McMiller Sports Complex

We (Heather, Scott Z, Dan, Suzie, Suzie's dad Steve and myself) enter the parking lot, there are over 100 cars lined up, packing both sides.  Wow, what a popular place to be.  Then Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom.  Sounds like the finale of a fireworks show but there is not a spectacular light show in the sky instead we are at a shooting range a week before deer hunting season opens.

We have been to McMiller's Shooting Center Sports complex many times in the past...starting back when the kids were really young they always enjoyed shooting at clay pigeons.  I couldn't find the pictures from the 80s but I did find these two, different times by how we are dressed.  No membership is required, its open to the public and located in Eagle, Wisconsin.

Its fun to compare these to what follows..how the place has changed ovr the years..even the color of the trash can!!!


What is needed to go skeet shooting?  There was a box and a half of leftover clay pigeons (5 inch clay discs) from a previous outting but Dan purchased a couple more boxes and some gun shells the night before.  I asked Kyle permission to use his  break-action 20 gauge and Dan brought his along too.  We brought along stylist protection for eyes and ears  (since its needed for each person whether they are shooting or just watching).  McMiller charged $9.00 a person to use the range for an hour.  Pick out a couple stalls and 3, 2, 1 FIRE!

This was Scott Z's first time skeet shooting but he was confident because of his wii and xbox shooting expertise.  So he took his first shot and shattered the clay!

Heather still has her brace on but that didn't prevent her from squeezing the trigger.

Ow, was Suzie's first comment after firing her gun.  The kick back hurt.  Her dad suggested she hold it tigher against her to avoid the hard recoil.    She must have adjusted because she never mentioned it again.

My turn.  It was fun, and you feel like such a hunter without killing anything!!  Here is some more info.  Each 20 gauge shotgun holds two shells and after firing, you move the release, bend or break open the barrel and the shells fly out...or if you break it slower you can simply pull out the spent shell and replace them.

Everyone shot and then we made it a competition (of course we did!).  One person shouts "Pull" and one person releases one or two clays, then a second later the other puller releases another one.  Two shooters fire.  "How can you tell if your shot is the one that hit the clay?"  Hmmm, try and watch your shot, or wait until someone tells you... was the response.

Steve, an air force and army veteran, chose not to fire the shotgun at the clays, instead he had brought along a couple pistols to use at the 25 yard range.  Sorry I have no idea what kind but they did have a magazine that I watched him load.  The cost for the pistol/gun range was $11.00 for an hour.  A paper target costs .50 and you head over to either the 25, 50, 75 or 100 yard range.  There is also a price for all day shooting and also a 200 and 300 yard range that costs $17.00 for an hour).

We were all impressed as we watched him destroy the bullseye.

Overall what a fun day, everyone had a great time!  Of course its always more fun when you succeed at something, and everyone had success at shattering a clay disk flying through the air or showing that even after a few years no target is safe.

Here are a few other weapons that we saw being used.

McMiller's also has a 3D archery range, a shooting clay walking course and a plinking range.  It has a pro shop and is open almost every day, all year round.  Their website has specific information on times.  www.mcmillershootingcenter.com