As some of you may know I have my own slice of paradise and set some of it to the side for shooting range use. My range itself has been more of a labor of love for myself and my friends that help me maintain it and it definitely gets well love with shooters. My short range is always enjoyed it is just a 85 yard one with a massive berm of trees and dirt with some laced tires out front and easily accommodates up to 8 shooters at a time. I made a semi-permanent way to hang targets on by getting 5 10 foot pressure treated 4×4’s and cemented them into the ground and the ran some plastic netting along the front to hang the targets with clothes pins. Simple, yet very effective and extremely loved by everyone who comes out to bask in its greatness and enjoy it.
To some, it is just a place to come shoot for a bit and leave. However, for the rest it is the proving grounds or where the magic happens or sometimes it is a place to let loose of some things on your mind and chat with some friends. However, to me it has been all about the experiences and memories that have been shared here, people from all walks of life will come to a range that is open to anyone. Believe it or not a trip to a range does not have to involve you getting dressed up in the latest 5.11 pants and fancy shoes with your “operator” shirt and hat the most fun is to be had when you show up in everyday apparel. Because at the end of the day you are there for practice and to focus on muscle memory because that is what is going to help you in the long run. Now granted, I have seen quite a few of those types I do not judge them solely off of their appearance however, a vast majority that do show up like this are a bit below average because they are not accustomed to dressing like this.
Moving forward, I always recommend to wear your individual everyday attire to any event that I host here at my place (which the schedule can be quite grueling at times) just last year we had over 30 events that were all free to the public, some of which totaling in the hundreds. The thing about having a range is some of the people just want a release from every day stressors and to some the smell of fresh gunpowder and a few friends is that exact release that they crave. It is definitely interesting here at my range though after having had politicians, officers, bondsman, even some special forces operators here I notice one thing… they all love to shoot even if some may have only been here for a photo op. Yet some simply come to plink a few rounds and talk about life, the opportunity to talk and interact and get things off their chests is detrimental to some people… and I have always been here to listen. So, if you have a private range open it up to friends and pass this most sacred constitutionally protected right onto others that don’t have the same opportunities and I will tell you what… you may make some of the best friends you have ever made by doing so.
