Recommend a Rifle Instructor for Madison, WI?

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MattC

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Madison, WI
I'm a student at the UW graduating in May and want to take up deer hunting after I graduate. Originally from Kenosha, I just purchased a .22 rifle there over winter break as a starting gun. I have no hunting history, and my firearm background is mainly shooting dad's 12 gauge around the farm. I have no rifle experience or formal firearm education.

Prior to taking a hunter safety course this summer, I want to gain experience with rifle shooting. Using Google, I haven't found any rifle ranges within 15 miles of campus. Are there any instructors on the board who can teach me on private property closer to Madison? Or any recommendations?

I have always heard that it's better to learn how to shoot correctly the first time than to later struggle trying to correct the flaws.

Thanks in advance for the help!
 
Congratulations on your upcoming graduation!

It's also inspiring to hear about the interest in shooting & hunting given the extreme liberal environment you've endured at UW-Madison over the past few years.

There are several ranges in the Madison area although they aren't necessarily 15 minutes from campus. There are clubs in the Sun Prairie area, such as North Bristol and also there is a range in Portage, WI with minimal annual membership fees.

The Civilian Marksmanship program has some references:

http://www.odcmp.com/Coaching/contact.htm

Another way you can generate contacts is to visit local gunshops and look the "board" that most have with want ads & business cards posted and to also talk with the store staff to get some word of mouth referrals.

Having been brought up on a farm "up North", in a family (both immediate and extended) where shooting/hunting has been a big part of my life from the beginning, it's something I've always known. It's hard to be able to give advice on how to get started other than to also suggest finding friends with a hunting background and getting assimilated into those circles.

When you take your hunter's safety course, which is an absolute must, you'll also get exposed to some contacts who can help steer you in the right direction and open up more opportunities.
 
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Here is the only club in Dane County that you can shoot centerfire rifles.
http://stoughtoncc.org/

Nice club and you can shoot your .22 rifle at the indoor 50' range anytime. There are not rifle classes but I believe somebody is starting a .22 rifle indoor league and there will be plenty of people willing to help.
 
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