Practice Makes Perfect

A local shooting range roundup.

Getting ready to hunt means more than just acquiring gear. It also means knowing how to use it so you can kill animals quickly and ethically. Above all else, that takes the form of shooting your gun at the range. Send dozens of rounds downrange; practice shooting from different positions and distances; and most importantly, learn your limits and be prepared to stay within those bounds once afield. Here’s a selection of local ranges to practice at.

Logan
Located about 30 minutes from Bozeman, this range requires an annual membership to both the Manhattan Wildlife Association and the NRA. You must also attend an orientation day—of which there are only a few every year—so plan in advance.

Livingston
The Park County Rod & Gun Club runs a small shooting range just outside of Livingston. The annual fee is $52, but includes access to trap-shooting nights and new-shooter nights all summer.

Townsend
The Indian Creek Range near Townsend is run by the Broadwater Rod & Gun Club and has targets out to 1,000 yards. Like the other private ranges in the area, an annual membership fee is required.

Red Cliff
Located in Gallatin Canyon a few miles past Big Sky, the Red Cliff Range is maintained by the Forest Service and offers a handful of shooting lanes. It’s free, but get there early, especially if it’s close to hunting season.

Public Land
Shooting rifles is allowed on most state and federal land near Bozeman—outside of the weapon-restriction area immediately adjacent to town and a few other off-limits areas (including Hyalite). Find a safe spot with no people around and a good earthen backstop, and set up your own range. Make sure to take all trash, spent shells, and targets with you at the end of the day.