February Newsletter

From the desk of Ken Campbell

A crisp February greeting from the high desert of Arizona and the Gunsite Ranch.  Classes are underway for the 2015 season with a 250, Edged Weapons and Long Range Rifle in the rear-view mirror.

Folks seem to think we are hot in the summer (like Phoenix) and cold in the winter (like Flagstaff).  Neither are really true.  The folks from Phoenix come to Prescott to escape the heat in the summer and the folks in the high elevation of AZ come to us in the winter.

So . . . . Don’t let those classes scheduled in Spring and Summer fool you.  Often times the student numbers are lessened and the class is a near-tutorial.  February brings us a 250 preceding Valentine’s Day (The couple that shoots and trains together stays together!) with the three (3) day 260 Shotgun and two (2) day Shotgun Advanced Tactical Problems the following week.  The first 270 Rifle class is also scheduled for late February . . . .  Are you and your gear ready for that Spring hunt?

Speaking of Summer, have you heard of our “Summer Camp” for kids?  We offer a Youth 250 along with a 223 Carbine and a 250 Pistol the week of June 22.  If you sign up for the “adult” class, your teenager gets reduced tuition for their 250.  We offer it again July 13 with an accompanying adult 250.  That would be a “summer camp” not soon forgotten and would make an interesting “What I did on Summer Vacation” essay upon returning to school.  Teach a youngster to be responsible with firearms and they will be more responsible with all aspects of their life.  To make it even more ‘camp’ like check our our 5 Star campground under our lodging page.

If you’ve not “liked” us yet on Facebook, we try to post regularly on happenings at the Ranch as well as other current topics.  Visit our page and start reading and posting!  We are also beginning to “Tweet” on Twitter.  What we do is life-saving and we want to find more and better ways to reach our Gunsite Family.

The Pro-Shop has a new electronic presence on the Gunsite Web Page with specials on-going for our DVD Series.  We also have the Ladies’ Compression Shirts on sale for $8.50 while supplies last.  They make great Valentine’s Day gifts you know!

Dallas Safari Club was in early January and Jane Anne, Il Ling and Mario represented us to the hunters and shooters.  We immediately followed that up with a presence at SHOT.  (Always good to see Gunsite Family members there.)  Now we prepare for the Safari Club International Show back in Las Vegas.  Not far off is the NRA Convention in Nashville TN.  (Can you say “great food and music to match!”)

While the classes and shows are on-going, our Winter chores at the Ranch continue.  The floors in the classroom, store, office and buildings are stripped and buffed, carpets cleaned and general maintenance.  We also refurbish the Fun House, Play House, Ranges and outdoor simulators as needed.  New animals are appearing on the Safari Walk and North American Game Walk as well.  Our new clients (and returning ones) should navigate about the Ranch a bit easier as new signs are soon to be in place.  We also welcomed our new lunch provider “Catering by Liz.”  The menu is varied and quite tasty! Watch the website and this newsletter for new classes we have in the making.  The great Adjunct Faculty we are blessed to have are working hard on new challenges and learning opportunities for us.  Whew . . . . Here it is February 1 all this accomplished and more.

Remember there are several other celebrations beyond Valentine’s Day in February:  Ronald Reagan’s birthday, the anniversary of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America, and Arizona Statehood Day.  Please celebrate accordingly.

Finally, have you taken that young person out to shoot recently?  Contrary to popular belief, we are not getting any younger and we need to educate these good young Americans about shooting and our inalienable rights as a United States citizen.

We look forward to seeing you at Gunsite.

DVC,

Ken