Membership Applications are Currently Open
Junior Membership:
Please visit the Junior Section Page for more information.
Adult membership:
Whether you are an experienced Shooter or new to the sport, we are happy to have you on board.
Please feel free to contact the Club's Membership Secretary if you have any questions or queries about the Club and the joining process.
As a Home-Office approved club, we have to adhere to the procedures and processes set down by the Government and Police.
Procedure for onboarding new members:
If you wish to join the club, please click the 'Download Form' button above to access the appropriate form and instructions for completion. This is not the full application form needed to join the club, instead this document serves to collect only enough information for the required Police background checks.
By submitting your details, you are confirming that you are not prohibited under Section 21 of the Firearms Act from possessing Weapons or Ammunition. More information here.
Your details will be provided to the Dorset Police Firearms & Explosives Licensing Unit (FELU) for background checks. If you have had a Shotgun or Firearms certificate application refused, or a revocation of either in the past, please do tell us in the first instance. Please be advised that Police background checks may return a result that could prevent your membership application from proceeding further.
Once the Police checks have been successfully completed, the full application form will be sent to you for completion. Once you submit the completed full application form back to us, you will be invited to attend an interview with one of the Management Committee Officers at the club. This will give us an opportunity to meet you, understand your shooting experience, and show you the club facilities.
Once you have attended your interview, you will be asked to return to the club to attend a mandatory safety briefing session. This involves safe handling of firearms, learning the club safety rules and a trial shoot using club equipment. There is no charge for this session.
After the safety briefing session is completed and we are satisfied that you are safe to shoot, you will be sent a request for payment of the club annual membership subscription fee (pro rata to the month of joining) plus a one-off new joiners fee.
Once your payment has been received, you will then be a probationary member of the club. The minimum legal probationary period is three months, but is usually longer as the club requires at least ten attendances to shoot before a probationary member may be considered for full membership. Probationers who have failed to attend ten times in six months will have their applications reviewed by the committee. If you cannot attend ten times in six months, please let us know why, your probation period may be extended if necessary at the Committee’s discretion.
During the probationary period you will be guided (as required) and continually assessed for safety. Depending on your shooting experience, we can provide additional support through mentoring with an experienced member of the club to help you improve your shooting. We are a very friendly club and you will not lack support.
Please note that probationary membership can be terminated by the committee at any time if there are concerns about safety or conduct.
After a minimum of three months and having attended ten times, you can apply for full membership. The Committee will consider your ability to shoot safely and your conduct in the club. The Committee will decide whether to grant you full membership, or extend your probation if there are any concerns. Full membership means that you can vote at the Annual General Meeting.