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Niagara County Sportsmen's Frequently Asked Questions   Hit Counter

  1. How do I become a Member of N.C.S.A.?

    1. Applications are accepted and orientation is provided for new applicants at 12 PM sharp on the day of, and prior to our General Membership Meeting on the Second Sunday of each month. We also accept applications at 7 PM sharp on the Second Tuesday following our General Membership Meeting. Applicants must obtain a background check from their local Police or Sheriff's department, and must present it at the time of their membership orientation.
      NOTE: Pistol Permit Holders, Your Legal and valid New York State Pistol Permit can and will be recognized as your background check.
      Any changes to the New Membership Scheduled Dates will be noted in our monthly Calendar.

  2. How much will it cost to join N.C.S.A.?

    1.  An initiation fee of $75.00 included in the New Member Fees below. 

    2.  Prorated dues, also included in the New Member Fees and

    3. A $5.00 deposit for your personal Key Card,  
                NOTE:       A Check or Money Order is preferred.
                                                                                New Member Fees
                                          Join between:       Initiation        Dues    Key Card    You pay:
                                         Jun 1 -  Dec 31  -    $75.00   +   $75.00  + $5.00  =   $155.00
                                         Jan 1 -  Mar 31  -    $75.00   +   $37.50  + $5.00  =   $117.50
                                         Apr 1 -  Jun 1    -     $75.00   +   $18.75  + $5.00 =    $ 98.75
                                        

    4. Each year thereafter a renewal fee of $75.00 is required. Though, Members can fulfill their obligation of 10 hour work duty and save $20.00 off their Membership Renewal.

    5. Seniors age 65 or over with five (5) consecutive years in good standing, Will, upon written request receive a 50% reduction in Membership Dues.
       

  3. How do I renew my membership?

    1. Dues are due June 1st. every year, for your convenience we include a self addressed envelope with a renewal form with the June Newsletter mailing to renew your Membership. We again ask that you please return the renewal with proper payment to the address indicated on the form. Or, you can deposit it the collection box next to the sign in sheet in the Clubhouse (No cash please). A printable renewal form is available on line at www.ncsaonline.org or you can obtain a renewal form left near the collection box at the club. If you are unable to acquire a form, mail your dues (Check or MO) to: Niagara County Sportsmen’s Assoc. P.O. Box 194, North Tonawanda New York 14120. Include Name, and Member number.

  4. When will I get my new membership card?

    1. We do not issue new Membership Cards each year. When an individual completes the Membership orientation, pays the appropriate fees and is accepted by the Board of Directors, the applicant will then be issued an ID Card (Left) and an Electronic Key Card (Right) which is computer controlled and is activated or deactivated each year subject to their renewal of  Membership, Thus permitting or denying entrance into the clubhouse. The ID Card issued to Members must accompany the Key Card for verification purposes. Your Electronic Key Card and ID Card together serve as proof of Membership. You will not receive another Membership Card unless it is lost or damaged, at which time you will need to pay a $20.00 replacement fee.

  5. Can I get a discount when I join or renew with the NRA?

    1. Yes!
      O      ur NRA recruiter has provided the necessary NRA application to be completed and mailed using the postage paid self addressed envelope available on the bulletin board in the Clubhouse, The customary fee for a one year NRA membership or a one year NRA renewal is $35.00 witch is reduced to $25.00 when our Recruiting Number is used. In addition our Club receives commission of $10.00 for a new NRA applicant, $5.00 for a renewal and $2.00 for a Junior Membership. Be sure to use and mail our Recruiter application or renewal to the NRA Recruiting Dept. and not the NRA Membership Department.

  6. How can I get access to the indoor range?

    1. Anyone wishing to use the indoor range must pay a yearly range fee of $20.00 and will need to attend a one time range orientation to become familiar with range equipment, range rules and ammo that can and cannot be used on our range. When completed, we will program our access control system to allow you access to the Indoor Range. The orientation is routinely offered after the conclusion of our membership meeting held at 2:00 PM on the Second Sunday of each month, and at 7:00 PM on the Second Tuesday following the General Membership Meeting.

  7. How can I renew my indoor range access?

    1. Members with active membership status (Paid) may renew their Indoor Range access any time during the year. Your status from any previous year will be considered verification that you have had the required Indoor Range Orientation. Your Indoor Range access will be restored upon receipt of payment to the Membership Chairman. Simply mail your $20.00 check (specify Indoor Range)  with your Name, and your Member number to: Niagara County Sportsmen’s Assoc. P.O. Box 194, North Tonawanda New York 14120

  8. Does NCSA offer Rifle competition?

    1. Yes!
                    The 3 Position Rifle Match The three-position 200-yard rifle match, consisting of prone, sitting and offhand shooting. The match is designed for the Clubs more mature shooters who are not able to keep up the routine of a High Power Rifle Match, and will allow 10 minuets to shoot each position. The use of either iron sites, scope sights or dot sights will be allowed on a bolt action, pump action, lever action or semi-auto loader. The cost for members is $1.00 and The Match will start after the 300 yard Prone Match at approximately 11:00am.For more detailed information visit our Rifle Page.

    2. The 300 Yard Prone Match Shooters can use any caliber rifle equipped with any type of sight and fired with the use of a sling only. The shooter is allowed 5 minuets for sighters, followed by a string of 20 shots in 20 minuets at the command or the range officer. When shooters have completed their 20 rounds the shooters proceed downrange to score their targets. After scoring and all shooters have returned to the shooting area, on command the shooters return to their shooting positions and fire their second string. The target used for this match is the MR-63 at 300 yards. There is a fee of $2.00 to shoot the Match.

    3. The Off Hand Rifle Match We hold two off-hand (standing) rifle matches. Shooting will be at 100 yards using the ASSRA 200 yd target. The center bull is worth 25 points. Use any rifle, any caliber, or any type of sight. There will be two classifications for this Match: Class 1) pure off-hand, with no artificial support allowed (except slings, hooked butt plates and palm rests are allowed).  Class 2) allows the use of, shooting sticks, tri-pods. Five minutes will be allowed for sighters followed by 10 shots in 20 minutes for each Match. Targets are scored downrange. The $1.00 fee allows you to shot both matches. 

    4. The John Garand We offer three Garand Matches each year, a 30 round, and two 50 round matches, with 5 rounds sighters, in 5 min, using SR target, at 200 yards followed by the standard Course of Fire, Club Supplied Ammunition for 1 MATCH (30 round) is $14.00  - and 1 MATCH (50 round) is $18.00

    5. National Rifle Match There are three National Rifle Matches, 5 Rds Sighting shots, in 5 min, followed by 50 shot National Match Course (200 yd and 300 yd). National Match fee is $15.00 per match, which includes a $4.50 fee for NRA sanction.

    6. The 22 Benchrest Match  We hold a 22 Benchrest Match once a month on Saturdays at 12:00 PM,. The match is shot with any type sight that can deliver a bullet in the scoring rings at 200 yards. There is a $1.00 fee for the Match.

    7. The Sporter Rifle League meets Thursday evenings from September thru March, with 3 or 4 practice weeks prior to the league start, signup at 6:30 PM and shooters to the line at 7:00 PM.  We continue an informal In-house Match on Thursday evening at 6:30 PM and shooters to the line at 7:00 PM through the summer during the off season.

  9. Does NCSA offer Pistol competition?

    1. Yes!
             The 900 Pistol Match is held every week and meets Saturday mornings with signup at 9:30 PM and the Match at 10:00 PM during the winter months and moves outdoors to Wednesday night in the summer, with signup at 6:00 PM and the Match at 6:30 PM.  There is a $4.00 fee for the Match which includes a weekly cash prize drawing, an all you can eat buffet at season end, plus an optional $1.00 50/50 split drawing. A casual match consisting of: Two slow fire targets, One National Match (Slow, Timed, Rapid) Two timed fire targets and two rapid fire targets, with a caliber of your choice.

    2. The Western New York Outdoor Pistol League (WNYOPL) Many members at NCSA form our WNYOPL Team which represents NCSA and competes each Sunday Morning from May thru October in about 21 Matches, with teams from the Western New York area. Each year there are about 5 Matches held at N.C.S.A. Handguns used for this event are the .22 cal. semi automatic and a centerfire caliber of your choice. View specific dates using the WNYOPL Schedule. Weather expert or novice, New pistol shooters are always welcome to join our team,

    3. The Niagara Frontier and Suburban Pistol Leagues compete during the fall and winter months from October thru March. Throughout the season, nineteen local clubs travel weekly to compete with each other based on a predetermined schedule. Here, a .22 Semi automatic handgun is required to participate in this League. And again weather expert or novice, all interested shooters are welcome to join us and become a part of the N.C.S.A. Pistol team.
       

  10. Does NCSA offer Trap Shooting?

    1. Yes!
      Every Monday evening starting at 6:00 PM the Trap House is open for business. The cost to shoot one round of Trap is $3.00 and Shooters must provide their own guns and equipment, We do not provide these items. NOTE: The Rifle and Combat Ranges' are closed while the Trap Range is in use.

  11. Can I use the Rifle Range or Combat Range when the Trap Range is in use?

    1. No!
      With safety being our number one commitment, the use of either the Rifle Range or Combat Range is prohibited whenever the Trap Range is in use.

  12. Does NCSA offer Junior Rifle Program?

    1. Yes!
      NCSA does provide a Junior Rifle Program with training each Saturday afternoon at 12:00 PM. This program, with certified instructors is intended to: 1) Teach youths the importance of FIREARM SAFETY. 2) Provide the hands on training necessary to build confidence and develop their marksmanship skills. NCSA provides pneumatic air guns for children ages 6-12. Juniors’ ages 12-20 may bring there own .22 caliber rifles, but have the option of using a .22 caliber rifle supplied by NCSA. If you know a child or junior that would to like to participate in the Rifle Training Program, have them join us at 12:00 PM. on any Saturday afternoon.

  13. When does NCSA hold Membership meetings?

    1. Membership Meetings are normally held on the Second Sunday of each month with the exception of July and August (NO Membership Meetings) or if a special holiday falls on the Second Sunday of the Month.

  14. Is there a work program like other clubs have?

    1. Yes! 
      Each year starting in April we resume our Tuesday evening (6:00 PM) Work Party Program for members to assist in improving and maintaining our property.       New Members can fulfill their 10 hour obligation of work duty and save $20.00 off Membership Dues. Tuesdays at 6:00 PM may be difficult for you, so call 731-4535 to make arrangements to accommodate your schedule. Thank You!

  15. Does NCSA offer a Hunter Training Course?

    1. Yes!
      NCSA offers the Hunter Education Class       on four selected nights, usually in the month of February      . New York State requires that all students attend all four classes before anyone can purchase their first hunting license. There is no charge for this program, and it is open to anyone 11 years of age or older. Do to space restrictions we will only be able to accept the first 25 people who register for the class. Be sure to check the January Newsletter for specific details.

  16. Does NCSA have an Archery Range?

    1. Yes!
      NCSA completed its 60 yard Archery Range (Photos) in 2006, with target butts at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 yards. Constructed of a bailed Cellulose material for use with field tips only. There is a 15 foot elevated platform (Harness Required) for Hunters to sight in their Bow for the upcoming Archery season.

  17. How come I don't receive a Newsletter anymore?

    1. Due to increased preparation cost, postal cost and a 40 to 50% disregarded newsletters that were mail out, I have decided to eliminate two quarterly mailings to eradicate any wasted cost. Our bylaws state that there will be two mailings yearly, the November ballot, and the June renewal which I did implement in January of 2008. I will continue to provide a monthly newsletter that will be available at the clubhouse for members to pick up in person, Or viewed online using the Newsletter link on our Home Page (www.ncsaonline.org) for those who wish to access it on the Internet.    

  18. Does NCSA offer the NYS Pistol Permit Class?  

    1. Yes!  
      The New York State Pistol Permit Safety Course is offered at N.C.S.A. with pre-registration arrangements made by contacting George Durkin at 298-5923. The total cost of the course is $55.00. $10.00 of which is to cover the cost of a manual and other material needed for the class. Every effort will be made to accommodate you in scheduling your Pistol Safety Class, at which time the fee of $55.00 will be collected. If you have any questions or would like to make arrangements, please contact George Durkin at 298-5923 

  19. Can Members and guests fish in the Club Ponds?

    1. Yes!
      Members with guests may fish in the Club Ponds, Fishing is allowed during the regular NYS fishing seasons with a valid NYS fishing license. (Large mouth bass fishing is ‘catch-and-release’). Guest fee for fishing is $5 per guest. All ranges and club facilities are closed, and fishing is not allowed during our General Membership meetings and during the regularly scheduled Tuesday night work party. 

  20. Does NCSA offer a Junior Membership?

    1. Yes!
      Youths between the ages of 16 and 18 shall be eligible for Junior Membership. Their dues shall be $5.00 the first year, and $3.00 per year after. At age 18, they will pay full membership dues, excluding the initiation fee. If their birth date follows 60 days after due date, they will have the rest of the year at their junior rate. They shall state on their application the day, month, and year of their birth. As junior members, they will have all rights and privileges of the club, except any voting on money matters, and they will not be allowed guest privileges.