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1The Range Report Summer 2011
Vol. 14 No. 4 Fall 2011
BE PREPAREDTo Have Scouts to Your Range
Bonus: Range Safety & Etiquette Poster
NSSF’s Magazine for Shooting Facilities
Your Next Course:Food Service
Eye-Protection Update
A Task Force to Serve YOU
January 17-20, 2012 SandS Expo & ConvEntion CEntEr LaS vEgaS, nEvada
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3The Range Report Summer 2011 333
8Features
Make Food Your Next CourseSelling food can serve everyone well.By Tom Carpenter
Be PreparedReady yourself to attract and host Boy Scouts.By Michael D. Faw
Update on Eye ProtectionDiscover some options and innovations in shooting glasses.By Carolee Anita Boyles
Proactive ESPsFacilities can help ensure their future with thorough environmental planning.By Chub Eastman
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4 Letter from the EditorDon’t let money slip through your fingersBy Glenn Sapir
Sighting InScoping out news for the shooting range communityBy Glenn Sapir
5
Q&AYour busiest day of the year?By Glenn Duncan and Peggy Long
The Undercover ShooterA long shot in the Northwest
Home on the RangeA task force to serve youBy Zach Snow
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www.nssf.org • www.wheretoshoot.org • www.rangeinfo.org
On the cover:
Boy Scouts are potential short-term, as well as lifelong, customers.
Photo courtesy of Mike Faw
1The Range Report Summer 2011
Vol. 14 No. 4 Fall 2011
BE PREPAREDTo Have Scouts to Your Range
Bonus: Range Safety & Etiquette Poster
NSSF’s Magazine for Shooting Facilities
Your Next Course:Food Service
Eye-Protection Update
A Task Force to Serve YOU
Fall11_RangeReport.indd 1 9/7/11 11:34 AM
Vol. 14 No. 4 Fall 2011
© 2011 National Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Range ReportSM, SHOT Show® and all other trade names, trademarks and service marks of the National Shooting Sports Foundation appearing in this publication are the sole property of the Foundation and may not be used without the Foundation’s prior express written permission. All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
The Range Report Fall 2011
Special Pull-out PosterRange Safety and EtiquetteRemove this centerfold poster and prominently display it at your range.
Bonus
14-15Departments
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18 22
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Letter from the EditorG l e n n S a p i r
AdViSORyCOmmiTTEE
Don Turner - president of NSSF’s Association of Shooting RangesShooting park manager Clark County Shooting ParkNorth Las Vegas, Nev. [email protected]
Robin Ball, ownerSharp Shooting Indoor Range and Gun ShopSpokane, Wash. [email protected]
Brian Danielson, sales manager Meggitt Training SystemsSuwanee, Ga. [email protected]
Glenn Duncan, ownerDuncan’s Outdoor Shop, Inc.Bay City, Mich. [email protected]
Jon Green, director of education and training Gun Owners Action League (GOAL)Northborough, Mass. [email protected]
Bill Kempffer, presidentDeep River Sporting Clays, Inc.Sanford, N.C. [email protected]
Holden Kriss, directorIndian River County Public Shooting RangeSebastian, Fla. [email protected]
Barry Laws, CEOOpenrange Inc.Crestwood, Ky. [email protected]
Phil Murray, national sales managerWhite Flyer Houston, Texas [email protected]
Tim Pitzer, presidentOregon State Shooting AssociationAlbany, Ore. [email protected]
www.nssf.org
The Range Report, published four times per year by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, is dedicated to serving the needs and to helping meet the challenges of today’s shooting facilities.
The Range Report encourages letters, comments, suggestions, questions and tips. Material to be returned should be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. The Range Report does not assume responsibility for the loss of unsolicited graphic or written material. Correspondence should be sent to:
The Range Report c/o NSSF 11 Mile Hill Road Newtown, CT 06470-2359 Fax: 203-426-1245 E-mail: [email protected]
We reserve the right to edit for clarity and space.
Managing Director Mark ThomasEditor Glenn SapirAdvertising Director Ann SiladiArt Director Deb Moran
Letter from the Editor
G l e n n S a p i r
Don’t Let Money Slip Through Your Fingers
If I told you I would give you money—not lend you money, but grant you money—to help your range attract more
customers or potential club members, would you be interested? Interested enough to fill out a form and explain how you would use the money to increase participation at your facility? That sounds easy enough, and the truth is somebody could question your sanity or check your pulse if you didn’t take advan-tage of the offer. For the last three years, the National Shooting Sports Foundation has been making that very offer in the form of Range Partnership Grants. Since the program’s launch in 2008, some $1.17 million has been awarded to 46 ranges. Have you been one of those ranges that has created a proposal and requested funding? This past summer, NSSF announced that it had received 64 proposals requesting $2.8 million for its latest period of grants—an all-time high for the program. From those proposals, 22 were “granted,” for a total of $435,000. When you read numbers like that, don’t you want to get in on the action? And “action” is what these grants are all about. They are not intended for projects such as physical improvements to facilities, but, instead, for the implementation of ideas that will get more people to the firing line. The NSSF Range Grant Program assists qualifying shooting ranges in their efforts to introduce newcomers, reactivate lapsed shoot-ers, encourage active shooters to try another discipline and promote the enjoyment of the shooting sports to people of all ages. The place to learn more about apply-ing for the next round of Range Partnership Grants is www.nssf.org/shooting/grants, at the NSSF website. Here you can obtain the guidelines for the program, which tell who may apply, how much grant funding is available, projects that are eligible—and not eligible—deadlines for completion of projects and how to apply, as well as an explanation of the proposal review-and-selection process. You’ll also read that the source for more information on the program is Melissa A. Schilling, NSSF’s manager of recruit-ment and retention, whose email address is [email protected] and telephone number
is 203-426-1320. The Range Partnership Grant Program belongs under her guidance, for sure, because this funding can play an important role in the recruitment and reten-tion of shooters. In fact, ranges can profit in a way other than gaining funding from this program. The Range Partnership Grant Program is designed to help fund projects that can become models for others. Case studies are posted at the website reference above, and by examining those cases, ranges can not only get a better understanding of projects that may receive funding, but also discover successful ideas that they may be able to implement at their facility. Two such success stories that Schilling likes to point out involve Wyoming Ante-lope Club in St. Petersburg, Fla., and Tripoli Triggers in Williamsport, Pa. The Florida facility needed funding to set up an arcade-type resource in a converted semi-trailer to add another fun factor to shooting that would be especially attractive to youth. It received a grant, and on the opening day of the new “shooting gallery,” 94 visitors gave it a try, many of them with their families. Numerous ranges have called to model their efforts after the Wyoming Antelope Club’s. Worsening economic conditions led to increased crime in small rural communi-ties such as Williamsport, Pa. This helped identify a need for appropriate proactive and strategic response addressing public safety. Tripoli Triggers, an indoor range and train-ing facility, believed increasing its offerings of firearms safety and training classes would help address the problem. It received fund-ing through the grant program, and within two months of its launch, 495 people had participated—a goal the facility had hoped to reach in six months. So, have you read enough to take action? It starts with a visit to www.nssf.org/shooting/grants. It’s a visit that will cost you nothing and has potential great returns, including money in your pocket. Don’t participate, and it’s like money slipping through your fingers.
AdViSORyCOmmiTTEE
Bill Kempffer, president - chairman of NSSF’s Range DivisionDeep River Sporting Clays, Inc.Sanford, N.C. [email protected]
Don Turner, presidentDon Turner Consultant, LLCNorth Las Vegas, Nev. [email protected]
Robin Ball, ownerSharp Shooting Indoor Range and Gun ShopSpokane, Wash. [email protected]
Brian Danielson, sales manager Meggitt Training SystemsSuwanee, Ga. [email protected]
Glenn Duncan, ownerDuncan’s Outdoor Shop, Inc.Bay City, Mich. [email protected]
Jon Green, director of education and training Gun Owners Action League (GOAL)Northborough, Mass. [email protected]
Holden Kriss, directorIndian River County Public Shooting RangeSebastian, Fla. [email protected]
Barry Laws, CEOOpenrange Inc.Crestwood, Ky. [email protected]
Phil Murray, national sales managerWhite Flyer Houston, Texas [email protected]
Stan Pate, presidentOregon State Shooting AssociationAlbany, Ore. [email protected]
Doug VanderWoude, range program managerAcuSport CorporationBellefontaine, Ohio [email protected]
RR
4 The Range Report Fall 2011
5The Range Report Summer 2011 555
Scoping out news for the shooting range communitySighting In Sighting In
By Glenn Sapir, Editor
5
RR
The Range Report Fall 2011
NSSF Releases Report on MSR Owners Ifyourfacilityaccommodatestheuseofmodernsportingrifles(MSRs),thoseriflesbasedontheAR-platform,thenyouwilllikelybeinterestedinthesurveyconductedonbehalfofNSSFbySportsMarketingSurveys.Ifyouhavethecapabil-itytoaccommodatethembutcurrentlydon’toraren’tmakingaspecialefforttoattractusersofMSRs,you
maywishtorethinkyourpolicy. “The‘NSSFModernSportingRifle(MSR)ComprehensiveConsumerReport’s’findingsgiveNSSFabaselineforfutureresearchintotheownershipanduseofthesepopularsportingfirearms,”saidJimCurcuruto,NSSF’sdirectorofindustryresearchandanalysis.“Ourgoalwastolearnmoreaboutthiscategory,andwecertainlydid.” Amongthefindingswere:• Recreationaltargetshooting(8.9out
of10)wastheNo.1-ratedreasonforowningaMSRintermsofimportance.Homedefensewasnext(7.7/10),
followedbycollecting(6.28/10)andvarminthunting(6.23/10).
• 95percentofownerssaidtheyhaveusedtheirMSRsinthelast12months,and29percentofownersshoottheirMSRsmorethanoncepermonth.
• 25percentofownersshotmorethan1,000roundsoutoftheirMSRinthelast12months.
•60percentofMSRownersthatrespondedtothestudyownmultipleMSRs,withtheaverageownedbeing2.6.
• 30percentofallMSRownerspurchasedtheirfirstriflein2009or2010.
• 51percentofMSRownershaveashoot-ing-rangemembership.
• 84percentofMSRownershaveatleast1accessoryontheirrifle,andtheyspendanaverageof$436onafter-marketaccessoriesandcustomization.
Toreadmoreaboutthisstudy,visittheNewsroomatwww.nssf.organdreadtheMay16,2011,pressreleaseonthisstudy.Thecompletereportandadescriptionofthemethodologyusedareavailableatwww.nssf.org/MSR/facts.cfm.
NSSFCustomizedMarketReportsarelocal-marketreportspreparedbyNSSFResearchonspecific,custom-definedtradeareas.Theinformationinthesereportsaidsthepurchaserinunderstandingthecurrentandpotentiallocalmarket,asrelatedtothisindustry. Infact,thisserviceprovidedbytheNationalShootingSportsFoundationwasthetopicofanarticleintheJune/JulyeditionofSHOTBusinessmagazine.Inthatarticle,BradSisson,therangedirectorfortheplannedfacility,TheRangeatLakeNorman,inCornelius,N.C.,stated,“Whenwebeganthejour-neyinJanuary2010ofprovidingtheCharlottemarketwithitsfirststate-of-the-artfirearmsfacility,wewereinneed
ofareportprovidingdemographicsofthemarkettocreateafundablebusinessplan.TheCustomizedMarketReportwasmorethanwehadexpected!TheCMRprovidedusnotonlywithcompeti-tiveinformation,butalsowithatruedemographicsreport,whichwascrucialtoourreceivingabankandanSBAloaninspring2010,whenbankswereveryhesitanttomakeanycommercialloans. AddsJimCurcuruto,NSSFdirectorofindustryresearchandanalysis,“Notonlyaretheseagreatresourceforthoselookingtoopenorexpandtheirbusi-ness,butCMRsarealsowellreceivedbyexistingbusinessownersthatwanttobetterunderstandtheircurrentmarketconditionsduringtheseeconomictimes.
TolearnmoreaboutCustomizedMarketReportsandhowyoucancommis-sionone,contactDianneVrablic,NSSFresearchcoordinator,[email protected],telephone203-426-1320.Thecustomreport,whichcostsnon-NSSFmembers$500,isavailabletoNSSFmembersfor$250.
Display This Poster at Your Facility
Safetyattherange,obviously,isineverybody’sbestinterests.Forpeoplenewtoarangeenvironment,however,whattodoandnotdoisunclear,andthatcanbenotonlyintimidating,butcanalsoendangerthemselvesandothers.NSSF,withtheassistanceofAdvisoryCommitteememberBarryLaws,C.E.O.ofOpenrange,inCrestwood,Ky.,hascreatedavideo,“IntroductiontoRangeSafetyandEtiquette,”whichclearlyexplainsandillustratesthesafetyrulesatarange.ThevideoisaccessiblefromtheNSSFwebsite,www.nssf.org,aswellasatNSSF’sYouTubechannel. Weaskthatyoupleaseremovetheposterfromthecenterofthismaga-zineandprominentlydisplayitatyourrange.
Customized Market Reports Available
6 The Range Report Fall 2011
Your questions answered
Q&AQ&A
In Q & A, The Range Report invites
NSSF’s Association of Shooting Ranges
advisory committee members past and
present, and others with special expertise,
to provide their answers to questions
of interest to our readers. If you have
a question you’d like to see addressed,
submit it to [email protected].
If you would like to comment on the
answers given in this edition’s Q&A, or if
you have related follow-up questions for
this expert, please share your thoughts
at the same e-mail address.
Your Busiest Day of the Year?
Glenn Duncan
OwnerDuncan’s Outdoor Shop
Bay City, Mich.
Peggy Long
General ManagerOrvis Sandanona
Millbrook, N.Y.
66
Q. On what day do you receive the most traffic—and why?
A. Glenn Duncan, owner, Duncan’s Outdoor Shop
The day with the most traffic at our store and range has nothing to do with a special promotion or cut-rate sale. It has everything to do with the calendar and the opening of the deer season. The busiest day for us is always the Monday before the deer season, which in Michi-gan opens on Nov. 14. Most nights our facility closes at 6 p.m., but on Mondays and Wednesdays, we stay open until 9, so more people can come in after work, and they know that as long as they come in the door before closing, we’ll service their needs. People wait until the last minute; that’s human nature, it seems. And when they do come in, it is to buy, sight in and/or have repairs made. We sell and install tons of scopes that day, along with all kinds of other gear. We sell a lot of ammunition to hunters who either have already sighted in their guns and used up more rounds than they antici-
pated, or to hunters who are about to sight in, and they need ammo to accom-plish that and then to hunt. If they’ve already sighted in their guns, these folks may have discovered something that required repair, or they simply may have put something off or forgotten about a need, so our gunsmithing shop is flooded with last-minute requests. Our indoor range features two 50-yard ranges, one 100-yard range and one 200-yard range, so they can sight in right here. We average 160 people sighting in their firearms the Monday before the season opener! We don’t really need to run any specials, but we do air radio and tele-vision commercials in October and November, just to remind people that we’re here. The upcoming deer season takes care of the rest.
A. Peggy Long, General Manager, Orvis Sandanona
What’s our busiest day of the year? Actually, we have two days that qualify as “very busy.” The Saturday after Thanks-giving—where our clubhouse/store is busting at the seams—is an extremely busy day for us, but the day that we get the most traffic is our Annual Family Game Fair and Orvis Cup Weekend in September. This year our Game Fair was held Saturday, Sept. 17, and Sunday, Sept. 18, and we were ready to accom-modate approximately 3,000 spectators, visitors and shooters combined. It is a very traditional outdoor sporting game fair, featuring activities such as hunting-dog and dog-obedience training, fly casting, fly tying, game cooking, birds of prey demonstrations, decoy setting, duck calling, sporting art displays and more. We also have craftsmen at work, including gunsmiths,
engravers, and pencil artists doing sporting dog portraits. Our gourmet food concession is second to none. And, of course, we have the shoot-ing sports. We have a “First Shots” station sponsored by the National Shoot-ing Sports Foundation, where you can try shooting for the first time for free. As matter of fact, all the above is free and open to the public. We have ongoing shooting side events, including sporting clays, 5-Stand, modern skeet and flurry. We also have a special Long Target station set up just for fun, and some of the proceeds are donated to Trout Unlim-ited. Every time you shoot a round at the Long Target, you earn a raffle ticket toward one of the Caesar Guerini guns we give away. Our Main Event Orvis Cup fun compe-tition is held Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. sharp. At this event in 2011, we gave away two Caesar Guerini shotguns. One was drawn from the “high over all” and “first in each class” shooters. The other winner was drawn from all other Orvis Cup participants. So it did not matter what score you shot; you had a chance to win one of the two guns. With partners like Barbour, Caesar Guerini Guns, Purina, Ducks Unlimited, French Creek Labradors, NSSF, Garden & Gun Magazine, Davidoff Cigars and the Scotch Malt Whiskey Society, we had every right to expect a very successful event this year. It is a great fall day outdoors in the beautiful country side of Millbrook, N.Y., where the entire family can enjoy the sporting lifestyle. On any other day we are open to the public for shooting lessons, sporting clays, fly-casting lessons, guided fishing, corporate outings and much more. For more information please visit our website at www.orvis.com/sandanona. RR
Peggy Long
General ManagerOrvis Sandanona
Millbrook, N.Y.
Today’s modern sporting rifles (MSR) are just another step in the evolution of the tools hunters and target shooters use to enjoy our sports.
These rifles may not look like granddad’s, but some of your tools probably don’t look much like his either.
Packed with hunt-specific features and
chambered in popular hunting calibers, modern sporting rifles are an excellent choice for a wide variety of hunting from varmint to big game.
Outstanding accuracy, ergonomic features and light recoil have made the modern sporting rifle the rifle of choice for both veteran and novice shooters at rifle clubs across the country, at the national matches held each summer at Camp Perry, and in the exciting, challenging, and highly-evolved sport of 3-gun competition.
They may not look like grandpa’s old rifle, but, then again, neither does your drill.
Modern sporting rifleNational shooting sports Foundation®
Learn more about the modern sporting rifle at www.nssf.org/msr
...But the Purpose Remains the Same.
The Tools and Times May Change...
Scan this QR code with your Smartphone for
more information on the modern
sporting rifle
Make Food Your Next CourseSelling food can serve everyone well
By Tom Carpenter
The idea of combining a shooting range with an eating establish-ment makes sense on many
levels. People have to eat. Why not generate that revenue instead of letting it go down the street? If your range is isolated, food is a particularly attrac-tive service for shooters. Either way, a restaurant, cafe or snack bar can boost profits. Furthermore, providing a place where customers can sit down and rest while eating a snack or meal keeps them around for more shoot-ing afterward. Your range becomes a complete destination. Of course, opening an eating establishment is easier said than done. Some ranges have done it success-fully, however, and their examples provide important ideas and guidelines for other ranges that are considering adding food to their offerings. Miles Hall, founder and owner of H&H Shooting Sports Complex in Oklahoma City, Okla., took the food plunge and found success. Another range with food in its offerings is Arizona Shooter’s World in Peoria, Ariz., managed by Don Gallardo. Let their experiences and insights guide your foray into food service at your range.
The idea stage How did the idea to combine food and shooting happen? “We began to look at our shooting range as a place for entertainment,” said
Hall. “When you think that way, your business goes in new directions. And entertainment usually includes food. “We started by looking for places to park soda and candy machines,” Hall reflected, “but the concept grew from there. We were lucky: We had a chef who liked to shoot here. With his help, we started small, but then it took off.” For Arizona Shooters World, the idea for serving food came early in the
facility’s young history. “At Arizona Shooters World, we started back in early summer,” said Gallardo. “We were just opening this location, and we knew it would be busy, with waits for lanes. People would need something to do. Why not someplace to eat? It’s also great for people taking classes – they can have a meal or break right on site instead of having to drive some-
8 The Range Report Fall 2011
9The Range Report Fall 2011
where and come back.”
Beginnings The H&H eatery started small in 1999, with a snack-bar area, grill and limited menu. “In less than three years, we went to phase two, with a larger area,” said Hall. The most recent expansion to the eating area was in March of this year,
to the full-service 4U Cafe. “The floor plan is open,” he continued. “You can see right back to where the cooks are preparing the food. We use only fresh meat, potatoes and onions. Nothing is frozen.” The H&H commitment to excel-lent food is important. Laughed Hall, “Now we get some people who come here just to eat!” The current Shooters World
presentation is smaller, but makes customers happy. “I would call it a small cafe,” said Gallardo. “We have items like cookies, bottled drinks, fountain drinks, coffee, chips and snacks, hot dogs, brats and fruit smoothies. We keep things simple and basic, but good.”
Challenges Like starting any business, food service has its own set of challenges. “The most important concept is to do it right,” said Hall. “Don’t cut corners with equipment or fixtures. Go beyond the minimum and get the recommended equipment. Commit to quality. You’re dealing with issues of health.” Just as you keep your range safe, so must you need to keep food safe. “You can save money by buying good used equipment,” Hall advised. “We bought ‘used’ equipment, but it was clean and up to code—like new, and saved us a lot of money.” Hall said many good used-restau-rant-equipment companies with which you could do business are out there. “We already had an experienced chef,” Hall said. “That helped in the setup process. He knew what we needed to do.” Gallardo echoed that sentiment. “We got help starting up,” he said. “You don’t need to do it alone.” Bottom line? Get help from some-one who has been through this. “It’s not hard to get set up as a restaurant with the basics – cooking areas, sinks, refrigerators and freez-
Real-Life Scenario
Bull’s-eye! “Ourmostpopularitemisourfamousgrilledonionburger,”saidMilesHall,ownerofH&HShootingSportsComplex,inOklahomaCity,Okla..“Itfeaturesgrilledonionsontopofabigburger.Andfolksloveourfriesandonionrings.” Remember,allingredientsarefresh,neverfrozen.Nowonderthe4UCafe’sfood“hitsthemark”forshooters.
No-Risk Test Here’sawaytoseeiffoodservicemightworkatyourrange:Contractwithatrustedfoodvendortocomeinandsetupafoodcartorsnackbarandoperateit.Negotiateanarrange-mentforapercentageofthesales,soyoubothwin.Perhapsyou’lllikethisno-risk,no-investmentapproachandcontinuetherelationship.
RR
10 The Range Report Fall 2011
ers,” said Hall. “Putting in the vents and venting is probably the hardest part. You need to have sinks, good water and a sewer.” At Shooters World, with a smaller and simpler food counter, setup was not as involved.
Regulations Food service is a highly regulated industry. “We got great support from our state health department,” said Hall. “It wanted us to succeed, but any such department’s priority is that you to do it right, and with food safety always in mind. Our state’s department was great to work with. It was not hard to exceed the basic health requirements.” Halls best advice? “Make the health department your ally. You can’t do it without them, so you might as well get their help and support.” Gallardo has similar feelings. “The health department is your friend,” he said. “Everything went so smoothly with them. It’s the easiest part of the process.” Added Hall proudly, “To this day, we have yet to have a code violation or write-up.”
Staff “Equipment and food are impor-tant to food service, but good, quality people are the key to everything,” emphasized Gallardo. Hall agreed. “The people creating and serving the food make the difference,” Hall said. “You need good food, but you also need an inviting, friendly and fun atmosphere. Good people–from cooks to service personnel–make that work.
Customers come to the 4U Cafe to see the people as much as to eat the food.” Hall strongly advises getting help from people who know the food service industry. Setting up a menu and training cooks, counter personnel and wait staff takes a knowledgeable
professional. “Staffing is your biggest concern,” Hall added. “A restau-rant operates on good people. We have a good core here, but you have to also keep that important support staff productive and happy. Those posi-
tions tend to be transitory.”
Marketing The saying, “If you build it, they will come,” certainly applies here. The key is getting them to come back. Both ranges have their own approach. “We run specials every week,” said Hall of the 4U Cafe. “Things like meat loaf, French dip, Tex Mex. The specials work. They attract customers.” Specials also let you add variety to a small base menu of sandwiches and burgers. Another great idea: Combina-tion passes for shooting and lunch. “That’s a great approach,” said Hall. “It keeps people in the build-ing, and spending money there. They shoot, eat, feel good, then
go back to do some more shooting or perhaps more shopping.” The Shooters World cafe has taken a simpler approach. “It’s been working for us,” said Gallardo. “I would recommend it as a good way to start. Keep everything main line and simple, see how it goes and really listen to the customers – what they like and don’t like, what else they want. Listening is key to ongoing success.” Good food, good service and the positive word of mouth they combine to generate comprise your best market-ing. People will try anything once. Give them a great meal and service, and they will spread the word and come back again.
Conclusion You may have never thought about food service as part of your shooting range’s offerings. The different eating experiences created at H&H and Shooter’s World, however, prove that food can indeed become an additional customer service at your range … and a profit center as well.
Customers Must Wash Their HandsWheneversomeoneisgoingtoeataftershooting,heorshemustthor-oughlywashtheirhands,andarangeisresponsibleforhavingprominentsignagetodeliverthatmessage.Youmayrequestaposter,theconceptforwhichoriginallyappearedintheFall2005RangeReport.InfactasetoffivedifferentpostersforrangesareofferedfreetoNSSFmembersascatalogitem#7040.Nonmembersmaypurchasethesetfor$15.VisitthePublicationsCatalogintheRangeResourcessectionofwww.nssf.org.
Good food, good service and the positive word of mouth they combine
to generate comprise your best marketing. People will try anything
once. Give them a great meal and service, and they will spread the
word and come back again.
11The Range Report Fall 2011
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12
Be PreparedIf you are ready to attract and host
Boy Scouts, you are well on your way to building a new base of
possible lifelong customers
By Michael D. Faw
The Range Report Fall 2011
13The Range Report Fall 2011
Though several programs attract youth to the shooting sports, none has possibly as strong
a pull—with such willing partici-pants—as the Boy Scouts of America. In-the-know gun ranges across America open their doors to Scout troops and their events, to the benefit of both the shooting facility and the Scouts. Why shouldn’t your facility become one of these ranges? One such shooting venue is Highland Hideaway Hunting near Riverside, Iowa. This sporting clays facility and hunting preserve offers many opportunities to local Boy Scouts. “We look forward to working with the local Scouts, and we always welcome more Scouts to come out and use our facilities,” said Ryan Giannini, the manager at Highland. “In an effort to give something back, we host an annual fundraising sporting clays event for the local Scout district.” Scouts shoot at the fundraiser, and many come back with their friends and parents to shoot at other times. Some have returned for hunter education courses. Of course, you could find other ways to accommodate the needs of Scouts, making your facility their place to go shooting. You can provide the counselor, for example, who can help them earn merit badges in related areas. Furthermore, Scouts everywhere are on the lookout for public service opportunities. Shooting ranges can be the benefactor of these service projects and requirements. These projects can include building backstops, mowing and landscaping, and repairing shoot-ing benches. Of course, Scouts also are active shooters. It should already be evident that the Scouts and your shooting facility may be able to enter into a very mutu-ally beneficial relationship.
Learning and earning with a firearm The Boy Scouts of America’s well-known merit badge program offers rifle and shotgun shooting merit badges that Scouts earn by completing a test of their knowledge and demon-strating proficiency with a firearm.
The requirements in both merit badges cover: describing how a firearm oper-ates; explaining knowledge of firearms laws; and elaborating on opportunities to be an active participant in the shoot-ing sports. The rifle shooting merit badge requires Scouts to demonstrate shooting positions, such as prone or kneeling. Each Scout uses a .22 rifle from a bench to shoot a target at 50 feet. The three-shot group must be able to be covered with a quarter. Scouts go beyond the requirements. “We offer a three-day NRA Basic Rifle course in April of each year that consists of eight hours of classroom and nine hours of shooting,” said Bob McLear with Aurora Sportsman’s Club in Waterman, Ill. “Boy Scouts work-ing on their Rifle Shooting Merit Badge will complete all requirements for the Merit Badge as part of this course.” This range also offers youth a basic introductory firearms course, and about 30 Scouts, many from nearby BSA Troop 83, participate in this non-merit badge program each month. Scouts can also complete the requirements to earn a second
shooting-related merit badge—with a shotgun. In this program, each Scout must shoot a shotgun at clay targets that can be hand tossed or cast by a mechanical thrower. They can use any gauge not exceeding 12, and Scouts on a trap range must use stations 3 and 7 for various tasks involving standard clay targets. Scouts can use a muzzleloading shotgun to complete the requirements. To earn these merit badges, Scouts will need a place to shoot. Though some Scout camps have ranges, many do not. Any scout wishing to complete these merit badges will be seeking a place to shoot, and that spells opportu-nity for your range. In addition to regular-aged Boy Scouts, older Scouts, age 16 and above, in the Venturing program are also encouraged to participate in the shooting sports. This class of Scouts can shoot pistols, and numerous ranges—including the Aurora Sports-man’s Club—have hosted events for or worked with Scouts in the Venturing program. Younger Scouts (Cubs and
NSSF and the Scouts TheNationalShootingSportsFoundationhashadalongandproudhistoryworkingwiththeBoyScoutsofAmericatopromoteshootingamongtheseyouths. TheScholasticClayTargetProgram,foundedbyNSSF,tobuildasenseofteamworkandsportsmanship,whileintroducingyoungpeopletotrap,skeetandsport-ingclays,inspiredmanyScoutinggroupstoformsquadsandparticipate. TheJuniorUSAShootingPatchprogramdistributedliterallymillionsofpatchestoScoutswhodemonstratedabasicproficiencywithBBguns,.22riflesandshotguns. NSSFhasbeenanactiveparticipantinBoyScoutJamborees,andneverwasthatmoreevidentthanin2010atthecelebrationofthe100thsuchevent.There,NSSFsponsoredandranCampThunder,wheremorethan700Scoutsperdaywereintro-ducedto“ScoutingClays,”a5-StandvariationthathasbeenpresentedtoCouncilsnationwide.Inaddition,asporterrifleeventalsodebutedattheJamboree.Morethan186,000timesScoutssteppedtothefiringlineatthevariousshootingvenuesoftheJamboree,firingatotalof1,109,368rounds. Forthefifthconsecutiveyear,in2011NSSFhasmadea$100,000investmentinScouts’participationthroughShootingSportsgrants. Inaddition,in2011,NSSFhassetaside$100,000forchallengegrants,allowingaBSACounciltoapplyforagrantofupto$2,000,forwhichthecouncilmustprovidematchingsupport.Councilsmustuseawardedfundstowardthepurchaseofequip-mentandsuppliesfortheirshootingsportsactivitiesfromanNSSFmemberretailer,alistofwhichisavailableatwww.nssf.org/retailers/find.ApplicantsmayviewNSSFBSACouncilChallengeGrantguidelinesandapplicationproceduresatwww.nssf.org/bsagrant.Forinformation,[email protected].
– Glenn Sapir
(continued on page 16)
14 The Range Report Fall 2011
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15The Range Report Fall 2011
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Webelos, ages 9 to 11) are only permit-ted to shoot BB guns under adult supervision. All of the Scouting merit badge programs seek counselors who are experts in the subject matter. “We have six counselors in the area who help with merit badges on a nearly year-round basis,” said McLear. Scouts earning a merit badge use a detailed pamphlet that explains the requirements and the particular skills that must be learned. Counselors can use the booklet to administer the tests. BSA Troops also seek other opportuni-ties to shoot. The Pony Express Council, in the St. Louis, Mo., area, produced a 58-page guide on holding a safe and successful BB gun range event for young Scouts. “Our requirements indicate that Scouts and instructors be at a two-to-one ratio at all times,” reported Scouting Director Alan Franks. “A basic requirement is that instruc-tors be NRA certified. You will also be required to follow the Scouting program guidelines.” Like others, this BSA council is very active in the shooting sports, and its Scouts seek places to shoot. Facilities across the country have accommodated such Scouts seeking a welcoming shooting range. “While some of our Scout camps have ranges or a place to shoot, we still have several Troops that go to private and commercial ranges to complete the merit badges or just to shoot,” said Bob Boatman of the Capital Area Council District, located in Austin, Texas. In other parts of the country, ranges have met that need. For exam-ple, the River City Rifle and Pistol Club near Mason City, Iowa, and Anthony Arms and Accessories in West Mifflin, Pa., are businesses that have developed opportunities to work with Boy Scouts.
Working with Scouts Scouting operates within a very structured environment (much like a military unit with ranks and squads), centered around learning and devel-oping skill sets. Often, the entire Troop might participate in a shooting
program, and the group might need a place to hold a meeting, in addition to a facility at which to shoot. “I’d say 350 to 400 scouts a year get shooting opportunities at the Aurora Sportsmen’s Club,” reported McLear. “We also offer private shoots, and on average about four Troops—at least another 100 Scouts—come to our range for these events.” This club will usually sign up 10 to 15 new families a year because of the experience and hospitality extended by club members. If you and your staff are knowledgeable with firearms, can communicate the details to young shooters and want to encourage participation by beginning shooters, volunteer to be a counselor in the merit badge program. You can possibly find a Scout troop near you by asking local churches or civic clubs, or by contacting a regional Scout office. Scouts also learn community-service principles, and you never know when a Scout in your program today could be a future local council-man or even a U.S. president--Gerald Ford, for example, was a Boy Scout—who makes important decisions affecting the operation of your gun range. Scouting can also be credited with introducing firearms and shooting to kids from families that do not partici-pate in the shooting sports. Many
Scout camps, facilities or troops across the nation also host Trailblazer events. The one-day events are organized by local Scout Troops under a partnership with the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance. Often the events are held at local public ranges or at private clubs. All youth coming to this program—and their parent or adult supervisors—have opportunities to shoot BB guns and learn about firearms safety. To date more than one million youngsters have participated in this program, and the program is growing each year. You should recognize them as future customers. Learn more at www.trailblazeradventure.org. In a final show of Scouting’s commitment to fostering Scout partici-pation in the shooting sports, the BSA National Scouting Museum in Irvine, Texas, has a shooting range. Okay, it’s a laser range, but the guns feel real and the shooters get excited. The NSSF also is offering challenge grants with $100,000 available to BSA councils across America to develop more shoot-ing programs. These grants will be used to strengthen and increase Scouts participation in the shooting sports (see sidebar). What does all of this mean? It means that if you follow the Scouts motto of “Be prepared,” you can bring more shooters—perhaps lifetime customers and members—to your door step. RR
17The Range Report Fall 2011
The Range Report Fall 201118
One of the first times Miles and Jayne Hall, owners of H&H Gun Range in Okla-
homa City, Okla., ever went to a shooting range, Jane got hit by a ricocheting bullet fragment. Fortu-nately she wasn’t seriously injured, but the incident made both of them very aware of safety issues when they opened their own range in 1981. “Wearing eye protection is just a smart thing to do,” Miles Hall said. “It just makes sense. You need to protect yourself from anything that could be a potential problem,
especially on a shooting range, and safety glasses are part of that. Your eyes are precious; you only have two of them. Let’s make sure you keep them intact.” Although some ranges rent eye protection to their customers, the Halls provide it at no charge. “Eye and hearing protection are mandatory on our range,” Hall said. “We provide both at no extra charge to anyone who comes in and doesn’t have their own.”
What shooters want Most shooters tend to be
particular about their eyewear, said Joseph Smith, director of sporting goods for Radians. “The first thing shooters are looking for in eye protection is stylish eyewear,” he said. “They also want something with good protection, but that’s second to appearance.” When it comes to style, he said, many options are available. “Just as an example, we have glasses with adjustable temples with ratcheting for both length and angle,” Smith said. “We also offer quite a few colors and many styles. There are a lot of options so range owners can offer customers a wide variety of choices.”
Safety for sale Whether for rent or for sale, you should have glasses with poly-carbonate lenses that are ANSI approved, and an additional recom-mendation is that they be scratch resistant. Most of the time, those you have for rent or just for custom-ers to use are going to be basic polycarbonate glasses without any special features. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that not all polycarbon-ate lenses are created equal; there are different grades of polycarbon-ate, and what your customers need for shooting is of a specific type. “Shooting-specific eyewear has what’s called an ANSI Z87+ rating,” said Johnny Lay, marketing director for X.P.O. Eyewear. “It’s a safety rating that protects your eyes from ballistics. If you wear a lens with that rating, it should protect your eyes from any debris that hits the lens.” Lay says that typical polycar-bonate lenses are about 1.5 to 1.7 millimeters in thickness; lenses with an ANSI Z87+ rating are 2 to 2.2 millimeters in thickness. “You can get lenses that meet that standard and are scratch resis-tant,” Smith said. “You also can get them with UV protection for use outdoors.”
Options & Innovations
Update on Eye ProtectionBy Carolee Anita Boyles
Most privately owned ranges have both eye and ear protection available for rent or for free use by customers. (Public ranges also will require you to have safety equip-ment, but may or may not have anything available for you to rent.) “When customers check in, you want eye protection to be read-ily available,” Smith said. “Most ranges have eye protection avail-able for shooters who don’t come in regularly, because serious shooters have their own.” In California, though, the rules are different. Hall said ranges in California are no longer allowed to loan or rent reusable protective gear there; by state law, customers must purchase both. “The state got concerned about some health issues that really are not a problem,” he said. “However, they decided to ban reusable safety gear on ranges even though the actual incidence of any health issues is negligible, and now they make customers spend the money to buy their own protection.” Whether you loan, rent or sell eye protection, the objective is the same: for both your customers’ protection and your own protection against liability issues and concerns, the use of safety equipment should be mandatory on your range. It doesn’t matter whether you have an indoor range or an outdoor range, or you use clay, paper or steel targets, your customers must wear eye and hearing protection on your range.
Casual or serious With all of that said, some of your shooters—particularly your “casual” shooters—won’t want or need anything more than just clear polycarbonate safety glasses. “These generally are price-point glasses and are very basic,” Smith said. “If you have an indoor range, obviously clear is what you want to have most readily available. Another thing we’ve found that’s really popular right now is the ‘ice’ lens, which is an indoor/outdoor lens. It’s slightly mirrored and
tinted so that even in an indoor envi-ronment, where you have the bright lights above the range, it cuts down on glare.” More serious shooters will have more serious gear in mind. “Not only are glasses good
for protection, but they also can enhance performance,” Smith said. “If it’s a low-light day, the shooter can wear an amber lens. If he’s shooting sporting clays, he’ll want orange or vermilion.” Many companies are getting
19The Range Report Fall 2011
Here’s a quick look at some of the most popular colors and coatings:
Thisisn’tacolor,butisacoatingonthelensthatreducesreflec-tionsandglare.It’slongbeenpopularwithboatersandanglersbecauseitletsyouseedownintothewaterinsteadofjustseeingtheglarethat’sonthesurface,butithasmuchbroaderapplicationthanjustwatersports.
Again,thisisn’tacolorbutisalenstreatmentthatmaybeacoatingormaybeimbeddedinthelensandallowsthelenstorespondtolightconditions.Underovercastconditionsitlightens,andunderbrightconditionsitdarkens.Soyourvisionisneverimpairedbutisalwaysprotected.
Allowsmaximumvisiblelighttransmission;primarilyusedforindoorapplications.
Wornoutdoorstoreduceglarewhentheshooterisinashadedareabutthetargetisindirectsunlight.
Providesmaximumglarereductiononbright,sunnydays;showsnaturalcolorandflattenslighttomaintainnormaldepthpercep-tion.
Idealforlowlightenvironmentsinwhichcontrastislow;high-lightsanddefinesbyblockingoutmuchofthebluelight.
Servesthesamepurposeassmokelenses,yetallowsmorevisiblelightthroughthelensforindoor/outdoorapplications.
Enhancescontrastandtargetsighting.
Filtersoutblueandgreenlight,reduceseyefatigue,improvesvisualacuityandprovidesgoodvisualcontrastofwhateveryou’reviewing.Orangeisgoodfortargetshooting.
Likeorange,yellowprovidesgoodvisualcontrast;anothergoodcolorfortargetshooters.
Athirdcolorthatprovidesgoodvisualcontrastfortargetshooters;copperalsoiscalleda“driver”tintbecauseit’susefulontheroad.
Thiscolorisgreatwhenthere’ssnowonthegroundbecauseitprovidesgoodperspectiveandexcellentimagedefinition.Polar-izedglasseswitharosetint,offerthebestofbothworlds.
Availableinanumberofcolors;maybedarkorlight;maybegradientwithdarkatthetopandlightatthebottom.Goodforoutdoorswhereverybrightsunlightandglarecauseeyestrainandfatigue.
Polarized
Photochromatic or photochromic
Clear
Light Smoke
Smoke
Amber
Light blue
Vermilion
Orange
Yellow
Copper
Rose
Mirror
20 The Range Report Fall 2011
into “combo kits” for serious shoot-ers as well. “We have glasses with multiple lenses that shooters can switch, depending on what they’re shoot-ing and what the day is like,” Smith said. “It’s to the range’s advantage to have these kinds of kits available to sell.” Don’t overlook range programs that manufacturers may have and of which you can take advantage. “For instance, with our range program, a range can buy price-point glasses in bulk,” Smith said. “The ranges that are most successful also have a retail assortment of whatever the best sellers are for their particu-lar range, whether they’re indoor/outdoor glasses, multi-lens kits or whatever works best for them.”
Colors and coatings With the multitude of colors and
coatings available—and there are dozens of them—you may have trou-ble selecting what you want to carry. One thing to note is that there’s no difference in the manufacturing cost of the various lens colors.
Ask and you shall have Eyewear companies can provide you with color charts for lenses
so you can advise your shooters on the best color for the situa-tion, and rent—or sell—whichever they desire. A number of eyewear companies also have range programs through which you can get discounts, glasses imprinted with your range name, and other benefits that will help drive dollars to your bottom line.
Browning Eyewear201 Corporate CourtP. O. Box 828Senatobia, MS 38668662-301-4735www.browningeyewear.com
Howard Leight 900 Douglas PikeSmithfield, RI 02917800-682-0833www.howardleightshootingsports.com
Oakley, IncOne IconFoothill Ranch, CA 92610800-525-4334www.oakley.com
Peltor3M CenterBuilding 0235-02-W-70St. Paul, MN 55144www.peltormilitary.com
Pyramex Safety Products 281 Moore LaneCollierville, TN 38017901-861-6100www.pyramexsafety.com
Radians 7580 Bartlett Corp. DriveBartlett, TN 38133901-388-7776www.radians.com
Serengeti EyewearBushnell Corporation9200 CodyOverland Park, KS 66214913-752-3400www.serengeti-eyewear.com
XPO Eyewear10823 Bell CourtRancho Cucamonga, CA 91730888-333-8667www.coppermax.com
Some Sources of Eye-Protection Products
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21The Range Report Fall 2011www.NssF.org/FIrstshots
Your First shot at New shooters
www.NssF.org/FIrstshots
Finding new customers is always a challenge. If there ever was a sure shot at new business, this is it. Best of all, ranges that held seminars found a significant
increase in range activity, traffic and profits! Shooting range-hosted and -managed seminars are free to participants, easy to run by even small ranges and, best of all, low cost to facilities.
We have already done most of the work for you as an NSSF member and actually help fund advertising for your seminar, provide loaner equipment, ammunition, targets and safety literature. First Shots is a short, hands-on introduction to firearms covering safety, responsible ownership and shooting fundamentals.
Why is the program so successful? First Shots provides a system for bringing target shooting to the general public in one complete package that makes it simple for non-shooters to:
1) Gain awareness of target shooting.
2) Build interest in learning more about target shooting.
3) Evaluate and try target shooting before investment.
4) Access continued opportunities to participate.
The program’s elements of cooperative funding for advertising, a simple agenda, short time frames, limited trials and safe environment all result in an increase of new shooters and new customers to your range.
Here’swhatrangeownershavetosay:
“We started to do First Shots almost a year ago and continue
to run one class a month. We do this for two reasons, one is to get more shooters
involved in the shooting sport and the second being a great way for us to give back to the community. We have seen participants who have gone on to take almost every class we offer on personal protection and continue to want to learn more about shooting. We will continue to
participate in the First Shots program and look forward to the new classes that they are working on.”
Harry Misener, Special Events Coordinator,
Shooter’s World
An introduction to shooting
manyhaveseenremarkableresults.Tolearnmoregotowww.nssf.org/firstshotsorcontactTismaJuett([email protected])orcall203-426-1320.Takingthatfirstshotisalwaysthetoughestandthemostmemorable.
Scan this QR code with your Smartphone for more information on First Shots
22 The Range Report Fall 201122
In today’s world any shooting facil-ity that does not recognize the need to be proactive with environmental
concerns is potentially jeopardizing its future. For either a members-only gun club or a shooting range open to the public on private or public land, a growing concern about environmental issues such as noise and lead contamination could create a serious problem. Operators must be proactive in managing the environ-mental impact of their range. Seven years ago the gun clubs and shooting organi-zations in Oregon realized this potential situation and, with the help of the National Shoot-ing Sports Foundation, embraced the Environmental Stewardship Plan and became proactive in addressing issues in question before they became a problem. Even though it is the responsibility of each individual club or organization to adopt the Environ-mental Stewardship Plan for the land
used by its facility, the state organiza-tion is there to support and assist with its implementation. An Environmental Stewardship Plan (ESP) represents a written plan or “roadmap” for planning, imple-menting and monitoring the progress of environmental improvements at
shooting ranges. An ESP is similar to an ISO 9000, with the exception that ESPs are site specific to each shooting range. By developing and implement-ing an ESP, you will document your commitment to the environment and community. The goal of an ESP is to implement a quality manage-ment program that defines who, what
and how you operate your facility while addressing any environmental concerns. Coming up with solutions to these concerns to prevent them from creat-ing problems in the future is the key to your ESP. To accomplish this, an ESP needs to be living, working document
that keeps a close eye on the activities occurring at your facility. Therefore, updating them on a regu-lar basis is crucial. What is a regular basis? This depends on how active the range is and is determined when creating your ESP. For example, when you make changes to the facil-
ity, or you expand on the shooting activities offered, you need to update and incorporate this into your ESP. NSSF’s Range Action Specialists can play a key role in assisting NSSF range members in developing ESPs to protect and preserve ranges from future environmental threats. For more information on the NSSF Range
Proactive ESPsClubs put their future in their own hands by thorough environmental planning
By Chub Eastman
An Environmental Stewardship Plan (ESP) represents a written plan or
“roadmap” for planning, implementing and monitoring the progress of
environmental improvements at shooting ranges.
23The Range Report Summer 2011
Action Specialists, read “Home on the Range,” on page 22 and then visit www.nssf.org/ranges. To date the Oregon Association of Shooting Ranges (OASR) has 24 member clubs, of which 12 already have an Environmental Steward-ship Plan in place, and others are in the process of developing one. At the scheduled meetings of OASR the advantages, problems and issues with adopting the Environmental Steward-ship Plan are addressed. The input and assistance from the different member clubs make the adoption of the plan very doable for the other clubs. Tri-County Gun Club is large, with 4,400 active members. Furthermore, more than 3,500 law enforcement and government officers use the club’s facilities for training. Tri-County is located in the Portland, Ore., area between the bedroom communities of Sherwood and Tualatin. The city boundaries for each community stop at the fence line of Tri-County Gun Club. The board of directors had enough foresight to envision the future growth of each municipality creating problems for the club. “We worked with each city and explained how we are being proactive with environmental concerns and how interested the club was in developing and maintaining a good relationship with the community,” said George Pitts, public relations officer for the club. “I make it a point to attend the local Chamber of Commerce meetings to reinforce our commitment to good public relations.” The Albany Rifle & Pistol Club is another good example of how the implementation of the Environmental Stewardship Plan has been effective in deflecting problems that have arisen concerning its land use. “When concerned citizens or government agencies are informed we have a proactive Environmental Stewardship Plan in place and are peri-odically testing the soil in front of our impact berms for lead mobility, prob-lems or questions that arise seem to go away,” said Mike McCarter, on-site manager of the club, Tim Pitzer is an active member of OASR’s board and has been involved
in helping the individual shooting venues across the state implement an Environmental Stewardship Plan. He knows from experience the value of an ESP. “Once we organized the shooting facilities in Oregon and dedicated our proactive efforts to the environmental concerns of the Department of Envi-ronmental Quality, other government agencies and the nonshooting public, problems were addressed before they became a bigger problem. With the experience we have had and with the assistance of the NSSF, putting the Environment Stewardship Plan in place for individual gun clubs and shooting facilities has become a lot easier. “It is to the point where there is no excuse for a club not to have its Envi-ronmental Stewardship Plan in place if it is at all concerned about its future,” Pitzer concluded. The Environmental Steward-ship Plan that the NSSF encourages shooting ranges to adopt is offered in conjunction with the Conservation Stewardship Program developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Resources Conservation. This sounds like the ESP has been sprung in a minefield of bureaucracy, but with the help and assistance avail-able through the NSSF and a state organization like OASR, an Environ-mental Stewardship Plan can be put in place very easily. OASR receives from each indi-vidual member of each club a fee of $2, which serves as its financial base. The $2 assessment is usually included in the annual membership dues collected by each participating club, and the funds are used primarily for legal expenses incurred by an individual club. Over the years there have been two cases where this legal fund was used. Both cases ended up in favor of the involved clubs. Had the individual clubs been required to foot the other-wise prohibitive cost of its legal fees, the outcome would have probably been different. Being proactive in its environmen-tal concerns for the land and in the community where each club is located is certainly perceived positively by
government agencies with which a shooting facility must deal, and an ESP puts to rest potential concerns of an uninformed public. It is a win-win for everyone involved, and if you have not yet adopted an ESP, now is the time for you to become a winner, too.
23The Range Report Fall 2011
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ESP at Heart of Pennsylvania Settlement
InlateJulythePennsylvaniaDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources(DCNR)signedaleasewiththePhilipsburgRod&GunClubforresumptionoftrapshootingatBlackMoshannonStateParkafterafive-yearstoppage—andadoptionofanEnvironmentalStewardshipPlanplayedanimportantroleinthenewagreement.Concernsexpressedoverelevatedlevelsofleadshotdepositedthroughtheyearsonsectionsofthe23-acreshootingrangeleasedfromtheparkhadledtotheclosure. “Allpartiesinvolved—clubofficers,shooters,electedofficialsandourBureauofStateParks—mustbecommendedforstayingacoursethatwillseeresumptionofahistoricactivitywhileprovidingenvironmentalsafeguardsforthepark’sfuture,”saidDCNRSecretaryRichardJ.Allan. Amongthetermsoftheleaseagreement,whichextendsto2021,istheprovisionthattheclubwillbeoperatingunderanEnvironmentalStewardshipPlanandwillimplementbest-managementpracticesattherangeconsistentwithrecommendationsbystateandfederalenvironmentalagencies.TheNationalShootingSportsFoundationworkedcloselywiththefederalEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyindevelopmentofEPA’sbestpracticesformanagingleadatranges.
undercover shooter
A Long Shot in the NorthwestThe West has far horizons, but rifle ranges with real distance are scarce.
A Long Shot in the NorthwestThe West has far horizons, but rifle ranges with real distance are scarce.
24 The Range Report Fall 2011
Long shooting makes little sense on a hunt. You shoot better up close. Lethal hits not only define success;
they’re humane. Hunters who boast of long shots might well be consoled for not getting closer. That said, hitting at distance is fun. A perfect score on paper at 600 yards, or the hollow pop of a gong seconds after you open the bolt, affirms you as a rifle-man. Alas, ranges for such play require cattle-ranch acreage. In the shadow of the Cascades, I can shoot 1,000 yards just minutes from my house. There’s no pit, though, and no framed target for a pal to safely pull and mark. And landing a bullet somewhere on a plate the size of a manhole cover is hardly instructive. I looked, recently, for better options – and found two an hour’s drive apart near Portland, Ore.
Range A Members-only club does offer opportunities to the public
“We have the only 1,000-yard range this side of the state,” said Kevin. My ears perked up. “Our club has produced fine long-range shooters too – three of the four on the Savage F-Class team that won an international title,” he added. F-Class competition, at 800, 900 and 1,000 yards, is luring lay shooters to shoot long. I had been to this park-like range before F-Class became a draw. It was time to revisit. “Short ranges” for high-power events means 200, 300 and 600 yards. “Long ranges” start at 800. As is common elsewhere, extended yardages can be used only during a
match or when short ranges are closed. The pits serve all. A current schedule showed Thursday was “long range day.” From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., shooters flail away at 800 to 1,000 yards; from 1 p.m. to sunset, they fire at 300 to 600. “That schedule flip-flops every week; next Thursday it’s short first, then long,” Kevin said. He added that a relatively small membership is a club asset. “We number just over 1,000, so you won’t be crowded here. Some days, you’re the only one.” Match days do fill the line, and there are lots of matches, including an Oregon Sniper Challenge and a “Palma Plus 20” (Palma match plus 20 shots at 1,000 with any rifle, any sights). There’s a Hunter’s Sight-In series four weekends during fall, to which nonmembers are welcome. The Civilian Marksmanship Program lives here too; shooters fire M1 Garand and modern sporting rifles (MSRs) on the National Match course. “Nonmembers are ordinarily lim-ited to scheduled matches,” said Kevin. “But they can visit as member guests.” A member may host up to four guests per visit. Generous hours (8 a.m. to sunset weekdays, 9 a.m. to sunset weekends, with necessary exceptions for range maintenance) make the $5 guest fee a bargain. Membership is the unavoidable next step: $150 per year in dues, after a $100 initiation fee. Miscel-laneous fees hike total first-year cost to $330. Family packages encourage youth and spouses. A key-card gets you in the gate. Eight hours of volunteer labor annually are expected of every regular member. Volunteers can become Range Safety Officers. Some privileges accrue.
Range B Six-hundred yards is max here
I’m glad I keep ear protection in the cab of my pickup because I needed it before leaving my vehicle due to the noise level from several active semi-auto-matic rifles. Unlike the other facility, this range was created with tactical and self-protec-tion training in mind. I was a bit intimidated by the setting initially, but the newly constructed club-house provided comfort until I could get my bearings. Staff was quick to greet and offer assistance when I explained it was my first time. My greeter had to excuse himself to remind guys that “bump shooting” was not allowed, leaving me unattended with a cache of unlocked semi-auto handguns and rifles, not to mention the cash register. His level of trust was reassuring. After reading a two-page list of range rules, filling out a registration form and then signing a waiver I was told I could find target stands in the rusted boxcar next to the rifle range and that I should help myself. I found a stand with the least amount of damage, waited for a cease fire and used debris on the range to wedge it into place at 50 yards. The rifle range also offers longer distances, but shooters are urged to stay on the same line. Concentrating on precision shot placement from my scoped .308 was out of the question, but it was entertaining watching some of the others rapidly rattle off rounds. So, instead, I practiced quick three-shot groups and left satisfied I found a place where I could have a good time burning a lot of ammo.
25The Range Report Fall 2011 25
Signage/Visibility.............................................................. 5• Thisrangewasestablishedmorethan60yearsago;thePortland
metroareahasgrowntomeetit.ItisverycloseandeasytoreachforPortlanders,andwell-signed.
Layout/Setting.................................................................. 5• Topographicreliefandtimberhavebeenusedtogoodeffectto
makethisrangesafeandappealingtotheeye.Itssize(230acres)allowsforlongshootingandseparationofvenues.
Retail.Product.Availability............................................. NA• Unlikeshotgunners,long-rangeriflemendonotbuyammunitiononsite.
Rental.Availability.......................................................... NA• Long-rangeriflementypicallybringalltheirowngear.
Staff.Friendliness.............................................................. 4• Thoughrangerepresentativesprovedabitdifficulttoreachfrom
websiteinformation,theywerecordialandinvitedmetoshootandtophonewithfurtherquestions.
Safety............................................................................... 4• Saferangepracticesareenforced.Overheadbafflesensureagainst
bullettravelbeyondthelong-rangebutts.Memberguestsmayshootonlywithmemberoversight.
Programs/Membership...................................................... 3• Awidevarietyofshootingprograms(classesandmatches)forshot-
gun,rifleandhandgundistinguishthisrange.Thereisno1,000-yardcourse,andpracticeat600islimitedtooneeveningweekly.Duesof$120ayear,plusa$175initiationfee,entitlememberstouseofa24-hourindoorrimfirerangesevendaysaweek,anddawn-to-duskshootingoncenterfireranges.
Cleanliness....................................................................... 4• Indoorandoutdoorrangesarediligentlyservicedandwellmaintained.
Activebuilding,withtimber-cuttingandminingtohelpunderwriterangeimprovements,cangivepartsofthisrangean“underconstruction”look.Allvenues,however,arecleanandshieldedfromunduedisturbance.
Comments/Impressions• Thisrangehasprogramsandfacilitiesforshootersofallinterests,
andlieswithinafewminutes’driveofthousandsofshooters,abut-tingthelargestcitybetweenSeattleandSanFrancisco.Itoffersspecial-interestrifleevents,suchasScheutzen,MetallicSilhouetteandVintageRifle.ItdoesnotfeaturethedistancesforF-Classandotherextreme-rangeshooting.
Range A Customer Satisfaction Rating Range B Customer Satisfaction Rating
Preferred RangeThe Undercover Shooter’s experiences and observations led to his endorsement of both ranges, but if a shooter wants to reach out to 1,000 yards, the choice is Range A:Douglas Ridge Rifle Club, 27787 Hwy. 224, Eagle Creek, OR 97022503-637-3131 • www.douglasridge.org • [email protected]
Signage/Visibility.............................................................5• Long-rangeshootingrequiresspace,andthisrangeispredictably
rural.Thatsaid,it’seasytoreachfromthe205freewayandstateroutesjustoutsidethePortlandmetroarea.
Layout/Setting.................................................................5• Treedsurroundingsandintelligentlayoutmakethisanappealing
facility.
Retail.Product.Availability..............................................NA• Unlikeshotgunners,long-rangeriflemendonotbuyammunition
onsite.
Rental.Availability.........................................................NA• Long-rangeriflementypicallybringalltheirowngear.
Staff.Friendliness.............................................................5• Ispokewithseveralrangeofficers/administrators.Allwereex-
ceptionallyengagingandhelpful.Theyinvitedmetoshootagainontherangeandtophonewithfurtherquestions.
Safety..............................................................................5• Saferangepracticesareenforced;however,therulesarenot
onerous.
Programs/Membership.....................................................4• A“long-rangeday”isslatedeveryweekforpractice,andhigh-
powermatches,includingF-Classevents,occurregularlythroughouttheshootingseason.Membershipisopen;nonmembersmayvisitasguestsofmembers.Familypackagesencourageyouth.Memberspayannualduesof$150,plusa$100initiationfee,andcontributeeighthoursofvolunteerlabor.
Cleanliness......................................................................4• Regularservicedaysandarelativelysmallbutcommittedmember-
shipkeepthisrangecleanandwellmaintained.
Comments/Impressions• Specialmatcheslikethe“PalmaPlus20”and“OregonSniper”
encouragelong-rangepracticeanddrawnewshooters.NationalMatchandCivilianMarksmanshipProgrameventsmakethisclubworththeduesforarearifleenthusiasts.
undercover shooter scorecard
All reports, comments, impressions, opinions or advice expressed in the Undercover Shooter column are solely those of independent, recreational shooting range consumers and do not necessarily represent those of the National Shooting Sports Foundation or its affiliates. Neither the NSSF nor its affiliates make any warranty or assume any liability with respect to the accuracy or reliability of any information provided by Undercover Shooter contributors. Readers are encouraged to and should perform their own investigation of the information provided herein.
Each category is rated on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest score.
Editor’s note:TheUndercoverShooterisanexperiencedrecreationalshooterbutisnottrainedintechnicalaspectsofrangedesignandoperation.
The message should come as no surprise. You’ve read it in The Range Report, including
articles in this issue, and you’ve heard it before: Some shooting ranges need to become more educated and proactive in their management practices. To encourage ranges to take the initiative, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) recently launched a new service to assist NSSF shooting range members. NSSF’s Range Action Specialists are here to assist the range community in many ways. The primary goal is to engage shooting ranges to become more proactive. Now, is the time to take action. Identify areas where your range can or needs to improve its management practices.
How the team can help Increased operating costs, new environmental regulations, land encroachment, neighborhood complaints and growing litigation concerns are making it ever more difficult for shooting ranges to stay open. Although many ranges attempt to solve these problems on their own, or avoid them by sticking their head in the sand, proceeding with the support and guidance of others is a much easier and effective approach. In many cases, NSSF’s Range Action Specialists can provide you with the professional help needed to resolve the challenges your shooting range faces. So, how can the NSSF’s Range Action Specialists help your range? They can assist you with your existing challenges. They can help your shooting range become more proactive with site-specific Best Management Practices that include developing Environmental Stewardship Plans, improving your
policies and procedures to ensure safe practices occur on the range at all times and strengthening community-relations and shooter-recruitment efforts. All of these proactive measures can help ensure that your facility will be here for generations to come. The Range Action Specialists can also provide professional guidance to individuals in the process of range development. They can help individuals who are looking for guidance when it comes to mapping out the business plan to determine whether their dream of opening a shooting range and retail store is a wise decision. To sum it up, the NSSF and its Range Action Specialists are here to help promote, protect and preserve recreational and competitive shooting by giving facility operators and club members tools for success to create safer, more enjoyable, more profitable and more environmentally compliant ranges.
Impressive group of experts Companies and consultants currently serving on the NSSF’s Range Action Specialists represent decades of experience and high levels of expertise. They include: Scott Kranz, AMEC Earth and Environmental; Richard Peddicord, Environmental Range Protection; Don Turner, Don Turner LLC; Ed Santos, Tactical Services Group; and Ken Lewis, National Protective Services. These professionals can help assess your range to identify potential areas of concern and develop environmental stewardship plans that show regulators and the community that your facility is managing the land in a responsible manner. These are all key tools for building strong community relations.
To engage ranges to take action toward improving their management practices, the NSSF will provide financial assistance for the services performed by the Range Action Specialist. This is a new service offered to NSSF members. NSSF will cover the travel expenses along with a percentage of the fee applied toward the assigned task. We recognize that costs can deter clubs from taking the proactive steps necessary to implement an Environmental Stewardship Plan. We hope that this type of financial support will help to jumpstart ranges’ efforts to become educated and proactive with their entire approach to shooting range management. We also want to make sure that those individuals researching the idea of opening a range and retail store are heading in the right direction.
Learn more To find out more about the service go to www.nssf.org/ranges or contact me, Zach Snow, email [email protected], telephone 203-426-1320 ext 224. Remember, this is a special benefit provided exclusively to National Shooting Sports Foundation members. If your facility is not a member of NSSF, you are not only missing out on a multitude of benefits, but you are depriving the hunting and shooting sports trade association of the benefit of your support. Every member represents a concrete block, and every block makes any foundation, and especially this Foundation, stronger. Give your support to NSSF by visiting www.nssf.org and clicking on Industry and then Membership to learn of member benefits and how to join NSSF.
Home on the RangeHome on the RangeViews from NSSF staffers and guest contributors
A Task Force to Serve YouNSSF’s Range Action Specialists—experts all—can help individual ranges be better
By Zach Snow
RR
26 The Range Report Fall 2011
Zach Snow is the manager of shooting promotions for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. His responsi-bilities include servicing the needs of range members of NSSF, who comprise NSSF’s Association of Shooting Ranges.
By Zach SnowManager,
Shooting Promotions
27The Range Report Summer 2011 27The Range Report Spring 2011
together, our Voice Is strong
www.NssFMeMbershIp.CoM
The future of your business depends on it.
Help us make your voice louder and stronger where it counts. Now more than ever, it’s time to become a NSSF
member. To join contact Bettyjane Swann at (203) 426-1320 or [email protected].
For over 50 years, our mission has never wavered. Promote, protect and preserve our hunting and shooting sports. We are the National Shooting
Sports Foundation, the trade association of the firearms, ammunition and shooting industry. Whether it is in the field, on the range, in Washington, D.C. or 50 state capitals, we stand proudly as your voice.
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