Waitsburg Gun Club has busy October planned

WAITSBURG-The Waitsburg Gun Club has a busy schedule for October. With hunting season just around the corner, the volunteer-run gun range has training, sight-in days, and trap shoots planned.

On October 3, at 9 a.m, the Waitsburg Gun Club will be hosting a Range Safety Officer (RSO) training. Range Safety Officer training teaches volunteers the necessary knowledge, skills, and temperament essential for organizing, conducting, and supervising safe shooting events and activities, as well as range operations.

To be certified, volunteers must be at least 21 years of age, be active during class discussions, and complete all coursework. Becoming an RSO does present paid job opportunities; however, none are currently available at the Frank Bramlett Range in Waitsburg.

The training is $100 per person and covers the cost of the necessary textbooks. Once the training is completed, the certification carries over to gun ranges across the nation: It is not specific to Waitsburg's range. Three local Chief Range Safety Officers, including Daves, will be teaching class. Interested individuals must register online at http://www.nrainstructors.org.

"More and more people are becoming firearm owners," Daves said, "We need to make sure they know what they are doing, as well."

Roughly ten years ago, the Waitsburg Gun Club stopped hosting shooting competitions, like turkey shoots, and President Cindy Daves said that the club is hopeful they will gain RSO's so the club can begin hosting events again.

On October 10, the Gun Club will open up to the public for a Sight-In Day. Members and non-members are invited to utilize the range to zero in on targets, for $10 per firearm (targets included), in preparation for the upcoming hunting seasons.

"Last year, we got several phone calls or stop-ins, asking 'hey, are you guys open, can we sight in before we head to the mountains. They were people getting ready to hunt in the Tucannon Wilderness," Daves said. "We wanted to make sure we could reopen and have a designated day that people can come and sight in."

The money raised during the Sight-In day will support the range improvements projects the club has been working on over the past year. One crucial project members have taken on is replacing the ecology blocks between the different ranges, both pistol and rifle.

If you would like to support the renovations at the range, send donations to the Gun Club at P.O Box 61, Waitsburg, WA. Each of the ecology blocks cost $40, and Daves is excited to share that the club had received enough donations to cover half of the project as of Tuesday morning.

"This is our year to get reestablished," Daves said. "October 10 is actually our (65th) anniversary!" The Waitsburg Gun Club was founded in 1955, known originally as the Rifle and Pistol Club.

As always, Tuesday Night Trap Shooting is open and runs from 6 p.m. until dark.

"I can tell you, I belong to numerous gun clubs all over the Northwest. I have shot trap since I was a little kid and the neatest thing about it is everything gets done by volunteers... that's what makes this sport special," said long-time member and trap shooting enthusiast Jack Miller. Volunteers, especially Range Safety Officers, are always welcome at Tuesday Trap Shoots.

For further information about training or upcoming events, contact Cindy Daves at Sec.WaitsburgGunClub@outlook.com.