NRA Women on Target Pistol Clinic

Each year the Southeast Idaho Practical Shooters club puts on a free "Ladies Day" where women can learn the basics of firearms safety and pistol shooting skills.  This year in addition to our regular Ladies Day event, we scheduled an "NRA Women on Target" Pistol Clinic.  We had 25 women attend this free event, a combination of basic marksmanship training and an introduction to the shooting sports.  The picture above shows the firing line at the SEIPS range.  We conducted the classroom portion of the clinic at the Idaho Fish & Game classroom.

The range safety officer, Kim Maskalenko, came all the way from San Diego, California to help out with the event.  She has participated in a number of Women on Target clinics in Southern California and was instrumental in the success of our first effort here in Idaho Falls.  You can't read the button on her collar, but it says, "You can't beat a woman who shoots."

It was easy to spot the coaches, called "mentors" at a Women on Target event.  They were the ones wearing the red vests and caps provided by the NRA.  Notice the correct grip and stance displayed in this picture.  Many beginners bring their heads down to the sights on the pistol, when the correct method (bring the gun up to eye level) is being demonstrated here.  You'll notice that we used .22 pistols and revolvers in the beginning and switched to centerfire guns once the basic skills were mastered.

Here's a picture of Kim checking on the time the attendees were on the range.  It was a hot dry day and we all needed to be reminded to "water up" as often as possible.  Mentors Christina and Belva are helping the students.

Here is a picture of one of the fun activities, an introduction to Cowboy Action Shooting.  Sandi Davis, the one with the Women on Target cap on top of her cowgirl hat, is teaching how to use a lever action rifle.  The women also had a chance to shoot the older model pump shotgun that's resting on the rack, and to shoot a couple of sixguns - the basic "battery" of a cowboy shooter.