Standards for Establishing Safe Ranges for 4-H Use

When establishing ranges for 4-H use, it is imperative that appropriate backstops or space for adequate shot fall be established for the safety of participants, spectators and the general public that may be in the area. The following are suggested guidelines to establish safe ranges for Georgia 4-H use.

.22 Rimfire Indoor

A USA Shooting approved range or commercial range must only be used for the indoor firing of 22 rimfire.

.22 Rimfire Outdoor

An earthen berm range must be used for rimfire events and practice. The berm may be either man made or a natural backstop firing into upward sloping land or land with natural backstops of a gully, ravine or hill to contain errant shots.

Air Pistol / Rifle

Air pistol/rifle should be conducted as indoor events. The range should consist of a target box that is capable of stopping a pellet on impact and a backstop of OSB plywood or similar product should be used behind the target line. If shooting air pistol/rifle outdoors, a berm or backstop material should be erected behind the target line to contain errant shots.

Archery Indoor

Backstop netting, OSB plywood or similar material, or a combination of both should be erected behind the firing line to contain errant arrows.

Archery Outdoor

When applicable, backstop netting should be used to contain errant arrows. There should be a minimum of 35 meters of “clear space” behind the target and 20 meters of “clear space” to the left and right of each target. Clear space is defined as a safety zone where there is no human activity.

BB Indoor

A safety backstop of canvas or other material through which a BB cannot penetrate shall be erected in the back of the target line. The backstop must extend the length of the firing line and a minimum of 5 meters to the left and right of the last target box to contain errant shots.

BB Outdoor

A Safety backstop of canvas or other material through which a BB cannot penetrate shall be erected in the back of the target line extending the length of the firing line designed to contain errant shots. A backstop does not have to be erected if there is an earthen burn present of if there is at least 100 yards of space behind the firing line with no human activity.

Shotgun

When establishing ranges for outside of commercial facilities, there must be a minimum shot fall zone of 300 yards. Shot fall zone is determined from the point of fire or shooting station in all directions of fire. The shot fall zone should either be wooded or pasture land and free from residential of commercial structures. The land considered for shot fall area should be free of human activity.