the fray but someone put the EPA and some more agencies on them for supposedly wrong disposal and contamination of the ground water!

I understand that over the years there was never a plan to control the amounts of lead that built up in the soil. OK, back in the day who would have thought that might be an issue. However, when soil samples were taken and the concentrations were found to be too high, nothing was done. Factor in groundwater contamination and the fact that a lot of people in the area drink well water. Now, they are looking at a pretty serious cleanup project I think. This is not something that can be swept under the carpet, nor will it go away.

Don Becker · 05-15-2008, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s20055

I understand that over the years there was never a plan to control the amounts of lead that built up in the soil. OK, back in the day who would have thought that might be an issue. However, when soil samples were taken and the concentrations were found to be too high, nothing was done. Factor in groundwater contamination and the fact that a lot of people in the area drink well water. Now, they are looking at a pretty serious cleanup project I think. This is not something that can be swept under the carpet, nor will it go away.

If that is the case, 'another reason for the assessment - - - environmental exclusions in the liability policy . . . .

Don

adobe wall · 05-15-2008, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCJ

Is there any kind of hidden fees associated with Tri-county,like work party fees or building assessment fees or anything weird like that.Douglas would charge extra for work assessment and building assessment fees for the first 5 years or something like that.

No. You can receive some dollars off your TriCounty dues by working at the club but there are no additional fees.

Shame about Douglas Ridge. That's a nice facility. I've shot there a few times- 1000 yard ranges aren't that common and we should do what we can to keep the place open. I'll send the club a legal defense donation- thanks for the heads up.

regards, aw

lucky2 · 05-15-2008, 05:37 AM

I am a fairly new (3 years) member of Douglas Ridge. It is a great place to shoot and have fellowship with other shooters and gun enthusiasts. Unfortunately, because of one disgruntled member, we now have to defend ourselves against several frivolous legal actions. I understand that recently, many of these actions/complaints were dismissed out of hand. I think the EPA complaint is still pending.

IMHO
It is an unfortunate situation, but DRRC is a wonderful family friendly place that is well worth protecting for future generations.

AnnaDraMoss · 05-15-2008, 07:05 AM

I was a member for just a short while. A couple years.
Really wish I had'nt let my membership expire.
The few times my family and I used their facility we really enjoyed ourselves.
Well kept grounds, friendly people, lot's of activities....
This piece of property is too valuable to lose, especially for future generations.

I will send DRRC a defense donation as well.

CombinationLicense · 05-15-2008, 09:22 AM

I know for a fact that there were no citations issued regarding the lead issue at DRRC. I was also told by club leadership last week that the shotgun range is temporarily closed for a VOLUNTARY assessment recommended by legal counsel. They expect to have it back open soon and I have not yet heard what the abatement plan recommendation is. If there is a shot field issue, I doubt it'll be too expensive to clean up. At Portland Gun Club they have a guy bring in a giant machine that scoops up the topsoil and filters out the lead shot before returning the topsoil. He takes all the lead for re-manufacture and keeps half the finished product and he gives the club back half.

As for the work assessment, it's $150 if you don't spend 8 hours sometime during the year working on a club function or improvement. I volunteer at the youth day every year and easily fulfill that obligation. They also schedule frequent work parties to make it easy for club members to get their 8 hours in - it's about improving the club more than making money.

Realistically, is a "one time" C-note worth losing a safe, friendly and legal place to shoot? For me, the answer is "NO" since I can shoot there on almost any day and on weekday's the place is mostly deserted. I can take the kids for one-on-one instruction or bring a friend for a $5 "guest" fee. That sure makes it easy for our hunting party's pre-season tune-ups

It's probably a good time to mention that if you want any information about Oregon shooting ranges, the people to contact are:

Oregon Association of Shooting Ranges - George Pitts

Oregon State Shooting Association - Tim Pitzer

These guys will give you the straight scoop without the added BS

"CL"

scottishsetter · 05-15-2008, 09:50 AM

Thanks 'CL' for your post.

We need more ranges not less.

Ifishsum · 05-15-2008, 07:13 PM

They sent out letters to the membership last fall soliciting donations for the legal defense fund, and only got about 8% member response so they voted to levy the one time fee this renewal cycle in order to prevent cutting too far into their reserve funds.

The general meetings are open to all members. I figure since I don't usually go to the meetings and vote on these issues, I don't have much right to argue the extra fee. It hurts, but I'll pay it because I want to keep the club solvent.

an excerpt from the letter:

"A former member sued DRRC alleging that DRRC was violating federal and Oregon water quality and hazardous waste laws. DRRC is vigorously defending the suit.

The attorney for the former member also filed a complaint with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ). On August 31, ODEQ sent two inspectors to inspect DRRC's property. One inspector concluded that there were NO violations of the hazardous waste laws. The second inspector concluded she did not have enough information to determine whether water quality was affected. She offered DRRC the option on investigating its property independently or under the oversight of ODEQ."

s20055 · 05-15-2008, 08:27 PM

I've been on the fence about joining for some time...keep putting it off. Between both CombinationLicense and Ifishsum though, I've decided that a membership is going to be in the near future. I've shot there a couple of times as a guest and it is a very nice facility; one that we should protect. Thanks for your posts.

DAB · 05-15-2008, 09:18 PM

I have been a member of DRRC for 25 years

and I gladly paid the extra $100.

I knew it was coming, so was not a surprise when I got my renewal statement.
I thank all who are not members that are helping with a donation to the defense fund.

DAB

smalldog · 05-16-2008, 12:42 PM

I was a member for a year, I just didnt shoot enough to make it worth continuing.

simpleguy · 05-19-2008, 03:32 PM

I have been a member for some time now and from all the literature we have been provided, both by those on the offensive and us the members, it is a sad situation. It appears to have come from pee-ing match between the board and the former .50cal director about environmental issues/concerns. The ultimate result was his ejection from the club and lawsuits brought forth.

Please don't think me against the environment because the club(as all clubs do) does everything in it's power to enhance the club's property and habit. Also we strive obey all applicable laws and standards with respect to hazardous substances.

Saddly I have seen a few posts on this thread saying things like "they" and "their range". Folks this is a non-profit member owned/operated range. It's quite a nice facility that I honestly don't go to enough. It's not "their range", it's our range. If we all do nothing this reckless and frivoulous lawsuit goes down in history as a win and makes him right and all the members wrong.

I am one of the 8% who gladly gave the requested $100 to the legal defense fund and will gladly give another $100 with my renewal. I am tired of whiners with a lawyer running the good folks of this country with scare tactics and lawsuits.

What we really need is for folks to join. Vote your sport so to speak, stand up and be counted. Your numbers will say "I believe" in what Douglas Ridge and other good clubs stand for and we will not be pushed around.

Thanks for listening to me on my soapbox.
Scotty

DAB · 05-19-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simpleguy

I have been a member for some time now and from all the literature we have been provided, both by those on the offensive and us the members, it is a sad situation. It appears to have come from pee-ing match between the board and the former .50cal director about environmental issues/concerns. The ultimate result was his ejection from the club and lawsuits brought forth.

Please don't think me against the environment because the club(as all clubs do) does everything in it's power to enhance the club's property and habit. Also we strive obey all applicable laws and standards with respect to hazardous substances.

Saddly I have seen a few posts on this thread saying things like "they" and "their range". Folks this is a non-profit member owned/operated range. It's quite a nice facility that I honestly don't go to enough. It's not "their range", it's our range. If we all do nothing this reckless and frivoulous lawsuit goes down in history as a win and makes him right and all the members wrong.

I am one of the 8% who gladly gave the requested $100 to the legal defense fund and will gladly give another $100 with my renewal. I am tired of whiners with a lawyer running the good folks of this country with scare tactics and lawsuits.

What we really need is for folks to join. Vote your sport so to speak, stand up and be counted. Your numbers will say "I believe" in what Douglas Ridge and other good clubs stand for and we will not be pushed around.

Thanks for listening to me on my soapbox.
Scotty

scottishsetter · 05-19-2008, 05:23 PM

I'm not the whining kind. I lapsed the DRR membership because for me leaving the firing line getting in my truck; driving out to the road; going up to the 200yrd line; posting my target; then returning;;; was not MY idea of safe. Trusting a closed range ...FLAG... Hey I don't trust people everyday. Let alone becoming a target at 200 yrds by someone that might not see 200 yrds. ????? I wish I could have walked directly out to 200 yrds and posted a target in view of the firing line the entire time with a closed range flag out front instead of depending on that flag on the parking area, while I'm on the road/downrange...........? My $.02 and note the range...esp. the 22LR range is tops and very safe.They have alot to offer and the $$$ was NOT a Problem.

DGindlesperger · 07-03-2008, 09:24 AM

Paid the Dues, hated the fact that because of one person we all suffer. If anyone can make it I run the Pistol Silhouette shoot the first Sunday of every month. Non-Members are invited as well, just PM me for the time and Gate info.

PendletonCowboy · 05-05-2010, 08:59 AM

I realize this is an old thread but I am currently looking into joining a gun club. I have read that the $100.00 defense fund was a "one time only" fee however on the current membership form it is still listed.

"Dedicated funds held in a special account and used solely for direct or indirect expenses related to the defense of our club. Paid by all members at renewal (09/10) and prorated for new applicants."

I am with others regarding helping out the cause but this doesn't seem to be a true "one time only" expense.

If your join date is in:July/Sept Oct/Dec Jan/Mar Apr/June
Initiation Fee $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00
Yearly Dues $100.00 $75.00 $50.00 $25.00
DefenseFund $100.00 $75.00 $50.00 $25.00
Building Assmnt $25.00 $25.00 $25.00 $25.00
HID Card Deposit $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00
Minimum Due $330.00 $280.00 $230.00 $180.00
(Your total could be more. See below)

For me thats a big chunk of money to join! Assuming I put at least 8 hrs of work in I can get past the extra $150.00. But if the defense fund stays that is $230.00 out of my pocket every year! Ouch!!

Does anyone have new info on the Defense Fund, is it here to stay?

Thanks

JWKeller · 05-05-2010, 09:35 AM

The Defense Fund was not assessed for the new dues that start July 1st. The club did increase annual dues from $100 to $150. Yes, the initial costs to join are steep, but once you are a member and contribute your work hours, the cost is about $12 a month.

DGindlesperger · 05-05-2010, 07:34 PM

I quit after the second year of the 100.00 fee was announced. It is a 45 minute drive for me and I still made time to get involved. I could see the fee once, but twice was not needed. The club had enough cash to stay good and they were about done with expenses.

DAB · 05-05-2010, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGindlesperger

I quit after the second year of the 100.00 fee was announced. It is a 45 minute drive for me and I still made time to get involved. I could see the fee once, but twice was not needed. The club had enough cash to stay good and they were about done with expenses.

If you were involved you would know what DRRC is up against to this very day. DRRC has won a few court battles but there are still ones to be fought which cost more than you might expect.

DAB

PS I have to say I was wrong in my last post of how long I have been a member of DRRC , I originally said 25 years but by the dues statement I just got I have been a member for 27.75 years.

Dues did go up but I gladly paid them.

The more you use the range the cheaper it is per use. I would still be a member if the dues were tripled just so I knew I had a great place to shoot and a safe place to boot.

DGindlesperger · 05-06-2010, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAB

The more you use the range the cheaper it is per use. I would still be a member if the dues were tripled just so I knew I had a great place to shoot and a safe place to boot.

It is a great place to shoot and met some outstanding folks. If I lived closer I might have hung it out. The fact that they had to release a list of members because of the law suit really erked me. I know they had no choice but still got under my skin a little.

Twodogs · 05-06-2010, 05:43 PM

With match's on the week ends and the shotgun range closed i end up paying due's so i can go up in the woods to shoot.