I've been talking with family and I'm throwing around the idea of a new shooting range out here in West Tx (sorry dfw guys).

It would be between Midland and Odessa off 1788 just south of I-20 (maybe 2-3 miles).

My questions are:

1.) Is there enough demand for one in this area? Most people I know around here have private ranges or they're just SOL currently.

2.) What legalities and/or channels would I have to go through to set up a public range?


I think this would be a great idea, but then again, our neighbor was once a shooting range...and it aparently wasnt profitable.

Contact the NRA. There are few barriers as far as permits but liability issues abound.

You need to make a decision and that will be indoor pistol or outdoor. If indoor will you include bow and outdoor how much will you include. It's very very difficult to generate enough revenue from shooting only. Most place will have other revenue streams just to keep the places going, such as a gunsmith shop or attempting to compete with outfits like Midway to Academy. I'd really think of the range as only a lost leader in the scheme of things.

There is a shooting range just west of Pampa, TX that is not monitored. You pay $60/year for the combo to the gate and come and go as you please. They have a rifle range that goes out to 400 and a seperate area for pistols and rimfire as well as an area set up for cowboy shoots. It has a covered shooting area with about a dozen benches. I believe there is an indoor pistol range associtated with it that is in town as well and it is open 24/7. I'm not sure who owns the property or shooting club but I really enjoy that setup. I have no idea of the liability issues on something like that either. You may be able to get some more info on who owns it or how it's run by contacting Pampa Pawn, that's where I always pay my membership.

Definitely outdoor. My ranch burned up in the wildfires and I figure if I ever want to do something with the land, then now is the time.

The one in Pampa may be set up as a club and will be a non-profit. If you own it as a business you'd better be staffed. Liablilty will be very expensive and if there is an accident, chances are you'll see a laywer wanting money. I'll check into some stuff for you over the next few days

Check out the National Shooting Sports Foundation website.

There is a lot of good information on ranges from grants, to marketing, to design and more. Look through their digital library.

http://www.nssf.org/ranges/RangeResources/index.cfm