Dutch field target association
Information in English, why?
Recently, DFTA has had a number of questions from
UK-based HFT-shooters, inquiring about the possibilities of
shooting FT or HFT during a short holiday. Of course,
most of the information you need is on this website, but
it's written in Dutch. And although Dutch isn't too hard to
read, we think you prefer English. And also, there are some
things we Dutch take for granted, but isn't really that
obvious if you're from the UK. That's why we made this page,
to help you find the info you want. To begin with
Well, let's start with a few common things you need to
know if you think about shooting FT or HFT in the
Netherlands.
- We shoot FT and HFT combined in one course. We just
don't have enough shooters to separate both worlds. That
makes it a little harder for the course-setters.
Shooters are just used to it. But yes, we make jokes
about "the dark side" and FT-shooters always being so
slow. But that's just part of the fun.
- HFT is much more popular in Holland than FT. In
Belgium, it's the other way around.
- There is no legal limit to the power of airguns in
the Netherlands. You just have to be 18 to own one. When
shooting FT or HFT though, we have the same limit as you
have in the UK: 12 footpounds. Or 16,3 Joules, that is.
- We are not allowed to pollute our environment with
lead. That means we have to use boxes to catch pellets
that miss the target. In one club they have even
stricter rules, for they are located in a protected
area. At that club you need to shoot non-toxic; you are
not allowed to shoot lead pellets at all.
- No camo clothing! The Royal Dutch Shooting
Association (KNSA) is very concerned with the appearance
of the sport to the regular public. And, to regular
Dutch people, camo clothing is just too military. Just
deal with it, and wear something else. It saves you time
checking through customs, too.
- We normally shoot 40 targets for HFT, and 50 for FT.
Our clubs
We now have 5 clubs in the Netherlands where you can
shoot FT or HFT. But just one club that's dedicated to FT /
HFT, most of our clubs are firearm ranges where a small
percentage of the members shoot FT or HFT.
FT Schalkhaar near Deventer. This is our
one dedicated FT / HFT club, though they also have the
facilities to shoot 100 meter airgun. Airguns only. They
organise 4 open competions a year, and 2 HFT night shoots.
They have excellent grounds, part forest, part field. The
forest is only used for competitions. Practice sessions are
on the field only. For practice, they are open every Saturday afternoon and
every Tuesday evening, whatever the weather. Except for a
few Saturdays a year, when there's an archery competition on
the field. These exceptions will be announced on the website.
Practice sessions are open for visitors, too. Call or mail
before going.
NFTI Maasvlakte is also an airgun only
club; next to HFT they're very keen on shooting 100 meter
airgun (right, the heavy stuff). They use the same grounds
as a clay pigeon shooting club. Apart from the open 4
competition dates each year, they are usually open for
practice every first and third Sunday of the month. These
practice sessions are for members only, but if you give them
a call or mail them, you're probably welcome to join them.
De Helm in Helmond is basicly a firearms range,
where some of the members shoot FT or HFT. They use the
field next to the indoor firearms range as a shooting
ground. If it wasn't for the very unpredictable wind, it
would be rather boring. Five competition dates a year, and a
Christmas shoot where you can expect the unexpected.
Practice opportunities for members only.
Robin Hood in
Woerden is basicly a firearms and 10 meter airgun range,
where some of the members shoot FT or HFT. As a shooting
ground they use the roof of the indoor firearms range, a
asphalted archery range and partly even indoors! What they
lack in terrain they make up for in enthousiasm and passion
for the sport. Four competition dates a year. Usually the're
open for practice on Saturday afternoons; indoor or outdoor
depending on the weather. Call or mail before going.
Oranje Nassau in Den Haag is one of the
oldest shooting clubs in the Netherlands, dating back to
1875. They have a 50 meter firearm range and an indoor 10
meter airgun range. As for HFT, they are the
new kid on the block. In 2015 some of the members started
shooting HFT to try something new, that attracts younger
shooters.
These guys have a terrain even the largest British clubs
could only dream about, located in the dunes North of Den
Haag. The only drawback is that this is a environmentally
protected area. No lead pellets. Non-toxic only! Oranje
Nassau organises two matches a year.
Although they only just got started, they're very eager to
learn.
Addresses and contact-info for these
clubs.
Belgium
Belgium isn't far away, and both Belgian clubs are very
close to the border. There are 2: Target .177
in Neerpelt and 't Mikpunt in Maasmechelen.
Target .177 is airgun only, 't Mikpunt is mostly a firearms
range. Airgun laws in Belgium are different from those in
Holland, but mostly the same. The most important difference:
you can not have a silencer, whether attached to your rifle
or not.
Adresses and
contact-info for the Belgian clubs.
Germany
Germany has a 7,5 Joule limit, about 5,5 footpound. To
shoot FT or HFT in Germany, you must have a 7,5 Joule rifle (for
which they have a separate class), or you need to have a
Firearms License. Conclusion: Germany is off limits for UK
shooters.
When to shoot
When you're coming over to the Netherlands, the best
thing of course is to join in our competion. See the
shooting calender to learn about the dates in the
Netherlands and Belgium. Registration is mandatory. For
that, we use the Dutch airgun forum, called luchtbuks.net.
Shoots are announced on the forum about one month before the
shooting date, and you need to register through the forum.
Most Dutch airgun shooters have an account on the forum. If
you don't, you can also mail the club you're willing to
register.
Transport
The best way to travel is by ferry; Stena Lines
Harwich-Hook or DFDS Newcastle-IJmuiden. That saves you a
lot of paperwork for checking in your rifles for air travel.
Another thing you need to know is some hotels in the
Netherlands are not very happy about having weapons in the
house. Better let them think they're musical instruments.
Not wearing camo helps, of course.
Gun shops
If you think about combining your trip to the Netherlands
with a visit to a gun shop, there is a useful
list on luchtbuks.net. Pellets are a lot cheaper than in
the UK. Always check before going, the list might not be
accurate.
Anything else?
If you want to know anything else that's not mentioned on
this page, just mail us at
info@dfta.nl.
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