Everyone I’ve ever taken shooting at an outdoor range loved the adventure. If you’re new to shooting, though, going by yourself can be an intimidating experience fraught with worry and uncertainty. No problem! We’ll make sure we cover everything you need to know to have a fun, safe and non-nerve-wracking experience.
Outdoor ranges fall into a few categories: clubs, public ranges and private property. Since private property won’t have other shooters or supervision, we’ll focus on the first two types. Both clubs and public ranges can be supervised or unsupervised. What I mean by “supervised” is that a designated Range Safety Officer (RSO) is on duty to keep an eye on things and to make sure everyone is behaving safely.
As with any new activity, you need to know two things: the rules and the etiquette. Rules and procedures keep everyone safe. Etiquette keeps everyone civil and facilitates fun (less the anxiety). If you’re being safe and taking actions to show other shooters that you’re being safe, you’ve already covered most of the requirements. If you know the unwritten rules, or etiquette, everyone else will love having you there and all will have a good time.
Read the rest: What to Expect Your First Time at an Outdoor Range – USCCA
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