About Sportsman’s Club of Franklin County
Sportsman’s Club of Franklin County operates as a membership-based outdoor shooting facility on Maquam Shore Road in Swanton, Vermont, serving enthusiasts across Northern Vermont and nearby regions, including visitors from Canada. Positioned as a premier destination for safe and responsible shooting sports, the organization welcomes participants of all ages and skill levels, from beginners seeking introductory instruction to experienced competitors looking for structured practice. Advertised disciplines include trap, skeet, five-stand, outdoor archery, and dedicated rifle and pistol bays, supported by a calendar of hosted on-site events and beginner-friendly workshops.
Physical grounds are extensive. Shotgun sports occupy three skeet fields, one trap field, and a five-stand layout, while an outdoor archery course provides additional recreational space. Centerfire and rimfire shooters can use three 12-yard pistol bays, three 25-yard pistol/rifle bays, and one 50-yard pistol/rifle bay, with long-range options extending to 100 and 200 yards. A clubhouse anchors the property, and the facility maintains a safety-first culture across all activities.
Membership is priced at $100 per calendar year and runs strictly from January 1 through December 31 without prorated or rolling enrollment. The plan functions as a family membership, covering a spouse or significant other and children under 18 residing in the same household. Members may bring up to two guests but must remain present with them throughout the visit. Access is controlled through a digital key issued via Kisi, requiring applicants to complete online signup and use a matching email address for both the membership purchase and the mobile credential. Credentials are non-transferable, and sharing or loaning them results in immediate termination. Prospective members can schedule a complimentary 30-minute tour to familiarize themselves with the layout before joining.
One practical limitation is that the club does not supply targets or target stands. The website explicitly states that shooters should treat these as essential personal equipment and should not assume the range will have materials available. Portable steel bases with vertical straps represent a commonly recommended configuration, sourced independently from equipment retailers.
Visitor feedback reflects a consistently positive impression of the facility’s atmosphere and maintenance. Multiple reviewers mention uncrowded conditions, clean bays, and covered outdoor shooting areas, while others emphasize the respectful, community-oriented membership and strong safety culture. The club has also drawn competitive pistol shooters from beyond the immediate region, including one account of a member traveling from Montreal for an IDPA match and classifier. The published review volume remains modest at 19 ratings, and one unexplained three-star review from 2020 stands as an outlier in an otherwise high-rating profile.