NSSF, the firearm industry trade association, recently announced the launch of its all-new First Shots Clay Targets program. Based on the highly successful First Shots introduction to handgun events, the new First Shots Clay Targets program allows outdoor ranges to capitalize on the growing interest in the clay target sports and engage those new to shotgun handling by delivering a safe, entertaining and personalized experience.
“We are thrilled that outdoor ranges now have an avenue that makes it easy for those interested in the clay target sports to get started,” said Zach Snow, NSSF Director, Retail & Range Business Development. “Best of all, First Shots works to turn those first-time customers into repeat, loyal clients.
“We specifically designed First Shots Clay Targets to reduce barriers to entry,” Snow explained. “Class cost is low, host ranges provide the rental firearms, ammunition and clay targets and NSSF provides eye and ear protection, classroom materials and other means of support. All someone interested in learning how to break clays has to do is sign up and show up. More important, though, First Shots Clay Targets works to turn those first shots into next shots. These events are intended to be tremendously engaging experiences that, backed by NSSF incentives, have students returning to their home range for more.”
First Shots events, generally 90 to 120 minutes long, consist of a combination of classroom time and range time. The classroom covers firearm safety rules and the basics of handling shotguns and how their actions work. This important segment can also be done out in the field for ranges without classroom or clubhouse space. Participants and instructors then head to the range for hands-on, one-on-one training that has students quickly breaking clays before instructors hold a Q&A session. Once their event is over, students are asked to take part in a survey, earning them a $25 rewards coupon for use on a return visit to the range upon survey completion.
NSSF provides support to its First Shots host ranges in a number of ways. In addition to the classroom materials and eye and ear protection, NSSF will award $100 to a host range for every 15 participants in First Shots Clay Targets events, up to $500 annually, to help offset the cost of ammunition, targets or other materials the range wishes to provide.
NSSF also serves as a marketing partner for host ranges. All ranges committed to hosting First Shots Clay Targets events will have those classes posted to the nationally promoted event calendars on www.LetsGoShooting.org and www.StepOutside.org. Host ranges also have an online resource center of email templates, press releases and other pre-formatted communications and digital branding assets to help promote their events through their mailing lists, website, social media channels and other traditional avenues such as print advertisements. NSSF also provides hosts with up to $3,000 in co-op advertising annually to help market their events.
Complete details about NSSF’s First Shots Clay Targets program are available at www.nssf.org/ranges/first-shots-home/first-shots-clay-targets. For questions, please contact Zach Snow at zsnow@nssf.org or (203) 426-1320 ext. 224, or Ann Gamauf, NSSF Manager, Retail & Range Services, at (203) 426-1320 ext. 247 or agamauf@nssf.org.
