Topic: More Shooting Options: Boise vs Coeur d'Alene Area

[Evergreen]

I have been considering relocating to the Boise area , but still have been considering Coeur d'Alene.  Living in Oregon most of my life, I really am attached to the greenery, forests and mountains.  Even though, Boise looks like a great place to live, I have been attracted to the beauty and lush landscape of the CDA area.  I'm aware CDA is very expensive place to live, which may be another reason I won't live there.. 

The one thing that sucks about living in Western Oregon is lack of places to shoot.  Our local range in THe Dalles was shut down a few months ago, leaving me to drive 1.5 hours to go to a decent range.  Shooting in the forest here is iffy, both with the lack of good backstops, but also lot of people living in rural areas/private land issues.

Anyway, I was wondering which area has more shooting ranges. The Fernan Rod & Gun club looks so spectacular I was at awe after talking with the woman on the phone at the range office.  She says is is open 24-7, there is lighted bays, for night shooting and that the range goes out to 600 yds.  She also was telling me the ranges are well covered when shooting in the rain or snow.    I also see there are lots of nice indoor ranges for shooting during those very cold months.    I haven't yet checked out all the clubs in Boise, but there seems like a good number as well.  Also, I am sure there is a great advantage with finding shooting spots to being near BLM land and having the desert around you. 

I'm just wondering from people's assessment what area they think has better ranges and outdoor areas for shooting: Coeur d'Alene area or Boise.  I suppose you can throw Spokane into the mix, since it is so close in proximity to CDA.

[Nealio]

Well you'll have more places to shoot around Boise for sure.  But that range you mentioned sounds like its top notch, so its quality over quantity I guess. Plus around here you can drive not very far to shoot in the desert.
Your options around Boise (with drive times from Boise) are:

Impact guns           - Indoor range - in Boise
Ten Mile creek         - Public land - South of Boise (15 mins)
Blacks Creek  Range - Outdoor rifle range - South of Boise (20 mins)
Nampa RnGC          - Indoor range - in Nampa (20 mins)
Nampa RnGC           - Outdoor range - South of Nampa (25 mins)
Nourse Range          - Outdoor range - South of Nampa (35 mins)
Kuna desert            - Public land - South of Kuna (40 mins)
Gem Country RnGC   - Outdoor range - East of Emett (45 mins?)
Parma RnGC            - Outdoor range - North of Parma (60 mins?)

There are matches/competitions being ran all the time by at least 1 club every week.  Some weekends all 3 have something.

[tgibson]

I have been considering relocating to the Boise area , but still have been considering Coeur d'Alene.  Living in Oregon most of my life, I really am attached to the greenery, forests and mountains.  Even though, Boise looks like a great place to live, I have been attracted to the beauty and lush landscape of the CDA area.  I'm aware CDA is very expensive place to live, which may be another reason I won't live there.. 

The one thing that sucks about living in Western Oregon is lack of places to shoot.  Our local range in THe Dalles was shut down a few months ago, leaving me to drive 1.5 hours to go to a decent range.  Shooting in the forest here is iffy, both with the lack of good backstops, but also lot of people living in rural areas/private land issues.

Anyway, I was wondering which area has more shooting ranges. The Fernan Rod & Gun club looks so spectacular I was at awe after talking with the woman on the phone at the range office.  She says is is open 24-7, there is lighted bays, for night shooting and that the range goes out to 600 yds.  She also was telling me the ranges are well covered when shooting in the rain or snow.    I also see there are lots of nice indoor ranges for shooting during those very cold months.    I haven't yet checked out all the clubs in Boise, but there seems like a good number as well.  Also, I am sure there is a great advantage with finding shooting spots to being near BLM land and having the desert around you. 

I'm just wondering from people's assessment what area they think has better ranges and outdoor areas for shooting: Coeur d'Alene area or Boise.  I suppose you can throw Spokane into the mix, since it is so close in proximity to CDA.

I have some buddies that live in Spokane, and trust me...they'd love to live down here.  The Fernan range is great for plinking, but you only get out to 600y.  There is one good sized pistol bay, but the rest of them are pretty small.  Ive shot some 3 gun matches there and they are pretty limited on what they can do in the pistol pits.
If you want their contact info, I'll get it for you, but I'm 99% sure I know what they'd tell you.
Adios,
TG