Shooting activities are a great way to let off steam. Whether it is hunting or range shooting, it can be strangely cathartic to pull the trigger.
What to Expect in Shooting Activities
While shooting something sounds fun, there are a few things to consider before your first attempt. You need to ask yourself a few questions first. Are you mentally prepared? Do you know anyone who regularly does shooting activities? Do you have proper safety gear?
There are more to consider, but these are the basic ones. Safety is probably the most important thing you can ensure. After all, you are dealing with firearms. Range bags are a great place to start as you need the proper tools to ensure a smooth shooting experience.
Your range bag should contain protective gear like gloves, ear mufflers, and goggles for all types of shooting scenarios. If you are planning to shoot in a range, the facility provides them for you. However, it is always recommended you bring your own protection.
In the case of wildlife hunting, you need to have your own guns and more importantly, a shooting license and here are some great guns on sale. Dry food and water should also be a part of your arsenal. Many people like to group up and spend days at a time, so best come prepared.
What are Some Shooting Activities?
The good news here is that there is a variety of shooting activities to choose from. All shooting scenarios are highly controlled, but that does not mean you cannot have fun! Some prefer the calmness of shooting inanimate objects. Others gravitate towards real-life hunting. Keep reading to find out more about how you can spend your weekends.
1. Range Shooting
Range shooting is probably the most common activity out there. A lot of beginner shooting enthusiasts prefer a mixture of easy stationary targets and challenging moving ones at the same time. This particular activity is a great way to practice your aim.
Shooting ranges are the perfect example of grab and go. All you simply do is pick up your favorite gun and start shooting. These ranges offer protective gear for your eyes and ears so you do not overpower your senses. For the novice shooter, the range is the perfect place to start.
2. Skeet Shooting
Skeet shooting has gained widespread popularity over recent years. This is more of an advanced shooting scenario. High-speed discs or clay pigeons (yes, they look like actual pigeons!) are flung into the air. Simply point your rifle at them and try to hit as many as you can!
Skeet shooting is like playing whack-a-mole in the theme park but dialed up to 11. It is recommended you build up a decent aim before you dip your toe into skeet shooting. The variety of guns available are limited in this mode. Mostly, you will be working with airsoft rifles and BB guns. You can also click the link to find the best red dot sight attachment under $100.
3. Hunting
And now we finally come to hunting. This is the expert level of shooting where you need aim as much as situational awareness. A wrong move can send those animals scurrying away or, worse, hurt someone nearby.
Hunting is strictly controlled by relevant authorities and requires a government-issued license. It may be tempting to go solo and embrace your inner lone wolf. However, if it is your first time out in the wilderness, we recommend you buddy up.
Hunting is a highly seasonal sport. Depending on your locality, certain seasons will have certain wildlife to hunt. Deer hunting is always a popular choice as they are commonly available throughout the year. Bird hunting is also an excellent option.
If you are hesitant about shooting a gun, there is good news for you! You can hunt with bows as well. Bow-hunting has gained popularity over the years as it is a less intensive form of shooting.
Shooting Range Etiquette
Any marksman, whether novice or expert, needs to develop proper decorum before picking up a gun. When you buy your gun, ask for safety advices from the best gun stores in Delaware. Remember, you are working with lethal equipment
here. A miscalculation can lead to a costly mistake, and nobody wants that.
There are certain terms used in the shooting range you should acquaint yourself with. For example, the firing line is the place where shooters stand to fire their weapons. The backstop refers to the solid wall placed behind targets. A lane is referred to as the narrow sightline from the firing line to the ultimate target.
Each shooting range will have its own rules, but most of them follow the same general set of guidelines. Safety officers will always be there to help out in any situation. They are experts at what they do, so listening to them is always a good idea. Keep in mind, protective gear may not be provided by the shooting range, so bring your own if possible.
Hunting Ethics
In the case of wildlife hunting, some extra preparedness is always a good idea. A good hunting knife can work wonders in the right situation. Just make sure the knife is sharp, clean, and something you can comfortably handle.
You will often hear about the 4 C’s of hunting. They are careful, considerate, capable, and courteous. More often than not, you will be out in the wilderness with other people as well. Everyone needs to make sure they are following local laws and the 4 C’s.
Hunters need to be careful of non-hunters as well. It is good practice to never display hunted wildlife while traveling. Permission must be taken from landowners as well if you are planning to hunt in a private area.
Before you even set up your guns and knives, the first priority should be to make a first-aid kit. The kit should contain the necessary items to treat burns or minor cuts. Keep a small washcloth in there as well to clean up any spills or grease. It might also be a good idea to carry some anti-venom as snake bites are one of the most common injuries in hunting areas. You can make your own first-aid kit or buy them ready-made from stores.
Proper clothing is extremely important for hunting. This is highly subjective, but most hunters prefer woolen clothes. These clothes are highly absorbent on the inside as you will sweat a lot during excursions. They come in various styles of camouflage to help you blend in with the environment.
If you are of an adventurous spirit, shooting activities can be a unique way to relieve stress. Embrace your inner marksman and shoot your troubles away.