Wild NJ on the Hunt: "Annie Get Your Gun" for Ladies Day at Highland Lakes range
The “High Power Rifle” range
All photos courtesy of Robin Egbert
By Robin Egbert
It started off as a wet and rainy morning, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of the 260 women and young girls that showed up several weeks ago at Cherry Ridge Range in Highland Lakes for “Ladies Day At The Range.” My 10-year-old daughter Deidre and I were two of the participants that day at one of the several free events hosted by the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs along with the NRA. Steve Potts, Co-Chair of Training and Outreach for the ANJRPC organized this event consisting of over 70 volunteers, many of whom are NRA Certified Instructors. All were professional and knowledgeable in the manner in which they dealt with the ladies. Employees of the Kenvil IHOP, owned by Lou DeMaio, were also on hand offering breakfast and lunch for a minimal fee.
After a mandatory briefing on both gun and range safety, each of the female participants was issued a colored wrist band to indicate to the instructors and range safety officers on the ranges that the ladies had indeed fulfilled the safety briefing requirements. We were also given a “Ladies Day At The Range” T-Shirt and 4 color-coded tickets, each one valid at a different one of the 4 ranges. All firearms and safety equipment was provided.
The "Shotgun" range
Our next stop brought us to the “Falling Plates” range where we were given 22 caliber Target Rifles to shoot at 5 plates situated in metal stanchions. I was successful in hitting all 5 plates, while Deidre hit 4 out of the 5.
The “Falling Plates” range
The third range was the “High Power Rifle” range where we were instructed in the proper handling, use and shooting of a semi-automatic style rifle at targets at a distance of 50 yards. Jerry Martin, also Co-Chair of Training and Outreach for the ANJRPC and a NRA Certified Training Counselor and Instructor was more than patient with Deidre, calming her apprehensions while boosting her confidence until she was mentally prepared to shoot unassisted. And when she finally shot on her own, her shots were dead on. I did equally well at this range also.
Finally, our day ended at the “Pistol” range where we were given the opportunity to shoot not only a 9mm Pistol, but also a single action western style handgun. Having always wanted to shoot a 9mm handgun, I have to admit that this range was my favorite, as well as, my most successful. Deidre’s favorite was also this range, but she really enjoyed shooting the western style revolver.
The “Pistol” range
It was interesting to see so many ladies of all ages, sizes, shapes, ethnic and religious backgrounds gather for this event. And although some came never having discharged a firearm before, and some came to test their skills, we all went to exercise our 2nd Amendment Right and to share in a commerodery of sisterhood.
The next event that the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs along with the NRA will be hosting will again be at Cherry Ridge Range in Highland Lakes on Saturday, October 9, 2010, so join us all for “NRA Family Day At The Range.”
Robin Egbert runs the hunting and fishing website MsGrit.com.
Previous Wild NJ On the Hunt stories:
- Wild NJ On the Hunt: Treasured hunting spot bulldozed over in name of "progress"
- Wild NJ On the Hunt: Mother and son team up for first Bow Buck
Posted by WILDNEWJERSEY at 8/25/2010 9:00 AM 
Categories: Wild NJ On the Hunt
Tags: shotgun rifle pistol nra ladies day at the range cherry ridge range highland lakes new jersey rifle and pistol club
Categories: Wild NJ On the Hunt
Tags: shotgun rifle pistol nra ladies day at the range cherry ridge range highland lakes new jersey rifle and pistol club
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