Skeet and trap shooting safety tips

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  While every skeet and trap shooter's competition level differs, all participants should aim equally to stay out of harm's way while at play. In order to prevent an unfortunate incident, skeet and trap shooters should keep safety in mind at all times.

"Each person handling a gun should practice safety because any gun can potentially kill," said Mr. Tim Allen, 509th Force Support Squadron outdoor recreations manager at this Air Force Global Strike Command base. "Participants should understand and follow safety posted guidelines and instructions."

Ms. Laura Brunner, 509th FSS outdoor recreation ITT representative, said that when you have any type of gun in your possession, you should always know the target and surroundings in order to prevent injury.

Before skeet and trap range shooters embark on this recreational sport, precautions and permits are needed to ensure shooting is done in a safe manner.

The following skeet and trap safety tips and rules are courtesy of the 509th FSS outdoor recreation:

- No riffles or pistols allowed; scatterguns only.
-All rules and regulations governing the use of the trap and skeet range will be obeyed. Failure to comply will result in loss of range privileges.
-Only approved range targets from outdoor recreation will be permitted on the range for use. No glass or beverage can targets will be permitted.
-All shooting will take place on the designated shooting squares only.
-Shooting will not commence until all individuals are behind the firing line.
-No more than two shells will be loaded in the shotgun at any one time.
-Persons under 15 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
-The consumption of alcoholic beverages on the range is strictly prohibited.
-No ammunition larger than #7-1/2
-Anyone on the range reserves the right to inspect any weapon that they consider unsafe. If the weapon is determined to be unsafe, the owner must immediately remove said weapon from the range area. A report must be filled out and forwarded to outdoor recreation for final determination.
-Shotguns will either be broke open or carried with the bolt in the fully rearward position unless the shooter is on a designated shooting square.
-Hearing and eye protection is mandatory for all shooters and range personnel.
-The range will be closed in the event of lightning potential within three nautical miles or sustained winds in excess of 25 mph. If you see lightning, leave the range. Do not wait for someone to tell you lightning is too close.

Customers wishing to use the skeet range must attend a hunter's safety course prior to any activity. For more information about the next available class, contact the outdoor recreation staff at (660) 687-5565.

When transporting weapons on and off base, reference the Whiteman Air Force Base Air Force Instruction 31-101v2 or contact Mr. Jerry Osban at (660) 687-4482. Those transporting weapons other than from base should follow Missouri State law.

The skeet range is located off-base and is open year round, seven-days a week and operating hours are 30-mintues prior to sunrise and after sunset. The range is open to active duty, guard, reserve, retired military personnel, Department of Defense civilians and dependents and registered members are allowed to bring non-military as guests.