I prefer to shoot outdoors so long as the weather permits. I'd rather have the flexibility to set up my own targets and not be inhibited by distance restrictions. I'm fortunate to have a few outdoor ranges available to me- they are all open, with no "supervision." They are in very rural areas.
When I shoot at these ranges, whether it's pistol, shotgun or rifle (or all of the above), I always keep a loaded handgun on my hip. Even if I'm training with my EDC, I always maintain a full magazine for reloading when I reset my targets, etc...
I'm reminded of the shooters from the 1986 Miami Dade shootout- months prior, the bad guys of the '86 shooting murdered a man shooting at an outdoor range, stole his car and began their bank robbery spree. I live in an area that has plenty of "underground" drug activity and while generally a safe area overall, it's also an easy place to perpetrate criminal activity as it is so rural.
Situational awareness isn't just necessary in public, densely-populated, busy areas. It's necessary wherever you carry.
When I shoot at these ranges, whether it's pistol, shotgun or rifle (or all of the above), I always keep a loaded handgun on my hip. Even if I'm training with my EDC, I always maintain a full magazine for reloading when I reset my targets, etc...
I'm reminded of the shooters from the 1986 Miami Dade shootout- months prior, the bad guys of the '86 shooting murdered a man shooting at an outdoor range, stole his car and began their bank robbery spree. I live in an area that has plenty of "underground" drug activity and while generally a safe area overall, it's also an easy place to perpetrate criminal activity as it is so rural.
Situational awareness isn't just necessary in public, densely-populated, busy areas. It's necessary wherever you carry.