Pahquioque Rod and Gun Club


Facilities
Skeet: no | Trap: yes | 5 Stand: no | Sporting: no | FITASC: no | Other: no | Birds: no
The information shown above was accurate when obtained. You should ALWAYS check with the club for up-to-the-minute information before making a trip to a club that you are not familiar with.
Directions:
On Route 7, Danbury, CT, 2.5 miles south of Route 84 on the west side across from a large cell phone tower.


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Club Type: Member
Contact: Range Safety Officer
Location: Wooster Mountain State Park, Rt 7  Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: (203) 794-9821
Website: http://www.pahquioque.com/
Club Hours:
Trap shooting Tuesdays only 10am until sunset year round.

 

20 Reviews

  1. Relationship to facility: Member
    Number of visits: More than 10

    This quaint and classy trap club dates back to the turn of the century (there are videos on you tube), and is now a one-day-a-week public/member facility every Tuesday. If you show up to shoot, you pay a $25 membership– which grants a year’s privileges– go through a safety briefing, and you are able to shoot. You must of course bring your own gun and ammunition. Limited to traditional American bunker trap (single shot), or occasional wobble trap, the facility is a great way to stay in practice. Each round costs $6 as of this writing (March 2021).

    The atmosphere is very informal, with no scoring. “Oldtime” trap safety rules are observed: when on the firing line, you load one round only AFTER the previous shooter has fired. Pistol grip and paramilitary-type shotguns are not permitted. The on-site club management appears to consist predominantly of affable retirees. Some days there is enough of a crowd to have three squads running simultaneously, but other times I’ve been told “go ahead and shoot on your own…” Target activation is via VOX.

  2. Relationship to facility: Member
    Number of visits: Once

    Haven’t shot trap in 40 yrs. Watched the video-good pointers. Worked with Bo. Shot 2 rounds and joined club. Great time. Very helpful staff. Membership fee a bargain.

  3. Relationship to facility: Member
    Number of visits: 2-5 Visits

    Have visited club to shoot rifles on occasion but my son has expressed an interest in trap so we decided to pack the shotgun and visit. We were greeted very professionally and treated as friends, even offering us coffee and donuts 🙂 very welcoming. We were shown the introduction video and trained on safety. Then, Larry personally took us to a trap station and spent a very generous amount of time with my son and I to teach us the ropes. I had to call it quits after 50 rounds but Larry would have spent the rest of the day with us and even invited me back for another training session. I immediately joined the club that day. Great staff and facility for the price. Thanks all for your support of a new trap shooter.

  4. Relationship to facility: Visitor
    Number of visits: Once

    I have been shooting at the club on Tuesdays for many years. Wonderful people & grounds!!! Kept me in “shape” for my upland hunting…

  5. Relationship to facility: Member
    Number of visits: I work there

    Regarding Bob V’s comment, we can and do accommodate ATA members from outside our area as one time guests without charging the $25 annual fee. Unfortunately, if the writer below is a visiting ATA member, this was must not have been evident to the person he talked to. If the writer is not a registered ATA member then he is correct. Let me explain.

    Our $25 annual fee ensures what we believe to be one of the safest public shooting programs in the nation. When someone shoots on our range they can be assured that those on their 5 person squad are either experienced, competitive trap shooters and active ATA members or they have completed an orientation conducted by our RSO’s covering range rules, safety, and one-on-one live fire coaching under the supervision of that RSO. For $25 we then issue an annual pass to each shooter that meets these standards. We do not make exceptions to this practice. We also require all shooters to sign in daily with their pass number to ensure that all shooters on the range have been qualified as stated above. We are told by our public shooters that a prime reason for their ongoing participation is their comfort that those shooting on their squad have met these standards.

    We introduce 200+ shooters to trap each year. Many of them are novices and many have never fired a shotgun. We hope that readers will come by our Wooster Mountain range on some Tuesday and shoot with us. Or come and shoot at one of our Registered ATA shoots which are scheduled for the first Sundays in June, August, and October.

    We hope to see you on our range soon.

  6. Relationship to facility: Visitor
    Number of visits: Once

    After reading all the write ups, I came to Danbury fully prepared; So, I cant blame anyone. What I wasn’t prepared for was that management wouldn’t waive an out of state visitors requirement for a membership.
    Everything about Danbury is true. Nice 3 field layout, nice mountain hillside backdrop, old trees shading the clubhouse, etc…(EXCEPT: it is not a public/member club. It has a mandatory membership requirement.)
    If you live here, you cant beat 25.00 a year for a membership. But to charge a traveling visitor the same, someone’s not using their heads and is scaring off a lot of shooters with 31.00 for the first game. In light of the new state laws concerning gun ownership, purchase permits for buying reloading gear, scarcity of ammo in stores, and that they only are open 1 day a week, you’d think they’d make it easier to shoot in Conn.. Nope.
    Btw, rounds are now 6.00. I hung around a while trying to justify shooting, but just didn’t feel welcome. In all my travels around this nation, it’s the first range I felt blown off where the rules prevailed over common sense. Even if they charged 10.00 a game for one time visitors, would be reasonable. So, with that said, I wont be returning. I should have listened to Al Anglace.

  7. Relationship to facility: Visitor
    Number of visits: More than 10

    If you are looking for a great facility for Trap, look no further than Pahquioque. It is conveniently located off RTE 7 and I-84 and it is a hidden gem of shooting enthusiasts in Southwestern CT. The staff makes you feel like you belong to the club as soon as you arrive. If you are a weekend shooter just looking to knock the spider webs off your shotgun or a serious competitive trap shooter, Pahquioque Rod and Gun Club can and will accommodate you. If you ask for some pointers, a staff member will teach and coach you on hold points, lead and barrel movement. The club has four Trap fields and squads are always filling them. Every Tuesday until dusk the club is open to the public for Trap. It’s a great destination to shoot in the winter time too. After you break some clays while Jack Frost is nipping at you, head on inside to the lodge and warm up with coffee, dounuts and a roaring fire. In no time you’ll be back out there shooting you next 25 straight. Although I now live in Kansas, every time I travel back to Danbury, CT to visit family and loved ones, I make it a point to go shoot Trap at Pahquioque.

  8. Relationship to facility: Visitor
    Number of visits: Once

    Great experience…Larry G. and Joe T. were welcoming, informative, gracious. I learned more about the culture of sport shooting in one afternoon than I expect to learn in the next two years…well done!

  9. Relationship to facility: Member
    Number of visits: I work there

    Arthur from Bethel ,CT wrote a nice summary of his visit on September 23, 2010 however he is discussing DSSA, a rifle and pistol club, not Pahquioque Rod and Gun Club. Pahquioque is Trap Shooting only, on Tuesdays we do not allow rifle and pistol shooting because of safety issues. Thank you

  10. Relationship to facility: Visitor
    Number of visits: 2-5 Visits

    I love this place and am thinking of becoming a member. It’s hot in the summer heat as there are no overhangs and just a few tables that are in the shade, but other than that the tables are ample and the shooting is good. Usually go with my 22 year old son and maybe my younger 19 year old or a few of their friends. 15 dollars will get you unlimited shooting for the day although we never really stay any more than a couple of hours. Sharing one bench does not get you any discount but with the unlimited time you don’t need two. Target frame rental is 5.00 and they will supply NRA targets if you don’t have your own. We prefer the shoot-n-see ones. Greta place nice people convenient location.

  11. Relationship to facility: Visitor
    Number of visits: More than 10

    I like this club a lot. In the winter there’s a fire in the big fireplace inside that reminds you of a hunting lodge. It’s very comfortable and I always feel like I’m on a vacation in the mountains somewhere! You pay a $25 fee once a year and then $5 for each round. There are 3 trap houses running and another used for beginners I think. If you haven’t shot before they have you watch a movie and oversee you while you shoot a round. People are really nice and helpful and the club is located near plenty of restaurants if you want to get something to eat afterwards. Sometimes members bring food or they have a barbecue.

  12. Relationship to facility: Visitor
    Number of visits: Once

    Great place to shoot! Paid my $25 to be a member, got to watch a very informative video on the proper way to hit clays. Then I got a 2 1/2 hour lesson, one on one from the president of the the club (Thanks Jimmy Garafolo)
    I had shot trap once before and had never been given a TRUE lesson. This was absolutely fantastic! Before I left they charged me $5 for every 25 shells I shot. I can’t wait till next Tuesday! I will be going back every Tuesday (schedule permitting). Very nice people and they make you feel very welcome. Thank you everyone at Pahquioque Rod and Gun Club

  13. Relationship to facility: Member
    Number of visits: More than 10

    Kevin from Fairfield ,CT wrote a nice summary of his visit on May 16, 2009 however he is discussing DSSA rifle and pistol club not PR&GC. Pahquioque is Trap Shooting only, on Tuesdays we do not allow rifle and pistol shooting because of safety issues. Thank you

  14. Relationship to facility: Visitor
    Number of visits: Once

    Loved it! Range safety officer and others were helpful, friendly, informative and safety his number one concern, second was seeing everyone had a great time.
    Visited on a sunny Saturday in April 09, had a good crowd but had enough stations for everyone. Price was great at $20, I shot for 2.5 hrs and left so others could use range. Many families with kids came out.
    One drawback I experienced, shooting tables are amply spaced between one another but as I sat zeroing my sight and shooting, I was pelted in the head a few times with flying shells ejected from the guy’s black rifle to my left. Most shooters shot from from the left side of the tables, this guy shot from both sides with his girl friend which crowded my space as well.
    I purchased a shell catcher for my M4, others should also, not only to catch their brass, but to be courteous of others and help keep walkways clear and safe.
    I merely shot when he was reloading or doing something other than shooting.
    Great range though, and out in the fresh country air, just be darn sure you keep your firearm pointed down range and not pointed up, aircraft traffic overhead!
    The range stocks ear plugs, targets, and I believe some ammo (not sure on ammo).
    Had a great time, going back today and filling out a membership application.

  15. Relationship to facility: Visitor
    Number of visits: More than 10

    I shoot here almost every week with both my boys 9 & 12. It has been a fantastic experience all around. The staff is extremely friendly and particularly good with the boys. They have 4 trap fields and there’s little or no waiting. They do wobble and other variants occasionally. Great club!
    They charge a $25 annual fee so you should sign up in January.

  16. Relationship to facility: Visitor
    Number of visits: Once

    Recently my company went there for an outing. Out of the seven of us, three (including myself) had rarely if ever gone shooting. The members there were extremely helpful in getting us all set up and acquainted with trapshooting. They were gracious and generous hosts, donating their time and expertise to helping us have a good time. Despite the unseasonably cold weather that day, we had a blast (no pun intended). I’m hooked and I’ll be going back soon!

  17. Relationship to facility: Visitor
    Number of visits: Once

    I had my first visit to the club last week and had a great experience. I am fairly new to the sport, and received a great safety course with some instruction on my technique. We were able to shoot wobble and some doubles. The members were great. Nice and friendly attitudes all around.

  18. Relationship to facility: Visitor
    Number of visits: Once

    I had a great experience visiting this club for the first time. The only experience I had with shooting trap has been with my father in law at his gun club in Hudson Valley so I wanted to try going on my own. I showed up at the range at around noon and did not exactly know how to approach some of the members I saw standing around, just watched for awhile. A member then came up (cant seem to remember his name) and asked if I needed a hand. He then proceeded to show me around and introduce me to the people running the show. After I paid the $25 for a yearly membership they sent me out with Jim the president of the club. He brought me to an empty stand and really went over the safety rules of the range. He then gave a great instruction of how to shoot trap. We ran through an entire box of shells with him explaining how to improve my shot. He even double checked my old 20 Guage to make sure it was shooting correctly (sadly it’s just me). I then took a small break before getting on a squad. Being that it was my first time on a squad at this range they send a member with you to help with the commands and your shooting. All and all a great Trap shooting experience I will be back next Tuesday.

  19. Relationship to facility: Visitor
    Number of visits: More than 10

    I was a member when I lived up in Connecticut and this is a great club well worth the membership fee. The club managers also offer wobble trap and handicap trap and sometimes grill hotdogs and burgers and soda. Good folks.

  20. Relationship to facility: Member
    Number of visits: I work there

    Very shooter friendly, shooting trap from 10 AM till Dusk every Tuesday, year round. A Trap shooting and safety orientation, usually one on one, comes with the purchase of the $25 annual pass.


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