Well, this is a weird review to write. Up until this weekend, I had never even used a shotgun and now here I am the first to review the Ben Avery Shooting Range. Who knew? My husband recently acquired not one, but two guns - a shotgun and a pistol - much to my dismay. But, they were here to stay, so I decided to be proactive and learn how to use them.
The shooting range is on the way to Pleasant, right off the Carefree Highway. I had passed by the place a hundred times on my way to the lake but had never stopped. There are 2 parts to the range, the target practice and the clay target area, a minute up the road. We first stopped at the target practice area where $5 will cover your daily shooter fee. This area is the more popular of the two and is VERY loud. Earplugs are necessary and noise canceling headphones couldn't hurt. We didn't end up staying at this area because we had come for clay shooting and I can't say I was disappointed to get out of there.
$25 will get you a round of 100 sporting clays. Each platform has two sporting clay machines that either shoot them high, low or doubles. At first I was apprehensive, but by the end I was loading the gun and actually enjoying myself. I ended up shooting 2 out of 10 sporting clays and I have to say I was pretty proud of myself at 20% for my first time.
Sunblock, earplugs and water are necessary - lots of water, it is in the middle of the desert and the sun is a killer. The staff is friendly and helpful; one employee even stopped by our area and offered us water.
I can't say this is a new hobby of mine, but I'll be back every now and then to freshen up and practice.