Range Safety & Etiquette
Whether you're shooting trap & skeet, rifle or bow, every range will have a series of guidelines you are expected to follow without fail at all times. For the safety of you and everyone around, you need to know the rules and commands specific to the range you're attending well before stepping out onto the range for live shooting.
Many shooting ranges have similar rules and commands. Firearm owners can check out these posts from the NRA regarding common range commands and tips for great range etiquette to quickly familiarize themselves ahead of their first trip to the gun range.
Regardless of the type of weapon you're getting reps with, getting accustomed to handling yourself and your equipment safely and politely is one of those things you just have to learn by doing. And to do that correctly requires someone knowledgeable on hand to guide you and prevent potentially dangerous beginner mistakes.
For that, we'll refer you to a local, trained professional. With possible exception to free, public-sponsored outdoor archery ranges, just about every facility you can find in your area should offer some form of group and/or private beginner instruction. While we understand everyone's financial situation is unique, the value of good one-on-one instruction for new shooters cannot be overstated. You would be amazed what even one or two lessons can do for your form, confidence, and (perhaps most importantly) ability to self-diagnose your own errors moving forward.
While we understand everyone's financial situation is unique, the value of proper one-on-one instruction for new shooters cannot be overstated. It's worth paying for. You would be amazed what even one or two lessons can do for your form, confidence, and (perhaps most importantly) ability to self-diagnose your own errors moving forward.
You'll notice there's no lesson on shooting instruction in Whitetail 101. That's on purpose.
We'll show you how to find reliable instruction in your area if you don't have someone in your life who can safely teach you. In the coming lessons, we're also going to provide ideas for tapping into the local hunting community through clubs and nonprofit organizations. This can often lead organically to valuable mentorships and new hunting opportunities, which can open up an entire world of possibilities that once seemed nonexistent.
We urge you to consider booking at least one lesson to start, especially if you have no shooting experience. Not only will a qualified instructor help you with shooting form and technique; they'll also help prevent you from committing dangerous errors on the range.
There's simply no substitute for someone seeing the mistakes you're making and helping you to understand and correct them in real time. If you choose not arrange for private instruction, make certain someone at the range knows you're new to shooting. Upon entry, ask for explicit instruction to avoid getting kicked out or worse.
Archers and firearm owners watch the video below for more tips.
Next Steps
Complete the next lesson, "Tips For Adjusting Your Sites" before heading to the range.
Links cited in this video:
http://academyarcheryclub.com/club-rules-range-commands/
https://myfwc.com/hunting/safety-education/shooting-ranges/safety-rules/
https://www.nrafamily.org/articles/2018/6/25/gun-range-etiquette/
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/winchester-super-target-target-load-shotshells
http://azarcheryclub.com/services/membership/
Photo credits in this video:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Meari_Shooting_Range_(14294949531).jpg
Disclaimer
Except where expressly otherwise stated, Sportsman 101, its owners, personalities, guests or affiliates are not employees, members or agents of any government organization. Said company, owners, personalities, guests and affiliates are not registered attorneys or legal professionals, licensed physicians, or any other profession which would qualify them to provide legal, health or safety advice; especially when said advice contradicts the advice of any legal, health or safety professional.
The views, opinions, instruction and examples provided throughout this course are designed to make the research and learning processes easier and more accessible to every student. They are NOT substitutes for students doing their own research with regard to matters concerning the health, safety and legal compliance of themselves and/or any associated persons or property.
While the safety, well-being and good legal standing of its students and the people/property around them are the very top priorities of the company, neither Sportsman 101 LLC nor any of its owners, personalities, guests or affiliates will be held liable for damages resulting in physical, psychological, financial or legal harm to any student, person or property; even as a direct result of implementing instruction found in this course. Health, safety and legal compliance are the sole responsibility of the students themselves.
Sportsman 101 is not affiliated with any accredited school, high school, college, university or other higher education institution. By purchasing this course, students are not enrolled at a state or federally recognized institution. The lessons provided herein are for the personal enjoyment and enrichment of those who choose to complete them, and the examples and materials provided are strictly for illustrative purposes. These examples are not meant to construe actual laws or regulations in real time, as such laws and regulations vary widely by state, province, region and country; and all laws are subject to change. No example should be considered legal advice, even if said example illustrates a law, regulation, or common practice in your specific state, country or region. Do your research. Know the law.
This course and any other offered now or in the future from Sportsman 101 was designed to make outdoor recreation more accessible to more people by teaching them HOW TO LEARN about best practices, local regulations, etc. NOT by teaching students any specific practice, regulation, law, etc.
Sportsman 101 uses state- or region-specific examples to illustrate common practices and/or regulations as a means of assisting students who may not know what to expect or where to begin their research. The research process may often begin with information and/or examples found in this course, but it should never end here.
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Participating in outdoor recreation of any kind can pose legal, health and safety risks. Hunting is no exception, and often represents an even greater degree of challenges and risks. The responsible sportsman/woman is one who takes ownership for the safety and well-being of themselves and those around them.