Dubuque Chapter, Izaak Walton League of America

Membership Rules & Procedures

The Dubuque Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America is a chapter of the National IWLA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit conservation organization.

A.  As a volunteer organization, the chapter greatly depends upon membership participation to assist in the upkeep of the  facilities, supervision of chapter events, and support of chapter activities. Members are encouraged to contribute their time and resources for the betterment of the chapter and members. Members are invited to attend monthly chapter meetings, normally held the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM (Social gathering at 6:30 PM).

B. General Membership:

1. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP RUNS FROM JANUARY 1ST THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST of each year, and each member is required to provide a verified email address to the Dubuque Chapter IWLA. UNLESS MEMBERSHIP is Renewed, ALL MEMBERSHIP PRIVILEGES END on DECEMBER 31ST. Persons who fail to renew their membership by March 31st are required to participate in a member orientation and pay the member orientation fee before membership renewal. Members must carry their membership card whenever on IWLA grounds and are required to present their current membership card to a board member upon request. Members with Gate Access must carry their gate access card whenever on IWLA grounds and are required to present their gate access card to a board member upon request.

2. General membership includes discounted rates for events such as trap, skeet, pistol matches, etc., Iowa Division and National IWLA membership, and IWLA publications.

3. General membership DOES NOT ALLOW USE of the RIFLE/PISTOL RANGES, except when participating in sponsored or public events. If the gate is closed, members are not permitted to access the property unless they are a qualified Member with a Range Gate Access Card.

4. All new members must complete a member orientation before they may be considered for membership.

5. Minors must be supervised by an adult at all times while on IWLA grounds or when participating in IWLA events or activities.

6. Chapter events and activities are recorded on the Dubuque Chapter online calendar at https://sites.google.com/site/dubuquechapter and members are encouraged to review the calendar to participate in activities and to avoid conflicts.

7. MEMBERS are RESPONSIBLE to CLEAN UP AFTER THEMSELVES, leaving the ranges and facilities in as good or better condition than when they arrived. Members must carry out their trash and clean up targets, shell casings, ammo boxes, etc. Place spent BRASS casings in the BRASS buckets located on the rifle/pistol ranges. No Live Ammo, Aluminum Cases, Steel Cases, Shotgun Hulls, or Trash in the Brass Buckets. Place shotgun shell hulls in the containers provided on the shotgun range.

8. Members are responsible to report rule infractions, dangerous actions, or unlawful activity to a chapter board member directly or via email at dubuqueiiwla@gmail.com.

9. Membership is a privilege. Failure to Follow the Rules set by the Dubuque IWLA Board of Directors May Result in Disciplinary Action which includes possible revocation of privileges, surrender of the member’s membership card and/or range gate access key card, expulsion from the chapter, possible civil liability, or possible criminal liability. If a Member is required to surrender his/her membership card or gate access key card, the Dubuque IWLA Board will hold a disciplinary review council and determine if or when the membership card and/or gate access key card will be returned or other appropriate disciplinary action based upon the totality of the circumstances.

C. Range Rules & Etiquette: 

The Dubuque Chapter IWLA is located within a large residential area. The range rules and etiquette are established for the safety of shooters, observers, and the public and to ensure the longevity of the Chapter’s existence by keeping the area as safe as possible for everyone. Strict adherence to these rules and general safety principles are of paramount importance.

1. Range Hours – Firearms may not be shot before 9:00 A.M. or after sunset, as defined by the National Weather Service (even if it is still light). Gate lock will not disengage until 8:30 A.M or after 9:30 P.M.

2. Eye & Hearing Protection is Required for All Persons on the grounds whenever firearms are being discharged.

3.  Always treat firearms as if they were loaded and keep them pointed in a safe direction. Don’t point a firearm at anything you don’t intend to shoot and never muzzle sweep yourself or others.

4. Always keep your finger off the trigger until you are on target and ready to shoot.

5. Keep firearms unloaded and actions open until you are ready to shoot and only load firearms according to the event rules when participating in events.

6. Targets – The Chapter provides & maintains target stands/backers for member use. SHOOTERS MAY ONLY USE PAPER or CARDBOARD TARGETS MOUNTED on the TARGET STANDS PROVIDED BY THE CHAPTER. Do Not shoot the uprights holding up the target stands/backings. Shooters are responsible to bring their own staple gun to post targets and are responsible to remove targets and other trash when finished shooting. All shooting must be aimed, using the gun sights.

7. PROHIBITED ACTIONS: The use of .50 BMG, non-aimed hip firing, spraying, bump firing, full auto, or other uncontrolled firing is prohibited. The use of ground targets, the 200-yard range, hunting, alcohol/drug use when handling firearms, or any other unlawful or unsafe activity is prohibited. The use of Bay 1, Bay 2, Hip shooting, “moving firing lines,” etc. is generally prohibited unless during a sanctioned event or otherwise approved by the board with proper safety protocols in place.

8. Only BIRD SHOT is to be used on the Upper shotgun ranges (Trap/Skeet/Patterning Board Area, etc.) Only SINGLE PROJECTILE AMMUNITION is to be used on the rifle/pistol ranges. (No birdshot, buck shot, etc. – shotgun slugs are OK on the rifle/pistol ranges)

9. No persons are allowed down range when live firing is occurring. A cease fire must be called and coordinated before anyone goes down range to retrieve/post targets etc. No one is permitted to touch any firearms when persons are down range. All firearms must be unloaded, with actions open before persons are allowed down range.

D. Membership With Gate & Rifle/Pistol Range Access:

1. Membership with Range & Gate Access is an additional privilege granted members age 18 or older. A gate access card will not be issued to a member until a gate/range access orientation is completed and the payment of an additional $50.00 annual fee. Gate access cards are valid from January 1st through December 31st of each year and will be deactivated if not renewed.

2.  Each Gate Access Card is assigned to a specific member and IS NOT permitted to be shared. Members with a Gate Access Card are required to have their access card with them whenever using the rifle/pistol ranges or whenever accessing the Dubuque IWLA grounds other than during sponsored chapter activities. Members Are Not permitted to park outside the gate or to access the range without their Gate Access Card.

3.  Members with a Gate Access Card are responsible to strictly adhere to range and chapter rules, to observe accepted range safety standards, and to ensure that others abide by the range rules and safety standards.

4.  Members with a Gate Access Card are responsible to ensure the gate is completely closed so the electronic lock engages whenever they close the gate. Generally, the gate should be left in the condition it was in when the member arrives. If it was closed, close & lock the gate behind you. If the gate is open for an activity, it should be left open.

5.  All or portions of the Dubuque Chapter IWLA facilities/ranges may be closed periodically for activities. Members with a Gate Access Card are responsible to check the Dubuque IWLA Calendar before using the range or other facilities to avoid conflicts with scheduled events which may close all or part of the facilities.

6.  Guests - Members with a Gate Access Card are only allowed to bring guests to use the facilities after receiving permission from a chapter board member. Permission may be requested via email to DubuqueIWLA@gmail.com and the Member MUST receive a response granting the permission. Members with a Gate Access Card are responsible to ensure that all persons with them understand and abide by the range rules, etiquette, and safety measures. Generally, Members with a Gate Access Card may only bring two guests at a time and should not bring the same guest more than three times per year. Guests who wish to come more often are encouraged to join the Dubuque IWLA. If the frequent guest is a member’s spouse or child (living at home), the member should upgrade their membership to a family membership.

Revised and Adopted October 2026