Page 42 - Kansas Sportsman

keep this in mind when budgeting for
your range.

Setting up a maintenance schedule
can help. Consider the work required
to maintain the backdrop—be it a
natural one or something you’ve built.
Additionally, map out what you think
will be required to keep your shoot-
ing range in proper working order,
including trail maintenance, materials
reviews, target replacements, etc.

Clay points out, “If you’re having to
construct a backdrop, you’re going
Dan Brunk, Marketing Director at Hayden Outdoors,
to always need to add dirt. For active sights in his rifle before his elk hunt.
ranges, you’ll be replacing targets
constantly.”
can absolutely increase its worth. It’ll enhance the value to a
certain segment of buyers—people looking for hunting land
SAFETY TRAINING AND EDUCATION with a range set up.”

Personal shooting ranges provide a lot of opportunity. There’s To this point, he recommends getting in touch with a recrea-
the thrill of shooting, the possibility to improve, and camarade- tional real estate agent as soon as you decide you’re interested
rie of target practice with friends. But there’s also the benefit in a gun range property. Clay uses his expertise to identify and
of learning about the sport in a safe environment, one that can purchase legacy properties for his clients—the kind that speak
promote responsible gun ownership and firearm handling. to personal passions and generational family involvement.

For those looking to incorporate gun safety training and The avid outdoorsman drives the point home. “My family loves
education into their home gun range, Clay recommends a few to go out and clink at different things. My wife, daughter, and
things. First, the NRA offers an abundance of gun safety and son are all shooters. It becomes a fun competition with our
gun education resources, especially for those who are new to kids, and it’s a lifelong activity for our family. There are a lot of
the sport like young children and women—the fastest growing people buying firearms for recreational shooting, now more
segment of gun owners. than ever before.”

“I also always recommend people go to their local gun shop. Clay is quick to reiterate the need for encouraging responsible
Talk to them about training or people in the area who offer it and safe firearm use, while also pointing out how building a
locally. It’s a great way to learn the basics of gun safety as well gun range on your property offers an excellent opportunity to
as any local rules and regulations that might be relevant to your accomplish both. If you’re interested in learning more about
gun range.” selling property you feel is ideal for a home gun range, or you’re
in the market to buy recreational land that can become the
future home of one, talk with Clay Owens or a Hayden Outdoors
CONCLUSION
real estate professional today. They’re the outdoor experts
in the type of hunting or personal gun range property you’re
Adding a home gun range to your recreational property is a
looking for.
great way to increase the land’s versatility while also adding
value. Clay concludes, “Adding a gun range to your property

42 THE KANSAS SPORTSMAN | SPRING 2024