Training
Within the SMGC Training SIG's membership more than a dozen NRA Certified Instructors, MDNR Hunter Education, International Bow (Hunter) Education Program Instructors, Rangemaster Instructors, and MCRGO (Michigan Coalition of Responsible Gun Owners) CPL classes.
Collectively, we NRA instructors hold certifications in Basic Pistol, Basic Rifle, Basic Shotgun, Home Firearms Safety, Personal Protection In The Home (CPL), Personal Protection Outside The Home (advanced CPL), Metallic Cartridge Reloading, Shotshell Reloading, and Chief Range Safety Officer.
Among the Instructor group we also have multiple instructors who volunteer their time and efforts teaching for the Law Enforcement Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources as Hunter Education and International Bow hunter Education Program Instructors. We also have within the Training SIG the Kalamazoo County Hunter Education Instructor Coordinator overseeing all H.E. instruction in Kalamazoo County.
If interested in Hunter Education before buying your first hunting license, please contact the Training SIG via the email address at the end of your monthly newsletter or from elsewhere on this website.
Currently we offer annual MDNR Hunter Education in August and September each year, watch your club calendar and newsletter for sign up information.
The Training SIG has offered a 'try before your buy' program, led by a couple of the instructors, which allows for the person who is new to the shooting sports an opportunity to handle and try various handguns before they make the investment in their first handgun. These efforts may or may not be held on SMGC properties based upon availability of classroom and/or range time @ SMGC.
We also have offered, periodically, hand loading classes both at SMGC and non SMGC properties, again depending upon the availability of classroom scheduling @ SMGC and other venues. Hand loading classes require the movement and setup of multiple pieces of equipment which makes it quite time consuming for the instructors, making locations other than SMGC easier to accommodate.
We offer CPL and CPL Renewal classes periodically, watch your club calendar for training offerings, again depending upon the availability of classroom and range time these classes maybe scheduled @ SMGC and other local venues.
In past years we have been fortunate enough to have two NRA Training Counselors from Watervliet Rod and Gun Club providing the NRA Basic Instructor Training (BIT) classes on SMGC property. The NRA BIT class is the first step in becoming an NRA Certified Instructor in any of their disciplines.
These same NRA Training Counselors also offer additional Instructor training opportunities on their Watervliet Rod and Gun Club property, check the SMGC website calendar for classes and dates.
We also have offered a 'deer hunting with handgun cartridges' event. Based upon the change to Michigan deer hunting regulations, firearm deer hunters in zone three (basically the southern half of the lower peninsula of Michigan) may use straight-walled handgun cartridges in a rifle format or platform. Think .44 magnum in a lever action or bolt action rifle. While the current rules do restrict minimum diameter of bullet and maximum length of the case, there are some 'interesting' options for use by deer hunters in zone 3. More recently, with the advent of the 350 Legend and 450 Bushmaster creations, both may be used in Zone 3.
If you want a class scheduled, please contact the Training SIG to ask / request any of the above offerings.
If we have a few members who wish any particular training topic, we can try to schedule a class on SMGC properties or possibly direct you to someone who can provide the training you seek.
For additional information as classes are scheduled, please check the club calendar for training opportunities and contact information for questions.