Des Moines – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced its involvement in National Shooting Sports Month, in partnership with the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), by offering a series of classes teaching shooting and outdoor skills to individuals with little or no experience.
Created to encourage participation in the shooting sports and emphasize firearms safety, National Shooting Sports Month will take place throughout the month of August.
“We are truly excited to see NSSF promoting National Shooting Sports Month,” said Chris Van Gorp, shooting sports coordinator for the Iowa DNR. “This is the perfect incentive for our regular range customers to introduce someone new to the sport they enjoy and for those who haven’t been out target shooting lately to get back out to there for some practice. We’re also offering a great promotion this month at both Banner and Olofson Shooting Ranges. For every paid hour of range time or round of clays during the month of August, you will be entered into a drawing for an annual range pass valued at $240. The winner will have the option to upgrade that pass to a family annual range pass for an additional $60. If you’re a fan of the shooting sports, or just want to give target shooting a try, come visit us to see what we have to offer.”
“Last year’s National Shooting Sports Month was a tremendous success, thanks to hundreds of ranges and retailers across the country reminding people about the fun and excitement of target shooting,” said Zach Snow, NSSF director, Retail & Range Business Development.
Whether you’re an experienced target shooter, a hunter or a person just becoming interested in acquiring a first firearm and learning how to shoot, NSSF invites you to head out to the range during National Shooting Sports Month so you can improve your shooting and firearm safety skills.
Visit letsgoshooting.org to learn more.
Be sure to “Like” NSSF’s Facebook page to see how others across the country are celebrating this special event. NSSF and [Iowa DNR] encourage you to share your National Shooting Sports Month experience on social media and to use the hashtag #LetsGoShooting.
Events Happening at Banner and Olofson Shooting Range in August
Pre-Register for classes at https://bit.ly/30FNYzv.
August 1: Trail Cameras – How/When/Where (Olofson)
August 3: First Shots Seminar (Banner)
August 8: Hunting with a New Hunter (Olofson)
August 10: Dutch Oven Cooking (Olofson)
August 10: 22 Rimfire Shoot - Rifle and/or Handgun (Banner)
August 15: Dove Hunting 101 (Olofson)
August 17: Learn to Shoot – Basic Wingshooting (Olofson)
August 17: Bowling Pin Shoot (Banner)
August 21: Learn to Hunt: Waterfowl ID, Hunter Regulations & Gear (Olofson)
August 22: Access 101 – Finding a Place to Hunt (Olofson)
August 24: First Shots Seminar (Olofson)
August 28: Learn to Hunt: Waterfowl Gear, Scouting and Decoy Spreads (Olofson)
August 29: Treestand Setup and Safety (Olofson)
The Butch Olofson Range is at 11652 NW Nissen Drive, Polk City
The Banner Range is at 13796 Elk Horn Street, Indianola
For more information on the shooting ranges in Iowa, go to https://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Places-to-Hunt-Shoot and click on Iowa Shooting Ranges.
First Shots Programs:
First Shots makes getting started in recreational shooting very easy - and, best of all, it's free! At this seminar, participants will receive: an educational introduction to the safe and recreational use of firearms, a clear understanding of the local requirements for owning and purchasing a firearm, individual and group training, a rundown of shooting sports opportunities for all levels of interest, and a chance to give shooting a try!
All firearms, ammunition and targets will be provided.
Snacks and drinks will be provided.
All participants that pre-register will receive the following items from NSSF:
- Safety Glasses (Howard Leight)
- Ear Protection (Howard Leight)
- Shoot-N-C Targets (Birchwood Casey)
- .22LR Ammo (Aguila) (25 rounds per participant)
- First Shots Pen
- Shooting Sports & Safety Brochure
ABOUT NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 12,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, visit www.nssf.org.