The Field and Range

The Range Day for this course will be held at the Northern Mississippi Range Association’s Gordy Buchanan Memorial Range six miles south of Cass Lake.  See The Maps page for directions and maps.

The Field and Range Test will be the opportunity to display the responsible safety practices we have studied while participating in shooting and hunting scenarios.  The Field and Range requirements consist of the Field Walk Activity and the Range Live-Fire Activity.  You will be expected to follow the commands of the range-master at all times for the safety of everyone participating, instructing, and attending.

Everyone will be asked a list of questions to explain their understanding of their firearm and the field while demonstrating safe firearms handling in field carries and hunting situations, such as a duck boat or a treestand.  Everyone will also be demonstrating safe firearms handling while loading and shooting five rounds from a .22 rifle while in each of the four standard shooting positions.  Refer to pages 5-7 in the Student Manual for a complete list of some of the activities we will be covering.

If you have a .22 long rifle caliber rifle with a functioning safety mechanism available to you and you are comfortable with using it in the field, bring it with you to use for the Field and Range test.  This is the only firearm you may bring with you and please do not bring any ammunition, it will be supplied for you.  If you do not have a .22 rifle available to you, I will have one you can use for the test activities.

If you do not have your own range approved eye and ear protection, it will be provided for you.  This is a requirement of the course and range, and there will be no exceptions.  You should bring a beverage, snack, mosquito repellent, and sunscreen if you should feel you will need it because these will not be provided.

Also, you will be participating in field and range activities that require the proper attire.  Unless the weather conditions turn severe, in which case there will be an announcement posted to this site, we will be continuing with the schedule of events rain or shine.  Dress appropriately for the weather and the activities; long pants, sturdy shoes, a proper shirt and jacket, and a hat that is preferably blaze orange are all suggested.  Do not wear shorts, a tank-top, and sandals.

Beyond the required shooting for the test, you will also have the opportunity to do some target shooting on the shotgun trap range, the centerfire rifle range, and possibly muzzleloading and archery as well.  These extra shooting activities are not required, but I would strongly encourage everyone to try everything we have available to you on Range Day.  For these extra activities, the instructors will supply all firearms and ammunition.

Let’s have a great day at the range for the Field Test and some Shooting!