Silhouette shooting, other events promoted by national organization

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) currently features a new website to help shooters and hunters enjoy their recreation. The NSSF combs the country and reports on new hunting lands, seasons, ranges, and more in every state. Online visitors to the website are encouraged to click a link to "Tracking Hunting and Shooting Opportunities in Every State," where Kansas is prominently listed at the top of the page. A link to "Kansas Silhouette Shooting Events" is the currently-featured link.

The Fancy Creek Shooting Range, operated by the Friends of Fancy Creek Range, is located at Tuttle Creek State Park. The club offers special silhouette shooting events on the second and fourth Sunday of each month. The shoots begin at 10 a.m. and run until 3 p.m. They are open to the public and follow National Rifle Association (NRA) rules for silhouette shooting. Event fees are $20 per shooter.

Silhouette shooting involves firing at metallic targets of different shapes from various distances. Unlike most conventional target games that use paper targets and numerical scoring rings, almost every shot fired at a metallic silhouette produces an immediate and clearly-visible result. Even misses produce a cloud of dust. For each five-round stage (one shot, left to right, at each target in a bank of five), a shooter is allowed a maximum of 2 1/2 minutes. For more information on the silhouette shoots, contact Wes Esping at 785-770-7500.

For other types of shooting and general practice, the range is also open to the public on the first and third weekend and the fourth Thursday of each month. An annual or daily state park vehicle permit is required to access the range. During November, the range is open each Saturday. Range hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The range accommodates pistols at 10 and 20 yards, and rifles at 50 and 100 yards. Certified range masters are always present to ensure safety and provide instruction.

Another link on the NSSF website takes the viewer to a list of hunting and shooting events in Kansas. Events range from sporting clays to special events for women and youth. Each event listed has its own link to the event's website and complete details.
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