Durham County Wildlife Club (DCWC) is a private, member-run outdoor sporting club at 3616 Hopson Road in Morrisville, North Carolina, in the Research Triangle Park area near Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The property covers ninety-six acres, including an eleven-acre stocked fishing lake with picnic tables, a large clubhouse, and forty acres of woods. The club gate is open to the public on Saturdays from 11 AM to 3 PM and Sundays from 1 PM to 5 PM.
Shotgun shooting is the part of the club open to non-members. The club has seven shotgun fields: fields one and two are trap (field two lighted), fields three through six are skeet (fields four, five and six lighted), and field seven is a five stand sporting clays field with 28 machines. The trap fields and Skeet Field #6 are open to the public during club hours. The sporting clays field is not open to the public, though instructors give lessons to non-members and members. Shot larger than 7-1/2 is prohibited on the shotgun fields, and eye and ear protection must be worn.
The pistol range has a covered, poured concrete firing line with fixed target positions at 7-1/2, 12, 25, 50 and 100 yards. It is not open to the public. It accepts pistols firing traditional pistol cartridges up to .50 AE and .22 rimfire rifles; centerfire rifles, black powder rifles and fully automatic weapons (or devices simulating full-auto fire) are not allowed. Informal competitions include falling plate, IDPA-style and PPC, with Tuesday evening events currently on hold. Members who use the pistol range must complete a pistol safety class and pass the club's pistol safety test. The club also has a 20-acre "Walk in the Woods" archery range with a 28-target NFAA-certified field course, Olympic-style targets, 3-D animal targets and a broadhead practice area. It is for members only, and the club hosted an NCFAA tournament series in 2020.
Instruction is offered by NSSA-certified skeet instructors and NSCA-certified sporting clays instructors to members and non-members. Students do not need their own gun, because teaching shotguns are provided at no cost during shotgun instruction. Pistol and .22 rifle instructors teach NRA First Steps and a concealed carry course. Archery instruction is member-to-member. The club also hosts an NRA Women on Target Instructional Shooting Clinic open to the public, with the next session on October 3, 2026 (advance registration required). A club shop with shooting supplies is open when the gate is open to the public.
Membership is open to adults 18 and older and covers the applicant's family. Members get access to all ranges, the lake, social events and instructional events, and clays-certified members can join fun matches of 75 or 100 birds scheduled three times a week. New applicants are encouraged to visit on a public day and ask the shop for a tour before applying.
At a glance
Range type: Outdoor, Pistol, Shotgun, Archery, Training / Classes
Distances: Pistol: fixed target positions at 7-1/2, 12, 25, 50 and 100 yards from a covered, poured concrete firing line. Shotgun: seven fields (trap fields 1-2, skeet fields 3-6, five stand sporting clays field 7). Skeet stations are on a 21-yard radius semi-circle.
Access: Open to the public
Good to know: Memberships available · Beginner friendly · Family friendly · Hosts competitions
Services, training & programs
Public trap shooting on fields 1 and 2 during club hours (field 2 lighted)
Public skeet shooting on Skeet Field #6 during club hours
Skeet fields 3-6 for members (fields 4, 5 and 6 lighted)
Five stand sporting clays field with 28 machines (members only)
Sporting clays fun matches of 75 or 100 birds three times a week for clays-certified members
Pistol range with fixed targets at 7-1/2, 12, 25, 50 and 100 yards (members only)
Informal pistol competitions: falling plate, IDPA-style, PPC (Tuesday events currently on hold)
20-acre archery range with NFAA-certified 28-target field course (members only)
Olympic-style and 3-D animal archery targets and broadhead practice range
Archery tournaments and shoots listed on the events calendar
Skeet lessons from NSSA-certified instructors (members and non-members)
Sporting clays lessons from NSCA-certified instructor (members and non-members)
Free teaching shotguns for students during shotgun instruction
NRA First Steps pistol and .22 rifle instruction
Concealed carry course instruction
New member Safety Class and Pistol Safety Class (invitation basis, monthly)
NRA Women on Target Instructional Shooting Clinic, open to public (October 3, 2026)
Club shop with shooting supplies
Stocked 11-acre fishing lake with picnic tables
Clubhouse, social events and instructional events
Amenities
Clubhouse
Pro Shop
Pricing at Durham County Wildlife Club
Range fees & day rates
Public trap / skeet range fees: Contact for pricing — Trap fields and Skeet Field #6 are open to the public during club hours (Sat 11am-3pm, Sun 1pm-5pm). Fees are not published on the website; call the shop at (919) 544-1306.
Memberships
Family: $225 — $225 annual dues in subsequent years, payable by posted date in January. One-time $375 initiation fee. Total first payment: Jan 1-Mar 31 $600 (initiation plus full-year dues); Apr 1-Jun 30 $550; Jul 1-Sep 30 $495; Oct 1-Dec 31 $660 (initiation plus prorated dues for following year). Applicants must be 18+. Cash or check only; credit cards not accepted.
Covers primary applicant, spouse and dependent children (under 21 in same household as of Jan 1)
Access to shotgun fields (trap, skeet, five stand sporting clays)
Pistol range access after completing Safety Class and Pistol Safety Class
Archery range access
Fishing lake and clubhouse
Social and instructional events
Senior (age 65+): $150 — $150 annual dues in subsequent years. One-time $375 initiation fee. Total first payment: Jan 1-Mar 31 $525; Apr 1-Jun 30 $490; Jul 1-Sep 30 $450; Oct 1-Dec 31 $565. Cash or check only.
Same member access as Family tier
Senior defined as age 65 as of Jan 1 of the dues year
Full-time College Student: $225 — $225 annual dues in subsequent years. Students are not included in a family membership and must be enrolled full-time. Total first payment: Jan 1-Mar 31 $225; Apr 1-Jun 30 $175; Jul 1-Sep 30 $115; Oct 1-Dec 31 $285. Cash or check only.
Member access as a full-time enrolled college student
Exempt from the initiation fee while enrolled full-time
Training & classes
NRA Women on Target Instructional Shooting Clinic: See class calendar — Open to the public; October 3, 2026; advance registration required.
Skeet instruction (NSSA-certified instructors): Contact for pricing — Offered regularly to members and non-members. Teaching shotguns provided at no cost.
Sporting clays instruction (NSCA-certified instructor): Contact for pricing — Offered regularly to members and non-members. Teaching shotguns provided at no cost.
NRA First Steps (pistol and .22 rifle): Contact for pricing — Taught by club instructors.
Concealed carry course: Contact for pricing — Taught by club instructor.
New member Safety Class and Pistol Safety Class: Included with membership — Invitation only; first Sunday of the month at 1 PM and the following Wednesday at 7 PM. Basic class about an hour; pistol class adds roughly another hour.
Membership payments are cash or check only; bring the check to the Safety Class rather than mailing it. The club gate may be closed to non-members over major holiday weekends and from after Christmas through March 1.
Prices are published by the range and can change — confirm before you visit.
Plan your visit
What to bring: Eye and ear protection (required on the fields), your shotgun and shells if not taking instruction. Bring cash or check for membership payments; credit cards are not accepted.
Ammo policy: Pistol range: traditional pistol cartridges up to .50 AE and .22 rimfire rifles only; no centerfire rifles, black powder rifles, fully automatic weapons or devices simulating full-auto fire. Shotgun fields: shot larger than 7-1/2 is prohibited (typical loads #7-1/2, #8, #9 for skeet).
Age policy: Membership applicants must be 18 or older; membership covers spouse and dependent children. A public visitor age policy is not published.
Rental requirements: No rental program is advertised; teaching shotguns are provided free to students during shotgun instruction.
First-timer tips: Visit during public gate hours (Sat 11am-3pm, Sun 1pm-5pm), go into the shop, introduce yourself and ask for a tour. Skeet requires an open choke (Cylinder, Skeet or Improved Cylinder); trap typically uses tighter chokes such as Modified or Full. Students taking shotgun instruction do not need their own gun. Call (919) 544-1306 before visiting, as the gate may be closed on major holiday weekends and from after Christmas through March 1.
Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 11am - 3pm
Sunday: 1pm - 5pm
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours and where is the club located?
Durham County Wildlife Club is at 3616 Hopson Road, Morrisville, NC 27560. The gate is open to the public Saturdays 11 AM-3 PM and Sundays 1 PM-5 PM. It is closed to the public Monday through Friday.
Is the club open to the public?
It is a private club, but the trap fields and Skeet Field #6 are open to the public during club hours. The pistol range, sporting clays field and archery range are not open to the public.
How much does it cost to shoot as a non-member?
Public range fees are not published. Call the shop at (919) 544-1306.
Do I need to be a member to take lessons?
No. Skeet and sporting clays instruction by NSSA- and NSCA-certified instructors is offered to members and non-members, and instructors are also available for pistol and archery lessons to non-members and members.
Do I need my own gun for a lesson?
No. Teaching shotguns are provided at no cost to students taking shotgun instruction.
What does membership cost?
There is a one-time $375 initiation fee (waived for full-time college students) plus annual dues. First-year totals range from $115 to $285 for students, $450 to $565 for seniors and $495 to $660 for families depending on join date. Dues in later years are $225 Family, $150 Senior and $225 Student. Cash or check only.
Who is covered by a family membership?
Parents and children under 21 living in the same household as of January 1 of the dues year. Applicants must be 18 or older. College students enrolled full-time are not included in the family membership.
How do I join?
Complete the New Member Application PDF and mail it to the club, without cash or check. Attend an invitation-only Safety Class (first Sunday of the month at 1 PM and the following Wednesday at 7 PM) and bring your check. Those using the pistol range also stay for the Pistol Safety class. Do not bring family members to the Safety Class.
What ammunition and firearms are allowed?
On the pistol range: pistol cartridges up to .50 AE and .22 rimfire rifles. No centerfire rifles, black powder rifles or full-auto weapons. On shotgun fields, shot larger than 7-1/2 is prohibited.
Is eye and ear protection required?
Yes, eye and ear protection must be worn on the fields.
Does the club offer women's or beginner programs?
Yes. The NRA Women on Target Instructional Shooting Clinic is open to the public; the next is October 3, 2026, with advance registration required. NRA First Steps pistol and .22 rifle instruction is also offered.
What other activities does the club have?
A 20-acre archery range with an NFAA-certified 28-target field course (members only), an 11-acre stocked fishing lake, a club shop with shooting supplies, and social events.
Can the club be closed on certain days?
Yes. The gate may be closed to non-members over major holiday weekends and from after Christmas through March 1.