Frequently Asked Questions

Full Membership
Associate Membership
Facility Information
Safety Information

Q: Do I need to possess a PAL/RPAL to become a Full member?
A: No; you do not require a PAL/RPAL for membership (unless you are an ET sponsorship).

Q: Do I need a sponsor to become a full member of the KGAC?
A: Yes; you require a sponsor who is an existing member in good standing, of at least (2) years.

Q: I don't know anyone who is a club member, but I still want to become a Full member. What do I do?
A: You can either purchase an Associate membership to get to know club members (and find someone to sponsor you), or email us to inquire about our ET sponsorship option (Contact Us).

Q: What is ET sponsorship?
A: An alternative to being sponsored by a member, the Executive Team would sponsor you. This requires a questionnaire, interview, references, and a Lease walkthrough. You must also possess a PAL/RPAL. Email us for further information (Contact Us).

Q: Do you have a wait list for membership?
A: No; we do not have a wait list for new members, but we only induct new members four times a year (MAR, JUN, OCT, DEC).

Q: Do I need to be voted in to the club?
A: Yes; you will need to be voted in by the membership, at one of the induction meetings. Both you and your sponsor must be in attendance at the induction meeting.

Q: Do I get my member badge as soon as I'm voted in at the meeting?
A: No; you are required to complete a Lease Range Safety Orientation before you will receive your member badge. These take place four times a year (MAR, JUN, OCT, DEC), on the weekend following the induction meeting. If you cannot attend the Orientation following the meeting, you must wait until the next Orientation to receive your badge. You will only be able to attend the Lease as a Guest (with visitor fee) until you receive your member badge.

Q: Do I get a key to the Lease as soon as I become a Full member?
A: No; only KGAC certified RSOs are given a key to the Lease, allowing them to access the Lease anytime during operating hours. KGAC RSOs are identified by the "RSO" on their member badge.

Q: How do I become an RSO?
A: Check out our Courses page for details on the RSO course. The requirements for becoming an RSO are: possess an RPAL, possess a Holster qualification, pass the RSO course.

Q: I don't have a handgun. How can I get a Holster qualification?
A: For members who have (or will get) an RPAL but do not possess a handgun, we will help get you in contact with a member who is willing to allow you to use their firearm for the duration of the course. We have members who are willing to allow others to use their firearms to take our Holster & RSO courses. Holster qualified members are identified by the "H" on their member badge. The KGAC encourages members to become Holster qualified, as the safest firearm is a holstered firearm.

Q: What do I do if I'm not an RSO, but want to shoot?
A: The KGAC runs a Duty RSO program from APR-SEP, where an RSO volunteers to be present from 0900L-1500L on SAT & SUN, permitting non-RSO and Associate members to shoot on MPR 1 & 2. DRSOs are identified by their yellow RSO hat or yellow RSO jacket (or both). Alternatively you may also arrange to come when an RSO will be present, and can supervise your range. Outside of the DRSO weekends, you can either arrange with an RSO to supervise, or just head down to the Lease to see if there is one present. There are no guarantees however, that there will be an RSO present, or that an RSO who is present will agree to supervise.

Q: Do I need to possess a PAL/RPAL to become an Associate member?
A: No; you do not require a PAL/RPAL for membership.

Q: Do I need a sponsor for an Associate membership?
A: No; you do not require a sponsor to become an Associate Member.

Q: Do I get my member badge as soon as I purchase my Associate membership?
A: No; you are still required to complete a Lease Range Safety Orientation before you will receive your member badge. These take place four times a year (MAR, JUN, OCT, DEC), on the weekend following the induction meeting.

Q: As an Associate member, can I get a Holster qualification?
A: Yes; if you have an accepted Holster credential (IPSC Black Badge, law enforcement, military combat arms) you will be grandfathered and receive a Holster qual on your member badge. You may also attend the KGAC Holster Course, and become qualified that way.

Q: As an Associate member, can I become an RSO?
A: No; unfortunately only Full members can be granted RSO certification. An Associate can, however, take the KGAC RSO Course, and upon upgrading to a Full membership, will receive the RSO qual on their member badge, and a key to the Lease.

Q: As an Associate member, can I only attend the Lease during months where a DRSO is scheduled (APR-SEP)?
A: No; you may attend the Lease anytime, however there must be an RSO present that is willing to supervise your range while you are shooting. You can arrange this with an RSO beforehand, or just head down to the Lease to see if there is one present. There are no guarantees however, that there will be an RSO present, or that an RSO who is present will agree to supervise. The visitor fee still applies to each visit you make to the Lease.

Q: As an Associate member, can I attend club meetings?
A: No; club meetings are only open to Full members. Associate members cannot attend meetings, or vote.

Q: How many Ranges do you have on the Lease?
A: We have a total of (9) distinct ranges on our Lease. They consist of: (3) Multi Purpose ranges, (4) Handgun ranges, (1) Trap range, and (1) Archery range.

Q: How long are your ranges?
A: Our Multi Purpose ranges are 100m, 65m, and 45m in length. Our Handgun ranges are from 35m to 50m in length. Our Archery range goes out to 75m.

Q: What is the biggest caliber I can shoot at the KGAC?
A: Our Multi Purpose ranges are templated for centerfire ammunition up to and including .338 Lapua Magnum. Our Handgun ranges are templated for any-and-all commercially available handgun calibers in Canada, including .500 S&W and .50 Action Express. The issued template by the Alberta CFO is .357 Magnum, since a .50 Cal template for Handguns doesn't exist in Alberta. Our Trap range is templated for bird shot up to and including # 7½ shot.

Q: Are you open all year?
A: Yes! The KGAC Lease is operational 365 days / year. We have warming huts with wood burning stoves on several ranges. Our road is plowed and ranges are cleared of snow, so you can shoot in the winter months as well. Our hours of operation change seasonally, so please check the info page to confirm operating hours.

Q: What kind of targets can I shoot at the Lease?

A: Per the Consolidated Range Safety & Operation Rules: "All targets are to be made out of: paper, cardboard, metal gongs, metal silhouettes, wood, self-sealing PVC, self-sealing rubber (Archery), metal flip-over-targets, clay birds; and incendiary targets are NOT allowed."

Q: Can I shoot Tannerite (or any other binary / reactive target)?
A: No; we do not allow binary / reactive / exploding targets on the Lease.

Q: Can I bring my own targets to shoot at the Lease?
A: Only targets approved by the CRSO can be shot at the Lease. If you want to shoot your own target (besides paper), please contact the CRSO for approval.

Q: Can I shoot my black powder firearms at the Lease? Can I shoot my .50 Cal black powder firearm?
A: Yes; we have no restrictions on black powder firearm usage at the KGAC. Yes, you can shoot your .50 Cal black powder firearm. Although we are not templated for .50 BMG, the .50 Cal black powder projectile falls under our handgun and rifle templates, and is permitted on our ranges.

Q: Are there garbage receptacles at the Lease?
A: NO! Because we are located in a wildlife corridor, we have strict rules on waste. Everything you bring onto the Lease you MUST pack out with you. Garbage and food waste cannot be left on the Lease. Fed animals are dead animals.

Q: Are there washrooms at the Lease?
A: Yes; we have porta potties at the Lease. We kindly ask all attendees to use the porta potties, and not "the forest"...

Q: Is there water available at the Lease?
A: No; we do not have any water supply at the Lease. Please bring any liquids you may need with you.

Q: Is there electricity at the Lease?
A: No; the Lease is not connected to the electrical grid. We do have several generators on site for specific purposes, but these are not accessible for member use. You may wish to bring car chargers and/or portable batteries with you if you require them.

Q: Is there cell service at the Lease?
A: Cell reception is spotty at best throughout the Lease. Some ranges have better coverage than others. There is a cell repeater located at the clubhouse; when the clubhouse generator is running, that is your best bet for reliable cell service.

Q: Can I bring my pets to the Lease?
A: Yes; pets are permitted at the Lease. All pets must be under direct supervision/care at all times.

Q: Can I wear body armor at the Lease?
A: Yes body armor is permitted at the KGAC Lease. The province of Alberta has restrictions on who can purchase/own body armor, but one of the exemptions to these restrictions is the possession of a PAL/RPAL.

Q: Can I wear camouflage clothing?
A: Yes! The KGAC is open minded; we do not discriminate regarding clothing choices. Come on out in your Alberta best (or your Canadian tuxedo should you so choose).

Q: What happens when wildlife wanders onto a range?
A: The KGAC Lease is located within a wildlife corridor. For nearly three decades, the KGAC has conducted a wildlife study to document wildlife on and around the Lease (see the KGAC Pledge for more information). Wildlife has the right of way at the KGAC, and as such, whenever wildlife wanders onto a range engaged in live fire (can be a common occurrence), shooters must immediately cease fire, unload, and let the wildlife pass unmolested. You are also required to log the wildlife sighting in the logbook, located at the Lease kiosk, or on the website.

Q: Do I always need to wear my member badge at the Lease?
A: Absolutely. Per the Consolidated Range Safety & Operation Rules: "Anyone found using the Lease without a Club-ID/Membership Card or Visitor- day pass is trespassing and must leave the Lease". Should a member forget their member badge, they have three options: go back home and retrieve it, come back to the Lease another day when they have brought their badge, or sign in as a visitor and pay the visitor fee (you do not require another member to host you as a visitor in this case).

Q: What type of safety equipment is present at the Lease?
A: Safety is paramount at the KGAC. At each range there is a First Aid kit located at the range board. KGAC instructors, Range Discipline Chairs, and many RSOs are Stop The Bleed certified, and also carry their own IFAKs or trauma kits. We have more First Aid supplies and a stretcher located in front of the clubhouse. The club maintains a pediatric safe AED inside the clubhouse. The Lease is a registered STARS site, with a STARS site number (2102). We also have fire extinguishers located at each range board, and further fire fighting equipment located around the Lease.

Q: What are arc markers? What are they for?
A: In safe range design, left-of-arc and right-of-arc markers indicate the furthest left point and the furthest right point on the backstop, between which all projectiles must terminate. This ensures that no projectiles leave the range danger area (RDA) in an unsafe direction. The arc markers at the KGAC Lease are yellow posts with yellow flags on top, at either side of the backstop on each range (the only exception to this is MPR3, where the posts are red).

Q: What are safe tables?
A: At the KGAC Lease (and most other ranges), safe tables are where firearms can be safely uncased/re-cased, and where handguns can be holstered. They can be used when ranges are clear (green flag), and are oriented in a safe direction, to allow mitigation in the case of a negligent discharge (ND). There is a safe table at each range on the KGAC Lease (painted yellow, with signage denoting what they are), and they must be used to uncase/re-case a firearm, or holster a handgun. You can also practice your draw (from a holster) at a safe table, fix issues with you firearm, check your sights, practice changing (empty) magazines, etc. When leaving a firearm on a safe table, the chamber must be open (handgun slide back, revolver cylinder open).

Q: Is ammunition permitted on a safe table?
A: Absolutely not! At no time may you place ammunition (including snap caps) on a safe table. Similarly you cannot have ammunition in your hands while at a safe table.

Q: Are loaded magazines permitted at a safe table? I saw those fancy IPSC guys with loaded magazines on their belts?
A: Yes, it is permissible to have loaded magazines (or loose ammunition) on your person, while standing at a safe table. This means you could have loaded magazines in pouches on your belt, in your pockets, in your vest, or anywhere else on your person. However, you cannot have them in your hands or on the table at any time.

Q: Does the Lease entrance gate stay open all the time?
A: The Lease entrance gate must remain open at all times while the Lease is occupied, during operating hours. This ensures two things: that first responders have access to the property in the case of an emergency, and so that all occupants can safety egress the Lease in the case of an evacuation.

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