July was a long mournful month for the Community surrounding Gunsite Academy. 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots of Prescott lost their lives to a horrendous wildfire in the small community of Yarnell, just outside of Prescott Arizona. Over half of the little town lost their homes in the fire. Like most small communities we gathered, donated our services and our wares. Gunsite donated several 250 Pistol classes for silent auctions around Yavapai County to raise monies for the families. Today our flags are once again at full mast, but we still feel the loss.
July was a great month for training. We enjoyed our yearly monsoon season with afternoon showers and cool mornings. The high desserts are beautiful at this time of year.
In August we still have openings in our 250 and 350 pistol courses here at the Gunsite ranch, as well as our 2 Day pistol class in Colorado and our 250 Pistol class in Tennessee. Remember if you have a range, we can bring our instructors to you.
Things slow down just a bit for us on the Gunsite Ranch during August. This is the time of year we finalize next year’s course schedule and the 2014 calendar. You can now find the 2014 schedule on our website.
We are also beginning the planning sessions for the annual GAS match. The Gunsite Alumni Shoot is filling up very fast. Don’t put off signing up and risk missing out. This year promises to be the best yet!
A few of the ideas we are working on for 2014 include a Crimson Trace sponsored 250 course that will incorporate the use of lasers. We are also working on a carbine course that incorporates Night Vision and we are looking to offer some suppressor workshops as well. Check the website and follow our newsletters for updates on the new course offerings.
This year we changed the format for our shotgun classes. We now run the 260 course in a 3 day curriculum followed by the Shotgun Advance Tactical Problems (SATP) in a 2 day format. You can take them one at a time or both together in the same week. This has proved very popular with our clients as we have filled the first 3 classes this year. October will be your last chance this year with only a few seats left. If you want to learn how to use one of the best home defense weapons to its fullest potential, these are the courses that will get you there.
Our precision rifle courses have been doing so well this year that we have added a Long Range Rifle class the end of October. Extreme Long Range Rifle follows the first week of November. These courses are taught by world renowned experts who will teach you how to achieve hits out to 1,000 and 2,000 yards respectively.
June and July has given us the opportunity to work with many young adults on their summer vacation. We are told time and again by their parents that the child we give back to them after their Gunsite class is different. They are more mature as well as more responsible. Our Gunsite Instructors are some of the best role models a young adult can have.
As always, teach your children well. Take a youngster out to shoot today.
Buz Mills
Gunsite Ranch
