Shooting sports have so much to offer — from teaching gunowners critical safety discipline, bringing people and communities closer together, and providing financial support for the state of Texas’ important wildlife conservation.  

Recreation and family-friendly fun: Target ranges offer a place to shoot safely, participate in instructional classes, and meet like-minded people. Competitive shooting sports have become enormously popular, and participants utilize a wide range of skills to compete in speed, accuracy, and technical proficiency. Shooting sports also encompass archery, which is highly popular in schools and with hunters seeking a new challenge. Lastly, target ranges can be a fun venue for special events like company or business outings, as well as bachelor/bachelorette and birthday parties.

Personal or Home protection: In the past few years alone, handgun purchases have increased in the U.S., and many sales have come from women and families aiming to take personal responsibility for their own safety and well-being. Understanding the importance of training at the range, as well as safe gun handling and storage practices, are critical for these shooters whether they are newcomers or experienced gun owners.

Don’t wait until the season opener to open the gun safe.

As the first hunts appear on the horizon, Texas hunters hit the ranges in full force to sight rifles and sharpen their skills.

Shooting a box of cartridges helps increase the likelihood of an accurate shot, and practicing with varying bullet grains helps ensure your shooting stays consistent and accurate while in the field.

Shotgunners should practice at various yardages to develop confidence and competence while wing shooting – usually at a sporting clays range that offers differing speeds, angles and presentation of clay birds for practice.

Archers can become better bowhunters by practicing with their hunting gear, in hunting scenarios and engaging game-animal-shaped 3D targets.

Where to Shoot your Shot

The National Sports Shooting Foundation (NSSF) Where to Shoot map shows gun ranges closest to your location. You can also find local organizations that are beneficial to finding other people interested in shooting sports, from family-friendly groups like 4-H Shooting Sports to licensed instructors who hold classes for every kind of shooter.

Shotgun shooting grew out of wing shooting and is now an Olympic sport. The skills required to take down a fast-moving target in the air require persistent practice. The good news is there are 3 major shotgun sports: trap, skeet and sporting clays, so a practice range shouldn’t be hard to find.

Whether you’re prepping for dove season, a tournament or shooting for fun, try these 3 at-home tips to build your skills:

1. Know your shotgun – Handle your unloaded gun often, working on your stance, mount, swing and follow-through.
2. Practice your mount – Mount your unloaded shotgun to your shoulder and cheek over and over. The goal is a smooth motion, eyes aligned down the barrel and on the target – without thinking about it.
3. Focus on the target – It sounds simple, but it’s common for shooters to lose focus when mounting their shotgun. You’ll find an exercise to help you keep your focus and more in our magazine story, Skill Builder: Patience, Practice, Persistence.

What’s the Difference? Trap, Skeet & Sporting Clays

These 3 major shotgun sports were originally developed to simulate shooting different species of birds. Each involves moving targets, but how they move is the main thing separating them. Trap clay targets move away from the shooter, skeet targets move side-to-side, and sporting clays targets fly in all directions. 

We all love taking a range day with our favorite firearm, and it’s easy to see why shooting sports can be so beneficial, but did you know sport shooters also are a significant funding source for state wildlife conservation in Texas?

Since the implementation of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act in 1937, and subsequent amendments in 1970 and 1972, sales of firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment used for shooting sports provide more than $9 million annually to wildlife conservation in the state. And as new gun ownership continues to rise, participation in shooting sports will increase, generating even more for conservation efforts, hunter education and other programs.        

Organizations involved in shooting sports — like NSSF — also play a vital role in state conservation efforts. These organizations bring communities together to support conservation and wildlife access programs that have resulted in billions of dollars donated in recent years.

As long as Texans are preparing for their next hunt, training for self-defense, or just looking to shoot a new gun, shooting sports will be a critical force for conservation.

Part of the enjoyment of shooting sports is being safely in control of your firearm at all times. That means controlling the direction of its muzzle while storing, handling, transporting and using it at the range, as well as securing your gun before and after shooting events and practice sessions.

Safe gun storage saves lives. Safely storing firearms protects others and keeps firearms out of the hands of criminals and children. The Texas Department of Public Safety has found that approximately one-third of homes with children have a firearm, and many of them are unlocked and loaded. Be a good sport – find out more about safe gun storage.

New gun owners and sports shooters: New gun owner? Beginning your shooting sports journey? Subscribe for information on gun and archery ranges, tips on shooting affordably, range etiquette and parents’ guides to shooting.

Experienced gun owners and sport shooters: Our upcoming issues will include tips for improving accuracy, choosing the best ammo for your needs, beginning long-distance shooting, 3D archery tips and more.