Well my range is only a mile from home, so I dont have to go far. Gas on the other hand is $3.69 a gallon here, cheaper than some others on here, but still darn expensive. I really dread what its gonna cost to drive to Ohio and hunt this fall. I learned a lesson several years ago when going to Ohio I fill up in Sikeston MO, that way I can drive through ILL and not have to buy gas until I get to IND, gas way to high in ILL.

I guess I never realized how lucky I am having my own range and then being able to hunt my property and the National Forest that I butt up too. Gas is crazy in Wisconsin but it does seem to be finally coming down in price. As for driving a lot.. my truck was new in 06 and I finally turned 18,000 miles on it. I just don't go no where unless absolutely necessary.

Do these ranges charge fees? I know the private ranges around me are rather expensive.

The range I go to is a public range and the fee is $5.00 for a 1 day permit or $20.00 for a 1 year permit that runs from July 31 thru July 31 of the next year. So if you were to get a 1 year permit right now, it would expire on July 31 of this year. The DNR was there yesterday checking permit's. You don't want to get caught there without a permit. I forget how much the fine is but I'm pretty sure it is over $200.00.

I'll be honest, I don't shoot my MLs like I used to.

I have to drive about 45 mins to the closest public range-which I won't visit anymore due to the amount of crazies that frequent the facility. So I drive to my buddie's land which is about an hour. It cost more, but I do not have the fear that some 18 year old punk w/an AK is going to accidently shoot me.

95% of my shooting now-a-days is w/a 10/22. I can shoot in my back yard and shoot about 200 times for $6. My buddies and I just have friendly competitions and shoot for small groups.

MLs are still my 'first love' and will always be my pick for hunting but money is tight and so you have to adjust.