About the Idaho Women’s Only Rifle Class

IMAGE: Idaho Women's Only Workshops - Beginning Rifle Course

Idaho Women’s Only Rifle Class 101 essentials of owning and using a rifle. This is where Training meets Technology, where Modern Gun Training Techniques are used to help students learn and progress.

Many rifles are available, and choosing the correct rifle for your needs is not always easy. We help you navigate the complicated selection of rifles available so you can make an intelligent and informed decision when you choose a rifle.

This is the only Women’s Only Workshop Rifle Class to learn in a safe and relaxed environment where questions are encouraged, and learning is supported.

No surprises here, it’s a women-only workshop taught by a women instructor.
It’s our time out and his time to watch the kids!

This Women’s Only Rifle Class is designed for women with little rifle experience. The workshop is taught by a nationally recognized female instructor who knows how to make this class a fun and enjoyable experience.

Women will learn the essentials of safe rifle handling, shooting, and maintenance in a casual environment.

This course uses hands-on instruction, visual presentations, expert lectures, Idaho Laws, and fun range drills to enhance the learning experience.  Instruction by certified Level 1 Firearms Training Instructors and qualified guest instructors.


Idaho Women’s Only Workshop – Rifle Class Essentials 101


Class Curriculum

Types of Firearms Actions

Our class will discuss the various rifle actions available to women in today’s marketplace. Rifle actions are one of the most important deciding factors when choosing a rifle for hunting, sport, or personal defense.

Rifle actions behave very differently from each other. While they all share common components, some are more difficult than others to operate. During class, we will discuss these options in great depth to determine the use of the rifle, the various plusses and minuses of rifle actions, and the correct manner in which they will be stored when not in use.

Lever-Action Rifles

IMAGE: Lever-Action Rifle

Lever-Action Rifles are also discussed during our Idaho Rifle Essentials 101 Course.

Lever-Action rifles have been around since 1860; think about that for a moment. The lever-action rifle exists because of its relatively simple design and ease of use. It is a time-tested, low-maintenance rifle with modern applications for hunting, self-defense, and general recreational use.

Lever-action rifles can accommodate a wide variety of ammunition sizes from .22 to 30-30. The longer barrel associated with the double-action rifle allows them to reach far distances and are just as effective whether hunting for a squirrel to an elk, depending on caliber of course.

Loading, Cocking, Shooting, Decocking, and Unloading a Rifle

These are all processes involved when preparing, shooting, and emptying a firearm. As you can see, you must perform at least five different actions at any given time. Since there is a wide variety of firearms, each gun brought to your Idaho Pistol Essentials Class will be demonstrated to the class and the owners. We will work with you individually to ensure you understand all the processes involved before you go to the range. As a general overview, here is a description of the steps:

  • Loading: Loading consists of placing cartridges into the holding area of the firearm before shooting. For revolvers, this involves placing the cartridges into the cylinder chambers. For semi-automatic pistols, you place the cartridges into the magazine.
  • Cocking: Cocking is preparing the gun to shoot. Because of the various rifle actions available, it is difficult to come up with a simple explanation. The most popular rifle methods for cocking a rifle are explained during class.
  • Shooting: The process of shooting a firearm is relatively the same for all rifles. At the press of the trigger, the hammer drops, and the bullet is discharged from the firearm.
  • Decocking: You can relate decocking to the opposite of cocking your firearm. When you decock, the firearm is essentially placed into a state where it can not fire. There are several ways of decocking depending on your firearm, which will be discussed in class.
  • Unloading: Unloading brings us full circle to the beginning when we loaded our firearm. In this case, we reverse the loading process by removing cartridges from the rifle’s chamber, and magazines if available, and placing the ammunition in a locked and secure safe for the next time we plan to have some fun at the range.

Fundamentals of Rifle Ammunition

IMAGE: Rifle Ammo

Rifle ammunition is not overly complicated for the average user, especially when considering options for target practice.

Hunting ammunition can get a little more complicated, but it’s very straightforward once you understand the basics. We discuss ammunition options in-depth during the Idaho Women’s Only Rifle Course.

Rifle Ammunition – Many Varieties

Medium Varmint Hunting Ammo

Medium Varmint Ammunition generally applies to jackrabbits opossums and raccoons.

.17 ammunition provides a little more penetration and provides a little more expansion than .22 ammo cousins. These larger varmints need just a little extra “bang-for-the-buck”.

Rifle Care and Maintenance

Rounding out our Idaho Women’s Only Beginner Rifle 101 Course is a lesson in caring for and maintaining your pistol for a lifetime of enjoyment. While many revolvers and semi-automatic pistols are available, they essentially share the same mechanisms and components that must be cleaned and oiled regularly. Your primary needs when considering a gun cleaning kit are:

  • Cloth Patches
  • Cleaning Rods and Attachments
  • Bore Brush
  • Bore Tips for Patches
  • Small Brush
  • Gun Cleaner and Oil – Some cleaning options include an all-in-one approach
  • Soft Cloth

No matter how often you shoot or don’t shoot, it’s important to establish a cleaning routine for your rifle. It is recommended the rifle be cleaned after each visit to the range, but that depends on how much ammunition you used during your visit.

It’s important to clean, oil, and maintain your rifle at least once every three (3) months, less is needed if you use it only during hunting season. Remember that rifles are mechanical devices – you don’t want them to fail when you need them. Dust accumulates quickly, even when your firearm is sitting in your safe. Optics get dirty and can fail if not cleaned and kept in good working order, including any batteries that need to be changed. Ensuring your rifle is cleaned, oiled, and properly maintained should last you a lifetime and be ready for use when needed.

Keep Idaho Rifles Secure At All Times

Image: Gun Safes in Idaho should be utilized mwhen firearms are not in use.

You hear it all the time, you see it in the NEWS almost every day – a mass shooting takes place. Blame the guns, and take them away; it’s for everyone’s safety. Only criminals will be armed if we allow the government to confiscate our guns. It is every gun owner’s responsibility to keep their guns secure. We must demonstrate a reasonable, responsible, and common sense approach to securing our firearms from theft and being used in a crime. This means we must always keep them in a safe, locked, and secured location.

This Is A Two Training Class!

Why is this a 2-day course? Our Idaho Rifle Essentials 101 Course is the best training you will receive in Idaho, there are no shortcuts in learning how to properly own and use a rifle.

Where Training Meets Technology, we train using Modern Gun Training Techniques which all but ensures you will know everything you need to know by the end of class. We want you to be completely trained when handling a firearm.

Indoor ranges in Idaho do not accommodate outside instructors which makes no sense – we are literally bringing them, customers! We have chosen to utilize one of the several outdoor ranges in the Treasure Valley who appreciate us bringing them, customers

Indoor ranges are loud, really loud. You cannot hear the instructor while training and are extremely restrictive with what we can teach.

Outdoor ranges provide freedom of teaching without the loud distraction you experience when training in an indoor range. We can take our time training – there’s no rush – you’re not paying a lot of money per hour, students can hear us, there are little to no distractions, and there’s no need to rush you through the skill-building portion of class. You learn in a safe, comfortable, and fairly quiet environment.

Outdoor ranges in Idaho are extremely hot or cold in the late afternoons which distracts new students from concentrating.

Safety First

Safety is always the primary concern when handling and storing a firearm. Depending on the circumstances, these two topics are mutually vital for the responsible Idaho gun owner to follow.

When handling a firearm in Idaho, the following safe gun-handling rules must always be observed:

  1. Keep the Firearm Pointed in a Safe Direction at all times. Some training academies will state the number one rule is always to treat the gun as if it is loaded. This is an obvious and unnecessary statement. By pointing the gun in a safe direction when you are handling it, you are treating it as if it is loaded.
  2. Keep Firearms Unloaded Until Ready for Use: Your firearm does not need to be loaded if it is not in use. It is best practice to keep your ammunition stored in a separate safe away from your firearm, so the two are never accessible simultaneously. While there are times when the firearm should be loaded, such as carrying for personal protection, the general rule of having it unloaded applies to most circumstances.
  3. Keep Your Finger Off the Trigger: Modern firearms, even older ones, will not discharge a bullet unless the firearm is prepared for firing and the trigger is pressed. By keeping your finger high on the frame while handling a firearm, there is no chance the firearm will discharge itself. Even if it were to discharge, no one and nothing would get damaged because of rule number one.
  4. Know Your Target and Beyond: It is very important to know what’s behind your target, whether at an indoor or outdoor range. Bullets can travel over a mile, others even more. It is your responsibility where that bullet impacts no matter the situation. Be sure your bullet will not hit an innocent person or someone’s property.
  5. No Drugs, alcohol, nor cannabis are allowed at the range. If the training instructor suspects use, you will be asked to leave the class and accept a failure without rescheduling options.

Prerequisites:

  • You must be a woman to attend this class.

Adherence to the primary safety rules must always be followed.

  1. Keep the Firearm Pointed in a Safe Direction.
  2. Keep the Firearm Unloaded Until Ready to Use.
  3. Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until Ready to Shoot.
  4. Know Your Target and Beyond.
  5. No Drugs, Alcohol, nor Cannabis are Allowed At The Range.

See Additional Safety Rules

Equipment:

  • A personal rifle of any caliber, cased, secured, and free of ammunition.

If you do not own a rifle, we recommend taking this course before purchasing one. Rifle rentals are available, including ammunition, during check-out.

  • Pistol Case. Preferably lockable for transportation purposes.
  • Training Cartridges (Dummy Rounds): At least 5 Training Cartridges in the correct caliber are needed for this class.
    • Can be found at local sporting goods stores or online.
  • Suitable Eye Protection. This can be wraparound eyewear, polycarbonate lenses, or non-shattering prescription glasses.
  • Suitable Ear Protection. We recommend electronic noise-canceling earmuffs, but earplugs are acceptable.
  • Two-Point Rifle Sling.
  • Range: Check the weather report on the day of class.
  • Beverages for Hydration.
  • Bring snacks for breaks. Snacks – Are allowed at the range – snacks are not allowed on the firing line.
  • Wear appropriate clothing for the weather.
  • Bug Spray for the critters.
  • No V-Neck Shirts or Open-toed shoes are allowed.
  • Head covering if necessary.
  • Sunscreen or jackets when needed.

Ammunition:

  • 100 Rounds of Quality, store-bought ammunition (no tracers, steel, or reloads allowed – ammunition to remain in your vehicle at all times).

Additional Information

  • Lead core ammunition is used on steel only.
  • No green/brown tips or armor-piercing rounds are allowed.
  • Note: Use of reloaded or steel-core ammunition will cause immediate failure and expulsion from class.

Optional but highly recommended:

  • Knee Pads – for range day and private shooting drills afterward.
  • Small Personal Canopy during the summer season when temperatures are expected to be high.
  • Folding chair and a small folding table to create your workstation (bench).
  • Estimated Length: 6 hours.

Benefits of Continued Training

There’s even planning under-development for an Idaho Women Only Workshop Class, which will take the intermediate shooter to the next level.

Women’s rifle groups are popular in Idaho. They are a lot of fun, easy to join, and provide sound instruction beyond a basic rifle class. We encourage all women who enjoy rifle shooting to join one of these leagues.