A: The cost of a membership depends on whether you’re buying a membership just for yourself or for your family, and whether or not you’d like to include firearms range privileges.

Membership types, prices, and the instructions for purchasing a membership can all be found on the Membership Purchase page.

If you’ve read through the information there and you still have questions, please contact us by email at memberservices@spfga.ca or by phone at 780-467-0085.

A: Memberships can be purchased here:  Buy Membership. Read through the instructions on the page and then click the purchase button at the bottom.

A: Each Fall, the total number of memberships for the next year is set.

Beginning early November, the renewal period opens. Existing current-year members have the opportunity to renew for the next year during this period. In early January, any unsold memberships are made available for sale to the general public. Potential new members may sign up at this point. Lapsed prior members are also able to renew starting in early January as well.

Once the available number of memberships for the year has been sold, membership sales concludes. In any event, if not already closed, membership sales will cease on September 30 and any remaining memberships will go unsold.

A: If you want to continue to be a member, then yes you do.

SPFGA memberships run from January 1 to December 31 each year. The membership of anyone not renewed by midnight on December 31 concludes and their access to club benefits cease. Among other things, this means that their electronic gate access card deactivates and they no longer have access to the property, their insurance terminates, and they cease to receive club communications.

If continuing to be an SPFGA member and receiving these benefits is desired, renewing prior to December 31 each year is required.

To renew, log into your member portal by going to the website & clicking on ‘Log in’ under the ‘Members’ menu.

A: No, you won’t be able to access any secured pages on the website (i.e. ones that you have to sign in to access) including your member portal while outside of Canada.

Trying to access secured areas of the website outside of Canada will result in receiving a version of the above error. This ‘geofencing’ approach is an aspect of our site security, limiting access only to users within Canada. Doing this keeps a good chunk of bot attacks we have to contend with at bay.

Members often bump into this when trying to renew their membership while outside Canada. To prevent this, we suggest one of the following approaches:

• ensure you renew early when renewals open in early November, or
• use a VPN service to connect through a Canadian server.

If you are trying to purchase a membership for the first time, you can either wait until you’ve returned to Canada to purchase the membership or take the VPN route.

A: Sorry but no, we don’t offer tours of the property. It’s something we’ve experimented with in the past and it just isn’t feasible – covering the cost of a person to conduct a tour and their travel to the facility just isn’t sustainable for us and would require charging more for the tour than most are willing to pay.

What we have done however is put full details of all our amenities and ranges on our Facilities page to give you a clear idea of what is available and answer your questions.

A: ‘Family’ in this meaning refers to a head of household who is 18 years of age or older on the day the membership is purchased, plus a spouse or partner and any children under 18.

A: Yes, we define this on the Memberships page.

Family memberships are “for families whose head of household is 18 years of age or older on the day of purchase and includes their spouse/partner and dependent children under 18.” This means that after these dependents turn 18, they are no longer included under your Family membership in subsequent years. If they wish to remain a member, they are able to purchase a membership for themselves.

Each year, we review the membership list to proactively reach out to primary members with dependents who have turned 18 during the current year to remind them of the situation.

In order to make sure that these former dependents have access to the best pricing and are ensured a membership spot, they are able to sign up for a new membership during the renewal period.

A: No. We recognize the complexities of modern families and that many times family members do not reside together. If you are purchasing a Family membership, your kids under 18 are included on your membership, even if they do not reside with you.

A: If you have purchased a Family or Family with Range Privileges membership, to add your spouse/partner and/or children under the age of 18 to your membership:

• log into your account
• go to the Add Family Members tab in your member portal

Note: If you purchased a Regular, Regular with Range Privileges, or Youth membership, this step is of course not applicable.

A: Purchasing your membership is just the first of a number of things you need to do before you’re able to use the property. After purchasing your membership you will need to:

• Read the welcome email sent to the email address you used to set up your membership. Read and keep this email as it contains important information you will require. If this email does not arrive within a few minutes of registering, check your spam folder.
• Complete the online Facility and Safety Orientation.
• If you’ve purchased a family membership, set up your other family members
• Print out your membership card(s). You are also able to purchase a hard plastic card through the link in your member portal.
• Wait for your gate access card to arrive by mail. You will need this to get through the electronic gate. This will take 1-2 weeks to arrive following your completion of the orientation. It is possible to pick your electronic gate access card in person at one of the planned in-person office days on the Events Calendar. Contact us by email at memberservices@spfga.ca to arrange this. Outside of this, we will simply mail you your card.

A: Membership cards are not automatically sent to you. Instead, we’ve set it so you are able to print your membership card yourself from the website. Simply log into your member portal and print your card from there (see image below):

If you do wish to have a plastic membership card however, you can purchase one via your member portal (see image below):

A: Membership cards always print for the current year.

After renewing for next year, you’ll notice that your membership expiry reads December 31 of the following year. However, the date at the top of the card still has the current year displayed. This is intentional and ensures you’re always able to print yourself a current year’s membership card throughout the whole year.

On January 1, this date on membership cards updates. This is why we have you print new membership cards annually at the start of the year.

A: Your membership number can be found on your membership card. These can be self-printed using the link in your member portal.

A: No, range privileges are only required for accessing our firearms ranges. Archery range (open year-round) and 3D Trail (open April to September annually) access is standard to the Regular, Family, and Youth membership types, as well as access to all of the other recreational facilities including the campground.

More detail on our membership types and their entitlements can be found on the Membership Purchase page.

A: No, range privileges are only required for accessing our firearms ranges. Access to the campground is standard to the Regular, Family, and Youth membership types, as well as access to all of the other recreational facilities including the Archery range (open year-round) and 3D Archery Trail (open late April to early October annually).

More detail on our membership types and their entitlements can be found on the Membership Purchase page.

A: No, non-members are not permitted to stay overnight on the property (this is an insurance liability thing).

However, if they simply buy a membership this becomes a totally different question. In fact, we’ve priced our Regular, Family, and Youth memberships inexpensively to cover this very scenario. If you’d like to have your grandkids camp with you, host your aunt & uncle or mom & dad, or just share our wonderful facilities with your-out-of-town guests, just go over to the Membership Purchase page and purchase the membership type your guest(s) need. Considering just the cost of a campsite reservation anywhere in the province, these memberships represent a great value. Plus, they’re valid until December 31 of the year purchased, so they can stay again as often as you like.

A: No, our membership fees are not pro-rated, they are a single price through the year. New membership sales open on January 1 annually and close on October 1.

A: No, our membership fees are not pro-rated, they are a single price through the year. We typically close to renewals for the current year on October 1. Renewals for the subsequent year then reopen in November.

A: Memberships expire on December 31 of the year they were purchased for.

This means that:

• a new membership purchased on the day in January that new membership sales opened,
• a new membership purchased on September 30, the final day of membership sales for the year,
• a new membership purchased between the two dates above,
• a renewal of an existing membership on the very first day that renewals for the next year open,
• a renewal purchased on September 30, the final day of membership sales for the year, and
• a renewal purchased between the two dates above

all expire on December 31 of the year they were purchased for, irrespective of the number of months between the date of purchase and December 31.

So, your membership is not 12 months in duration from the date of purchase. Some people have this idea – lots of things work that way – but in the case of SPFGA memberships this is not the case.

There is better value therefore in renewing or purchasing your membership as early in the year as possible. Also, because we have brought back the membership cap (i.e. we now only accept a limited number of memberships each year), renewing early ensures you are not disappointed.

A: We normally check weekly for new members who have completed the Facility & Safety Orientation and mail out their gate access cards. Typically, you will receive your access card within 1-2 weeks of completing the orientation.

A: No, your existing electronic gate access card is your permanent card and will be reactivated.

SPFGA memberships run from January 1 to December 31 each year. Your access card was disabled in our system when your membership expired on December 31 when you did not renew. Weekly, we check for members who have renewed and reactivate their access cards. Typically, if you have renewed by Wednesday night on any given week, your access card will be active by that Saturday morning.

Due to resource constraints, we cannot process “on demand” requests for access card reactivation, or requests to verify if cards are active. Keeping your membership active by renewing prior to December 31 each year is the best way to ensure uninterrupted access to the property. However, if you are renewing late, please understand in advance that you will not be able to access the property for at least one week after the time that you have renewed.

A: Replacement gate access cards are available for a cost of $25. Contact the office by email at memberservices@spfga.ca to secure a replacement. If outside of office hours (8:30 am-4 pm Monday through Friday), your email will be responded to the next business day.

Replacement cards are typically sent via Canada Post and take 7-10 business days to arrive.

A: We are sorry, but no – we do not provide codes for gate access. Your physical card is required for access. Please double-check before departing for the facility that you’ve got your access card with you.

A: The short answer is: you don’t. You won’t be accessing the property in this instance. Instead, you’ll return home and contact Member Services by email at memberservices@spfga.ca to⁠ explore the situation.

The most common reason by far the gate is not opening for you (more than 90% of instances) is that is that your card is inactive. A technical problem with the gate controller is almost never the issue.

Why would your gate access card be inactive? There are two main reasons for this:

• you haven’t re-completed the Facility and Safety Orientation (if your membership has lapsed, you are required to re-complete the Orientation; cards are unable to be activated until this has been done)
• you have very recently re-completed the Orientation and renewed your membership and your gate access card has simply not yet been activated (the membership database and the card access system are two separate systems and card activation is a manual process).

SPFGA memberships run from January 1 to December 31. This means that even if you renew partway through the year, your membership still ends on December 31. On January 1 each year, the membership of anyone who has not yet renewed lapses and their gate access card is deactivated.

The gate access card for any lapsed member is not reactivated until they have renewed their membership and have re-completed the Orientation. Anyone who renews and re-completes their Orientation by 11:59 p.m. on a Wednesday will typically have their card renewed by that Saturday morning. Anyone after that point will be reactivated the following week.

Ensuring that you renew by December 31 is the easiest way to making sure that there is no interruption in your membership and avoiding all of this hassle.

A: A Youth member only needs to complete the orientation if they would like their own electronic gate access card.

A 16 year old Youth member with a drivers licence and Minors Licence could conceivably want to drive out to the property and use the ranges, which would be completely legal and reasonable. To receive their gate access card, they would simply need to complete the orientation just like any other primary member would.

But, a 10 year old who only ever visited the property with their grandparents (who are members) would not be required to complete the orientation. They certainly could do so if they wanted to, but it wouldn’t be required.

A: Campsites are first come first serve. We do not have a reservation system at this time.

If you set up your tent/drop off your trailer in advance with the intent of reserving a site, please be aware that your site must not be unattended for more than 24 hours.

A: No, not on the property. However, nearby in Tofield the sani-dump has potable water. You will need to ensure you have your own hose to fill there.

A: No, not on the property. However, Tofield nearby has a sani-dump.

A: No, all sites are unserviced.

A: No, every site is usable for trailer or tent as you wish.

A: Every member pays the same fees as any other member and each is equal in their entitlements and obligations, including using whichever campsite they desire.

A: After you pull in, please sign-in at the Campsite Kiosk across from the clubhouse on the road to the campground. When you’re departing, please sign out.

We need this information in case there’s an emergency on the property, as it tells us if you’re still around or if you’ve left.

A: You are able to use your site for a maximum of seven consecutive evenings. After your seventh evening, you must remove your tent/camper and vacate the campground for a minimum of 24 hours before returning.

This period starts when you park your trailer or set up your tent and runs continuously even if you are not in your site. Your site must not be unattended for more than 24 hours.

A: You can, but your unit must not be unattended for more than 24 hours. As well, your maximum length of stay is 7 days, which begins when you enter your site, even if you are not present.

The idea here is to prevent a member from bringing and dropping off a trailer on a Wednesday prior to a long weekend in order to “reserve” the site and then expecting to stay for seven days after coming out on Friday night.

A: Yes and no. Yes, you are free to have non-member family or friends may enjoy your campsite with you. However, they are not able to stay onsite overnight. Overnight camping is restricted to SPFGA members.

A: Site sizes vary, from just large enough for a two-person tent to large enough for two 5th wheel units. Most are large enough to park an RV or trailer.

A: The campground has 17 sites of a variety of sizes from just large enough for a two-person tent to large enough for two 5th wheel units. Most are large enough to park an RV or trailer.

We have overhead drone imagery of the campground, accessible on the website: Other\Online Maps

A: Yes, fires are permitted in the firepits provided in individual campsites and at the firepits in the clubhouse area.

It is each member’s responsibility to check for the status of any Beaver County fire advisories or fire bans at https://www.albertafirebans.ca/ prior to lighting fires on the property.

A: Firewood is provided for use at no charge and may be found in the shed is on the campground loop.

Please be respectful in your firewood use. Also please do not remove this wood from the facility.

A: Firewood is provided for use at no charge and may be found in the shed on the campground loop. If the shed is empty though, you may cut your own wood understanding the following provisos:

• the wood must already be on the ground, there must be no cutting down or falling of trees, even if they are already dead (insurance liability; it’s also a limitation of the Conservation Easement on our properties with the Nature Conservancy of Canada)
• cutting and splitting must be with hand saws and axes only, no chain saws or power equipment (too loud & disruptive to other members)
• as stated in the Facility Rules, you are responsible for ensuring you have the knowledge, and skill, and personal protective equipment necessary to conduct yourself in a safe manner in all activities you engage in while on SPFGA property.

A: Member-generated garbage from the campground is to be removed with you when you leave the property. We don’t have the capacity to handle all of the garbage everyone would produce.

Being a conservation organization, recycling and composting are important to us. However, we’re not set up to support member recycling or composting, and we simply don’t have the capacity to deal with everyone’s trash.

Instead, what we ask (and thank you for doing) is that after cleaning up your campsite that you take your trash, recycling, and compost with your and deal with it appropriately at home.

A: No, non-members are not permitted to stay overnight on the property (this is an insurance liability thing).

However, if they simply buy a membership this becomes a totally different question. In fact, we’ve priced our Regular, Family, and Youth memberships inexpensively to cover this very scenario. If you’d like to have your grandkids camp with you, host your aunt & uncle or mom & dad, or just share our wonderful facilities with your-out-of-town guests, just go over to the Membership Purchase page and purchase the membership type your guest(s) need. Considering just the cost of a campsite reservation anywhere in the province, these memberships represent a great value. Plus, they’re valid until December 31 of the year purchased, so they can stay again as often as you like.

A: No, the discharge of fireworks is prohibited anywhere on SPFGA property. This is an insurance liability thing, and also a member harmony thing.

A: Yes, generator use is permitted in the campground, with the following limitations:

• Constantly running generators is considered excessive noise UNLESS required for medical reasons. Please use your generator in moderation.
• A campsite occupant must be present while the fuel generator is being operated.
• Unless mounted to a truck or trailer, fuel generators must be placed within the campsite when in use.
• Generators must always be clear of surrounding vegetation to reduce the risk of fire.
• The fuel generator exhaust must not be pointed in the direction of a neighbouring campsite.

A: Out of an interest of wildfire prevention, members are advised of the following:

• You are individually responsible for checking for the status of any Beaver County fire advisories or fire bans at https://www.albertafirebans.ca/ prior to lighting fires on the property.
• Campfires are permitted only in the firepits provided.
• You must never leave your campfire unattended. Ensure your campfire is completely out before retiring for the night and before leaving your campsite.
• If a wildfire occurs, call 911.

A: Yes, quiet hours are 11:00 pm to 7:00 am daily. During this period, noise must be kept to an absolute minimum.

Outside of quiet hours, members are requested to be reasonable with the noise they make so that everyone is able to enjoy the campground. Loud partying, music at high volume, and other rowdy behaviour is not tolerated at any time.

A: The pond is stocked with rainbow and brown trout.

A: No, the Fish Pond is catch-and-release only. There are enough losses each year from predation and other causes to keep the numbers in check and require annual restocking.

A: Because angling in the Fish Pond is catch-and-release, lures with single hooks are required in order to avoid injuring the fish.

A: Single hooks result in less damage than treble hooks and are easier to remove, resulting in less trauma to the fish. To further reduce trauma, keep the fish in the water while you unhook and release it.

A: The use of bait is problematic for us. Most fish tend to swallow the hook much more deeply when bait is used, making hook removal more challenging and damaging. The longer the fish is out of the water, the more likely it will die. The use of unbaited lures with single hooks ensures the least trauma for our fish.

A: The fish food spreader we’d historically used actually isn’t required – there is enough naturally-occuring food in the pond to feed all the fish in there. Keeping them used to foraging for their own food makes them more likely to strike at your hook.

A: The Fish Pond is opened for member use after the ice clears off (typically in April) until October 1.

During colder months, the Fish Pond aerator causes thin and unsafe ice on the pond surface. For safety, we close the pond for use from October 1 until ice breakup the following spring.

At no time is it safe for members to be on the Fish Pond ice.

A: Yes, we restock the pond every spring with 150 fish 6″-8″ in length, 100 rainbow trout and 50 brown trout.

A: The archery range follows different hours than those posted for the firearms ranges and may be used from sunrise to sunset.

A: Yes, crossbow use is permitted on the archery range.

A: Broadhead use is expressly prohibited on SPFGA target butts, the elevated stand targets, or the 3D trail’s targets.

You are welcome to provide and use your own targets for broadhead use, however.

A: No, range privileges are only required for accessing our firearms ranges. Archery range (open year-round) and 3D Trail (open April to September annually) access is standard to the Regular, Family, and Youth membership types, as well as access to all of the other recreational facilities including the campground.

More detail on our membership types and their entitlements can be found on the Membership Purchase page.

A: The break points in our range hours have specific reasoning, though they may seem arbitrary at first glance.

A: The facility has the following ranges:

Big Bore Range

The Big Bore Range has target boards at 25, 100, 200, and 300 meters and concrete benches set up for right- and left-handed shooting, with an equipment bench and rifle racks behind. Gongs are located in shrouds in the 100, 200, and 300 meter backstops.

This range is approved for the following:

• Centerfire rifles
• Rimfire rifles
• Shotguns with slugs or buckshot (birdshot is only permitted on the shotgun range)
• Muzzle-loading long guns
• Air-powered rifles

Rimfire & Muzzle Loading Range

The Rimfire Range has target boards at 15, 25, 50, and 100 meters and concrete benches set up for right- and left-handed shooting, with an equipment bench and rifle racks behind.  Gongs are located in shrouds in the 50 and 100 meter backstops.

This range is approved for the following:

• Rimfire rifles
• Muzzle-loading long guns
• Air-powered rifles of .22 caliber or smaller

Overflow Range

The Overflow Range has target boards at 100, 150, and 200 meters and concrete benches set up for right- and left-handed shooting, with an equipment bench and rifle racks behind.  Gongs are located in shrouds in each backstop.

This range is approved for the following:

• Centerfire rifles
• Rimfire rifles
• Shotguns with slugs or buckshot (birdshot is only permitted on the shotgun range)
• Muzzle-loading long guns
• Air-powered rifles

Handgun Range

The Handgun Range has target boards at 7, 10, 15, 20, and 25 meters.  A gong is located in a shroud in the 25 meter backstop.

This range is approved for the following:

• Centerfire handguns
• Rimfire handguns
• Pistol caliber carbines
• Muzzle loading pistols
• Cap & ball revolvers
• Air-powered rifles and handguns of .22 caliber or smaller

50 m Range

The 50 m Range is intended for use with firearms of all types and concrete benches set up for right- and left-handed shooting, with an equipment bench and rifle racks behind

This range is approved for the following:

• Centerfire rifles
• Rimfire rifles
• Shotguns with slugs or buckshot (birdshot is only permitted on the shotgun range)
• Muzzle loading long guns
• Centerfire, rimfire and muzzle loading handguns
• Air-powered rifles and handguns

Shotgun Range

The Shotgun Range is designed for clay pigeon shooting with two spring throwers, accessible all year long, and an electronic thrower open for a drop-in league events. A patterning board is also available.

This range is approved for the following:

• Shotguns with #7 or smaller birdshot only

Note: Because the shotgun range is not bermed, buckshot, smooth bore slugs, rifled slugs, or sabot slugs absolutely prohibited because of the safety risk they pose. Muzzle-loading shotguns are permitted, so long as the shot size used is #7 or smaller.

Black Powder Trail

The Black Powder Trail is a trail walk for black powder rifles and pistols and has throwing butts for knife and tomahawk.

This range is approved for the following:

• Muzzle loading pistols
• Muzzle loading long guns
• Cap & ball revolvers

A: The longest is 300 m on the Big Bore Range.

A: Pistol caliber carbines are permitted on the Handgun and 50 m ranges, so long as the cartridge they are chambered in is approved for use on that range. The image below is from the Handgun range portion of the Facility Rules:

Please note: the Facility Rules were updated in 2021 to allow PCC use on the Handgun range, following a years-long prohibition in this regard. As a result, some confusion in members’ minds is understandable. Members are asked to be respectful with one another when discussing this at the facility & strive to help one another improve their understanding.

A: Yes, holster use is permitted on SPFGA ranges.

Within the Facility Rules each member has the individual responsibility to ensure that they have the necessary knowledge and skill for safe holster use, just as they are required to be knowledgeable and skillful in any other activity they undertake on SPFGA property.

The possibilities for that knowledge or skill was be obtained can be wide and varied. Some members may have taken a structured course leading to a certification such as Black Badge, some may have law enforcement or military experience, and some may been competing in the shooting sports for years. The responsibility remains with each member personally to ensure that their knowledge and skill are sufficient to engage in safe holter use.

The safest place for your handgun after all, aside from your safe, is in a holster.

Members using a holster should ensure that it is designed for their handgun and effectively secures it and is properly secured to their belt of choice.

A: The important thing to understand here is that Ketchamoot Creek is a cold range. This means that firearms may only be loaded when you are at the firing line with the safety curtain raised and you are ready to begin shooting. Outside of this, a holstered handgun must be cold-holstered. That is, unloaded. ‘Unloaded’ here, according to Statutory Orders and Regulations 98-209 attached to the Firearms Act, means that “any propellant, projectile or cartridge that can be discharged from the firearm is not contained in the breech or firing chamber of the firearm nor in the cartridge magazine attached to or inserted into the firearm”.

A: Taking it as understood that the member has a quality holster designed for their handgun and they have the necessary knowledge and skill for safe holster use, the next thing to understand is that the range area of the Ketchamoot Creek facility extends from the Big Bore Range to the Black Powder Trail. So, it is permissible to have your handgun cold-holstered (i.e. unloaded* in your holster) within this area. Outside of the range area, restricted firearms must be stored and transported in accordance with the Firearms Act.

*’Unloaded’ here, according to Statutory Orders and Regulations 98-209 attached to the Firearms Act, means that “any propellant, projectile or cartridge that can be discharged from the firearm is not contained in the breech or firing chamber of the firearm nor in the cartridge magazine attached to or inserted into the firearm”.

A: Yes, ammunition with steel-core projectiles is permitted on SPFGA ranges, subject to the following rules:

1. It must only be used on the Big Bore, Overflow, and 50 m ranges. This means no use of steel core ammunition on the Handgun range and, of course, not at all on the Rimfire range.
2. It must only be used on targets affixed to backstops. This means soft/paper-based targets, as stated in the Facility Rules, stapled or pinned to the SPFGA-supplied target backers.
3. It must not be used at distances less than 50 m. This means the 25 m target on the Big Bore range is off-limits to steel-core ammunition, and is why it steel-core ammunition is not permitted on the Handgun range. 
4. It must not be used on gongs. Pretty self-explanatory, but our gongs get pretty banged up as it is & don’t need the wear and tear.

A: Yes, the use of handloaded/reloaded ammunition is permitted on SPFGA firearms ranges.

However, as stated in the ‘General Safety’ and ‘Knowledge and Skill’ sections of the Facility Rules, each member is individually and personally responsible to ensure that the ammunition and firearms being discharged are safe for use in all instances, and that they have the knowledge and skill necessary for producing their own handloads.

A: The answer to this depends on the situation. Cartridges that fail to go off should be disposed of in the red metal disposal containers provided at each range.

If you have old ammunition that you feel may be unsafe, the best option is to contact your local RCMP or EPS station and arrange to drop it off there. They will arrange for proper disposal. If you have ammunition that is fine but you have no use for, you can offer it to friends or other members (sorry, we don’t have a way to help facilitate this at this time).

The important thing to keep in mind is that it should never be disposed of in your household garbage or in the garbage bins at the facility.

A: Acceptable targets on SPFGA ranges include:

• must be soft/paper based
• must be affixed to SPFGA supplied target backers.
• must not be placed on the ground – the ranges are designed to minimize the danger of ricochets escaping the bermed areas, so the only time hard silhouette targets can be placed on the ground is at club-sanctioned events supervised by an SPFGA-appointed Range Officer
• may be hung from the provided supports on the 50 m range and must be of an acceptable soft (i.e. non-metal) material
• may be human silhouette in nature, such as the IPSC Metric Target, zombies or humanoid monsters, or military ‘fritz’ style

Unacceptable targets include:

• photographs or likenesses of actual persons, whether living or dead (this shouldn’t require explanation)
• clays, balloons, plastic (makes a mess which nobody ever seems to clean up)
• fruits, vegetables or other food stuff (makes a mess & attracts animals to the target board area)
• explosive targets (safety/liability issue here, as well as being disruptive to our neighbours)
• all metallic targets, with the exception of downward-deflecting spinners on the Rimfire Range when placed insite the steel shroud

One other thing: Do not intentionally shoot at range fixtures such as gong shrouds or target supports.

A: The Facility Rules prescribe that “All targets must be affixed to SPFGA supplied target backers and must be soft/paper based.” as the ‘what’ and the ‘where’ are the more important considerations. The ‘how’ part in terms of affixing them is left more or less open and staples, binder clips, pushpins, tacks are all valid methods, staples by far being the most common.

A: Yes, human silhouette targets are permitted on SPFGA ranges.

Targets such as the IPSC Metric Target, targets depicting zombies or humanoid monsters, and even military ‘fritz’ style targets are approved for use. Photos or likenesses of actual persons, whether they are alive or dead, are not permitted however.

Please note: the Facility Rules were updated in 2020 to permit the use of human silhouette targets, following a years-long prohibition in this regard. As a result, some confusion in members’ minds is understandable. Members are asked to be respectful with one another when discussing this at the facility & strive to help one another improve their understanding.

A: Generally, no. As stipulated in the Facility Rules, all metallic targets except those provided by SPFGA are prohibited on the property.

The exception to this is on the Rimfire Range, where member-supplied downward-deflecting spinners may be used when placed inside the steel gong shroud.

A: Yes, this is permitted. It’s perfectly fine to freshen up the gongs with your own brightly-coloured paint to see where your rounds are hitting. We simply ask that you paint only the gong face, don’t make a mess, and clean up after yourself, including putting spent spray cans into the trash bins.

A: In the case of each instance, follow the instructions below:

Hang Fire / Misfires

In the event of a hang fire/misfire, the action must remain closed for a minimum of one minute, the firearm remaining under control and the muzzle being maintained in a safe down range direction.

Cartridges that fail to go off should be disposed of in the provided disposal containers at each range.

Malfunctions

In the event that a firearm malfunction occurs when a cease fire is called – such a bolt unable to close on a tight case which is now stuck, or a muzzleloader that won’t fire – make reasonable efforts to resolve the situation. Should a reasonable effort prove fruitless, render the firearm as safe as possible and ensure the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction. The firearm may be inspected further when live fire is declared.

A: Yes, absolutely. Members often have non-member guests accompany them to the range. Having your grandkids come out with you to see what the range is like, having your spouse join you, or having a family member help a mobility-restricted member place or receive targets are all examples of situations that are completely within the rules.

A non-member guest is welcome in shooting sheds and is able to proceed downrange during a ceasefire when the Safety Curtain is in the down position. The stipulation is that they must not handle uncased firearms, ammunition, magazine, bows, arrows, crossbows, bolts, etc. and must not shoot. In order to for them to be able to shoot, you simply need to purchase a day pass for them.

A: This is a question so broad it’s challenging to answer completely. That said the answer to this is, succinctly: No.

The longer answer is, well, longer.

Legislative changes such as SOR/2020-96, the so-called ‘May 1, 2020 Order in Council’, brought about various firearms classification changes. Earlier legislation over the preceding decades have as well. More recent legislation like Bill C-21 or SOR/2024-248, announced on December 5, 2024, have brought about further changes. Legislation is a complex business is what we’re trying to drive at, and something you remember might not have come into force yet or may have been repealed or altered by later legislation.

Contributing to that complexity is the fact that some license holders have 12(x) endorsements which enable them to do things which other license holders cannot.

The sum effect is that none of this is as straightforward as it may seem on the surface and simply placing prohibitions in our rules is not a workable solution in this matter.

Consequently, the SPFGA takes the stance that it does not interpret the law, nor does it enforce it.

Our Facility Rules are focused on the safety of our members and their guests and on general harmony. We will enforce rules specific to our range certifications, such as the types of firearms and types of shooting permitted on each range. But otherwise, our expectations are placed on the individual member to be personally aware and knowledgeable of all applicable laws and regulations governing any activity they engage in, and to adhere to them. This is included in the Membership Terms and Conditions every member must agree to prior to joining or renewing each year, in fact.

This requirement to know and follow applicable laws doesn’t just end at firearms – it extends to hunting regulations, OHV use in back country areas, fire bans and campfires. There are numerous laws each of us needs to be aware of and follow.

Each of us is welcome to our own personal views and we might not always agree with the laws and regulations placed upon us. But, until they’re altered or repealed, we all collectively share in the responsibility of following them. But – and this is an important ‘but’ – you are innocent until your guilt has been proven beyond reasonable doubt. That last part there – the determination of innocence and guilt – is done by the judicial system. So, you don’t enter into our disciplinary process because of a law we think you may have broken. A finding of the judiciary – a conviction for poaching, say, or for a firearms-related offence – that could be something that affects the ongoing health of your membership with us.

A: A bit of ‘yes’ and a bit of ‘no’ to this one. Purchasing Range Privileges with your membership is required to use any of the firearms ranges. A Regular membership without Range Privileges is sufficient to use the Archery range, however.

A Regular member without Range Privileges could be a guest of a member who does have Range Privileges however, in accordance with the Supervised Guest Range Use Policy.

A: If you are the primary member on your membership, then yes your membership card must include your photo. You can take a photo yourself or have a commercial photographer do it, both are acceptable. Photos may be in colour or in black and white and must:

• be a photo of your face
• be clear, sharp and in focus
• be an original and unaltered digital image
• have uniform lighting and be without shadows, glare or flash reflections
• show a clear difference between the your face and the background.

A blank profile photo, a photo of your cat, or your entire graduating class photo with your teeny-tiny face are  some examples of what’s not acceptable.

Other members will compare the photo on your card to your face when you are asked to produce your membership card, so it’s important to have your face clearly & easily visible. Your membership card tells other members that your access of the property and use of that amenity is legitimate.

For Family memberships, photos of the primary member’s spouse and any dependents’ cards is optional but encouraged, as it can help streamline verification processes.

A: To upload their photo, the member logs into their member portal then uses the ‘Change Profile Photo’ tab under ‘Profile’:

A: You can list the following as our facility address on your paperwork for the CFO

SPFGA
50302 RGE RD 203
Beaver County
T0B 4J2
Legal Land Description:
SE 21 50 20 W4

A: Yes, absolutely – your pets are most definitely welcome. There are some rules to this, of course:

• they must always be leashed and kept under control when on the property (we want to keep them safe & limit their interactions with wildlife)
• they permitted in the campground but must only leave the campsite with their owner
• they must not be left unaccompanied anywhere on the property, including the campground
• they are prohibited on all ranges (we don’t want them running downrange where they could get hurt)
• they are not permitted in the clubhouse (we’ve made significant investments upgrading this amenity & want to keep it at its best; plus, this step is intended to avoid aggravating other members’ pet allergies)
• they must not make an excessive amount of noise (e.g. dogs constantly barking)
• aggressive pets are not permitted (self-explanatory & understandable).

It of course goes without saying (but we’re going to say it anyway so there’s no confusion) but owners are expected to pick up their pet’s droppings and deposit them in one of the trash bins throughout the facility.

A: We’re often asked “Are there parts of the property where we’re able to hunt?” The answer to this is yes, but because these spaces directly adjoin other areas where hunting is not permitted, it’s important to clearly understand where the boundaries are between ‘hunting allowed’ and ‘hunting prohibited’.

At present, the following three properties are accessible for hunting: Sherwood Park 1, NCC Gambling Lake, and the  Camrose Property. The remainder of the Ketchamoot Creek facility properties are prohibited for hunting use because of the proximity of neighbors and/or use by other members for other purposes.

The full information on this can be found in the article on page 7 of the Winter 2021 issue of our e-zine, Range of Thoughts, but in brief the quarter section directly to the north of our range quarter, which appears in the Alberta Conservation Association’s Discovery Guide as ‘Sherwood Park 1’, and is accessible for hunting and hiking access qith the limitations of: “Day use only. No open fires. Foot access only.”

Directly to the west of that, and not actually a part of the Ketchamoot Creek facility per se, is the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Gambling Lake property. This property huntable without requiring prior permission (many NCC properties on their property finder require the request of prior permission, but NCC Gambling Lake does not). Terms and conditions for access to this property can be found here.

A: No, the use of off-road vehicles such as quads or side-by-sides by members on the property is not permitted.

A: No, the use of motor vehicles on SPFGA trails or ranges is expressly prohibited. First, there are concerns of ruts and the range floor, which must be flat to prevent projectiles leaving the range following a ground strike. Second, it can make a mess, particularly when the ground is wet, as the ranges and trails were not designed for it.

The exception to this is by SPFGA staff & authorized volunteers, or during SPFGA-sanctioned activities.

A: You certainly can, if you’d like to, but it’s not required to be on a lanyard. What is required is that it’s displayed for other members to see.

The Facility Rules, in the General Facility Rules section states that “All members are required to display their membership card while on club property and provide it for inspection if requested by any other SPFGA member.” This means that your current-year membership card must be visibly displayed, but we’ve left the manner of this display deliberately undefined. Placed on your shooting bench, pinned to the post next to your shooting bench, taped to your range box, in a plastic holder hanging from your belt, or from a lanyard around your neck are all examples of acceptable modes of display. The intent here is to make it clear to other members that you are a current-year member with range privileges.

While we’re discussing this, it’s important to highlight the second statement in this rules item: “Members are asked to be courteous in making these requests and in complying with them.” It’s your right to ask to see someone else’s membership card. If someone has asked to see your card, you are obligated to produce it for inspection. Please remember that you are both obligated to conduct this conversation in a productive and courteous manner.

A: SPFGA membership includes liability insurance, currently through the Canadian National Sportsmen’s Insurance Program.

Details of coverage for the following membership types is found in the links below:

• Primary members with Regular memberships
• Primary members with Family Memberships, including their spouses, and children 18 years of age and under residing with them
• Primary members with Youth memberships

Summary of SPFGA primary member coverage

SPFGA Gun Range Accident Coverage

SPFGA also maintains liability coverage for volunteers assisting with club activities:

SPFGA Volunteer Accident Coverage

A: Cannabis ingestion (note: ingestion, not smoking or vaping) is permitted in the clubhouse areas and in individual campsites. Members are reminded of the need in all cases to consume responsibly.

Cannabis use is expressly prohibited in all range areas, range sheds, and parking areas. Further, persons under the influence of cannabis are not permitted in any range area.

A: Alcohol consumption is permitted in the clubhouse areas and in individual campsites. Members are reminded of the need in all cases to consume responsibly.

Alcohol consumption is expressly prohibited in all range areas, range sheds, and parking areas. Further, persons under the influence of alcohol are not permitted in any range area.

A: Smoking and vaping are permitted in your individual campsite and in parking areas.

Smoking and vaping are expressly prohibited in or on:

• the shooting sheds
• the clubhouse
• the 3D archery trail
• the hiking trails
• the black powder trail.

A: If a page on the website requires you to log in to access, that page is only available to SPFGA members.  To access it, simply use the same username and password you use to access your member portal.

We do this to balance the need to ensure that members have access to club-specific information and services against the need for the access not be open to the entire Internet.

A: This is to make sure that members have access to club-specific information and services, balancing that against the need for the access to be member-only.

To log in, simply use the same username and password you use to access your member portal.

A: Yes, this is certainly possible. There’s a couple of things to note about this though.

First, there are additional costs. Electronic transmission via email of these three communications streams is included in the annual membership fee. Receiving club communications in print via Canada Post is available for an additional charge of $75 per year to cover staff, material, and postage costs. You can arrange this by contacting the office at 780-467-0085 during office hours.

Second, as noted in the Membership Terms and Conditions, receiving, opening, and reading issues of Safe and Sound and then acknowledging that their message has been received and understood (there’s an acknowledgement button at the bottom each message) within 14 days is compulsory conditions to maintaining an active gate access card. If you only receive these communications in print and are not acknowledging them electronically, this requirement is not being met. 

It’s your legal right to unsubscribe from all three streams of communication, or even to not use email at all. However, the gate access card of primary members who do not receive Safe and Sound by email and who do not regularly acknowledge their message will be deactivated.

You will still able to access the property, you simply need to call the office at 780-467-0085 during office hours in advance each time before coming out. This is necessary so you can be informed of any closures, or whether there are any specific conditions, concerns, or hazards they should be aware of. Once this is done, your gate access card will be reactivated for a 72-hour period.

A: No, you cannot.

We regularly receive bookings for the clubhouse. When this amenity is booked, it is considered as being exclusively used by the booking group. This means that the clubhouse bathrooms, kitchen, clubhouse interior, and surrounding grounds are unavailable for member use.

Why is this? Some of the groups making bookings are youth groups. Some of these are overnight bookings. For their safety and security, this amenity is to be considered unavailable for general member use when it is booked.

The sign below will be placed in front of the clubhouse when it is booked. You are able to check its availability for your use in advance by consulting the Events Calendar.

A: Day Passes for supervised range guests are $25 per day per adult guest. There is no charge for youth guests under 18

A: To purchase a supervised range Day Pass, log into your member profile on the website, select ‘Buy Guest Pass’ from the menu, and fill in your guest’s details.

Some things to be aware of in terms of the Supervised Range Guest Policy:

• passes must be purchased by the adult member Sponsor through the member’s portal on the website (see screenshots below)
• the purchase receipt will act as the Day Pass for the guest’s range visit
• this receipt must be available for inspection in either print or electronic form
• the Day Pass is valid only for the specific day and guest that it is purchased for and cannot be transferred or refunded
• insurance coverage is provided through the Sponsor’s own membership
• guests must always be directly supervised by their Sponsor when handling uncased firearms
• sponsors and guests may not both operate firearms at the same time
• adults with a Regular Range membership may sponsor only one guest per day
• adults with a Family Range membership may sponsor up to two guests per day, however if sponsoring two
• guests both adult Sponsors will be required to be in attendance and each may only supervise one guest at a time
• guests should review the facility rules on the SPFGA website (https://www.spfga.ca/facilityrules/) prior to attending the facility
• strict adherence to these rules is the responsibility of the Sponsor; violation of the rules may place the Sponsor’s membership in jeopardy

Cost for a guest pass is $20 per day per adult guest. There is no charge for youth guests under 18 years of age.

A: No, a Day Pass is not required to host guests on other facility amenities like the fish pond, walking trails, campground, etc. The only limitation is that non-member guests are not permitted to stay overnight on the property (this is an insurance liability thing).

A: Sorry, but no. As stated in the Supervised Range Guest Policy, which you were required to indicate acceptance of prior to purchasing your Day Pass, range guest passes are non-refundable and cannot be transferred.

A: Sorry, but no. As stated in the Supervised Range Guest Policy, which you were required to indicate acceptance of prior to purchasing your Day Pass, range guest passes are non-refundable and cannot be transferred.

A: In the scenario where you ask to see the day pass of another member hosting a guest on a range and they admit to not having one, the simplest and most productive way forward is to simply help them them buy one. Help them come into compliance, in other words. They might have been unaware it was needed, or couldn’t figure out how, or  had simply forgotten. Whatever the reason, helping them find their way to the right path is the way forward with the most benefit for everyone.

There’s business-grade internet in the range areas, so just help them go to their member portal on the website on their mobile device (they’d go to www.spfga.ca and then Members/My Account/Buy Guest Pass).

A no-blame approach like “Oh hey, did you know you need to have a day pass to host a guest on the range? You don’t have? No worries–you can do buy one right now. I can show you how…” side-steps the natural defensive reaction & keep the conversation productive.

Now, if they refused to cooperate or were hostile despite your polite insistence that this is necessary, at that point we ask that you simply disengage and file an Incident Report on the website when you felt it was safe to do so. The form captures time and location date the Member Discipline Committee can use in its investigation.

A: If your polite request to see the day pass a member purchased for their range guest is not complied with and your polite reminder that complying with your request is mandatory is ignored, you’ve done all we could ask you to do.

Simply disengage and complete an Incident Report when you feel it’s safe to do so and let us know about the situation. The form collects location and time data the Member Discipline Committee will use to investigate.