Sporting clay shooting is a fun activity for the entire family. Safety is first and most essential. It is mandatory that every shooter know and exercise safe gun handling and shooting practices. Another essential element is courtesy; only when you and those around you are exhibiting safe and courteous behavior will the sport be its most enjoyable. Please read and understand the safety rules below; every shooter and spectator will be required to follow them.
Uniformed security, EMS personnel and Range Officers on site during all tournaments.
Pawnee ear buds provided.
Pawnee Release, Waiver of Liability & Indemnity Agreement
Pawnee Safety Rules
- Empty and Open Rule: Guns must be empty and open at all times except when they are inside a shooting station window, the target area is clear and safe and the shooter is preparing to shoot.
- Familiarity with Gun: Shooters must be familiar with the operation of their gun. If the shooter is shooting a borrowed gun, or has not shot recently, he/she must make sure to become fully accustomed to the gun’s operation before the shoot.
- Clear Bores: Before shooting the first target and immediately after any misfire or squib (unusually light report), the shooter must confirm that the gun’s bore(s) are CLEAR before reloading. Under no circumstances may a shooter load or fire a gun that does not have completely clear bore(s).
- Shooting: All shots must be taken through the window of a shooting station. Shooting from anywhere else including “next to” or “in front of ” a station is strictly prohibited. A shooter on one station may not shoot at targets thrown for another station. Certain stations have yellow/black markers to denote “in-bounds” areas. Shooters may not swing or shoot a gun except in bounds. A shooter may not load more than two shells at a time. Maximum shot size: (steel) 7 (lead) 7-1/2.
- Jams: Jammed guns must be cleared in the shooting station with the gun inside the shooting window and pointed in a safe direction. Shooters who do not know how to safely clear a jam must request assistance from a Range Officer.
- Misfires: A misfire (a “click” with no discharge) may indicate a failure of the shooter or gun to load the chamber, or it may indicate a potentially hazardous ammunition malfunction or bore blockage. Prudence demands that all misfires be treated as if caused by the latter conditions. After any misfire, the shooter must wait several moments with the gun pointed safely before opening it. He/she must then clear the gun and confirm that the bore(s) are free before reloading.
- “Squibs”: A squib fire (an unusually light report upon firing, sometimes followed by shot falling a few feet away) may indicate an ammunition malfunction that could leave a blocked bore. After any squib fire, the shooter must clear the gun and confirm that the bore(s) are clear before reloading.
- Carry only One Gauge of Ammunition: A shooter may not carry ammunition except in the gauge of the gun he/she is shooting. Before entering the course, shooters should carefully check any shell holding pouches to confirm that no shells of another gauge have been inadvertently left from a previous outing.
- Leaving a Station: Before the shooter steps out of a station, the gun must be unloaded and the action open. When leaving a station, autos and pumps must be carried pointed up.
- Racking: Guns must be unloaded and racked vertically. Autos and pumps must be racked with the action open. Empty double shotguns may be temporarily closed for racking, which enables storing the gun more securely. However, they must be reopened immediately when they are picked up.
- Carrying (Autos and Pumps): Auto and pump shotguns must be carried pointed vertically with the muzzle above head height and with the action open and visible to people nearby.
- Carrying (Doubles): Double shotguns must be empty and broken when carried. In crowded quarters, doubles should be carried in hand or under the arm. Carrying an open double over the shoulder should be restricted to non-crowded situations to avoid striking someone who may be close behind the person carrying the gun.
- Alcohol and Drugs: No alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs are allowed on the course. A shooter may not consume alcohol until he/she has put the gun away for the day. If a shooter is taking a prescription drug that may affect judgment or motor skills, he/she must not shoot.
- Traps, Towers, Paths, Bridges and Roads: Everyone must stay on the course paths and roads. Persons crossing the suspension bridge should be aware that the roadbed is flexible and should hold on to the handrail. No one may cross a caution tape. Traps and towers may be approached and operated only by authorized Range staff members