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Mountain Country Rod & Gun Club
Mountain Country Rod & Gun Club

Panther Top Shooting Range

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The Panther Top Shooting Range is located in western Cherokee County, NC. Although located on U.S. Forestry Service (USFS) land, maintenance of the range remains the responsibility of the Mountain Country Rod & Gun Club. Without the club’s involvement, the range would cease to exist.

The facility consist of a 25-yard handgun range and a 100-yard rifle range. Shooting tables and benches are under a covered pavilion with a concrete floor. A graveled covered area is provided for parking and a toilet is available.

A day use fee of $5.00 is required by the USFS; however, annual passes can be obtained for $30. Passes can be purchased online. Due to weak cellular reception at the range, it is recommended passes be purchased before visiting the site. USFS officers make periodic visits to the range to enforce the use fee requirement.

Purchase pass

NOTE: Being a MCR&GC member does NOT excuse anyone from paying the range use fee. The fee is mandated by the U. S. Forestry Service.

DIRECTIONS: From Murphy, Take US 64 West approximately seven miles. Turn right onto Ranger Road (NC 1300). Turn right onto Panther Top Road. Once the pavement turns to gravel, turn right onto a side road where a sign indicates it leads to the range. At that point, follow the signs to the range entrance.

From the West: Take US 64 East (approximately 12 miles east of the Tennessee state line) and turn left onto NC 294. After 0.8 miles, turn right onto Panther Top Road. Once the pavement turns to gravel, turn right where a sign indicates it leads to the range. At that point, follow the signs to the range entrance.

RANGE RULES

  1. Firearms being brought TO OR FROM the pavilion must be unloaded with THE ACTION OPEN AND THE MAGAZINE OUT. This can only be done while the range is under a range HOT command. All firearms must always be pointed in a safe direction AT ALL TIMES.
  2. When the range is HOT, firearms can ONLY be loaded at the firing line if placed on the provided shooting benches and POINTED DOWNRANGE. Pistols are to be loaded at the firing line while being held above and standing behind the provided shooting bench and pointed downrange.
  3. When the range is COLD, all firearms will have the action open and the magazine out and placed in the provided racks. NO FIREARM IS TO REMAIN LOADED, LEFT ON THE SHOOTING BENCH, OR BE HANDLED WHILE PEOPLE ARE DOWNRANGE.
  4. HEARING AND EYE PROTECTION IS MANDATORY FOR EVERYONE ON THE FIRING LINE WHENEVER THE RANGE IS HOT.
  5. Any “CEASE FIRE” or “RANGE COLD” command is to be obeyed immediately. Accordingly, clear your action and remove the magazine. No firearm is to remain loaded while the range is COLD. If people are to be downrange during this command firearms are to be placed in the provided racks with the actions open, the magazine removed, and the muzzle up.
  6. Never leave firearms or ammunition unattended or unsupervised.
  7. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED ON ANY PORTION OF THE RANGE PROPERTY.
  8. When not shooting, any long gun placed in the rifle racks must be done so muzzle up, the bolt action open and magazine removed.
  9. NO CANS OR BOTTLE TARGETS ARE ALLOWED.
  10. Skeet, trap, shooting of sporting clays or the use of any type of aerial target is strictly prohibited.
  11. The use of exploding targets (e.g. TanneriteTM, etc.) is strictly prohibited.
  12. DO NOT TOUCH SOMEONE’S FIREARM UNLESS YOU HAVE THEIR PERMISSION.
  13. Properly dispose of all litter, targets and shell casings.
  14. Return all target stands to the shelter.