Range profile
Dragoon Trail Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America (Ankeny Ikes)
The short version
Dragoon Trail Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America (Ankeny Ikes) is a member-based outdoor shooting complex in Elkhart, Iowa, offering year-round pistol, rifle, and trap facilities alongside a busy public competition schedule.
The hits
- Varied covered shooting bays including 100-, 50-, and 35-yard ranges plus four trap fields
- Year-round member access with gate-card entry from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Busy public competition schedule spanning USPSA, IDPA, Steel Challenge, and weekly trap
- Clean, spacious rural property with tall berms and an active volunteer staff
- Event registration priority and facility discounts for members
The misses
- Longest rifle range capped at 100 yards, shorter than some regional alternatives
- Limited parking during large events due to habitat preservation priorities
- Daily access is members-only; public shooting largely restricted to scheduled open events
About Dragoon Trail Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America (Ankeny Ikes)
Dragoon Trail Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America, commonly known as the Ankeny Ikes, operates a private outdoor shooting complex on 4857 NE 110th Avenue in Elkhart, Iowa. The facility functions as a member-driven conservation organization that pairs recreational shooting with habitat preservation, offering year-round access to cardholders alongside a busy schedule of public competitions and training events.
The range infrastructure includes one 100-yard outdoor rifle range, three 50-yard ranges, one 35-yard range, and four trap fields, all situated under covered shelters in a rural setting east of the Des Moines metro. Members receive an electronic gate card that unlocks the property from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily, extending well past daylight hours, while the general public is invited to Tuesday night trap shooting from 6 p.m. until close. Throughout the year the chapter also opens its grounds to competitors and spectators for USPSA, Multi-gun, IDPA, Steel Challenge, and 5-Stand matches, as well as seasonal trap leagues and special events such as the Iowa Games Trap Shooting competition.
Visitors and members regularly highlight the cleanliness, safety standards, and thoughtful layout of the property. Reviews repeatedly cite spacious shooting bays with tall berms, covered shelters, and a well-kept clubhouse surrounded by open lawn. Several guests note that the location feels nicely removed into the countryside while remaining close enough to nearby lodging and highway access for traveling training groups. The volunteer-led staff receives frequent praise for organizing a match calendar that rivals any other central Iowa range, giving shooters ample opportunity to train or compete beyond casual lane use. The chapter’s conservation ethos is also noticeable in the physical footprint: rather than paving extensive lots, the organization dedicates land to wildlife habitat and shooting activities, which preserves the country atmosphere that many guests say distinguishes the facility from typical public ranges.
That commitment to habitat does create practical constraints. Parking can be tight during large gatherings such as high school trap meets, and the longest rifle bay tops out at 100 yards, which is shorter than some regional alternatives. Additionally, day-to-day facility access is reserved for members, meaning unaccompanied public use outside designated open events is not available. For those who join, the chapter offers registration priority for events, facility discounts, and the flexibility to shoot across multiple disciplines in a single visit. The overall experience is that of an active, well-maintained outdoor club where volunteers prioritize both shooter safety and environmental stewardship.
Recurring feedback
What visitors consistently mention
- Range Maintenance and Safety - recurring feedback cites clean, well-organized bays and consistent safety standards
- Competition Culture - visitors frequently note the dense calendar of matches and the welcoming volunteer staff who run them
- Conservation Setting - the rural atmosphere and habitat preservation are regularly cited as defining strengths
- Access and Capacity Limits - periodic comments reference the 100-yard rifle cap, constrained parking at high-traffic events, and the private membership model