Ben Avery Clay Target Center 

and Outdoor Archery Range 

Handbook 

Ben Avery Clay Target Center & Outdoor Archery Range Handbook

Arizona Game & Fish Department Ben Avery Clay Target Center

& Outdoor Archery Range 5060 W Skeet St

Phoenix, AZ 85086 623-434-8119

www.azgfd.gov/ctc www.azgfd.gov/oar bactc@azgfd.gov

Welcome

It is our pleasure to welcome you to the Ben Avery Clay Target Center and Outdoor Archery Range at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility. The Ben Avery Shooting Facility is owned by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and operated by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The Commission and the Department are dedicated to outdoor recreation activities

This handbook will help you to learn about our facility, what is available, and Purpose

The purpose of this handbook is to provide the customers of the Ben Avery Clay Target Center and Outdoor Archery Range a source for information, etiquette, and rules at the Clay Target Center and Archery Ranges.

History

The Ben Avery Clay Target Center and Outdoor Archery Range (or CTC/OAR for short) is a part of the larger 1600 acre Ben Avery Shooting Facility (or BASF) located at I-17 and Carefree Highway in Phoenix, Arizona. The CTC/OAR and BASF are owned by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and operated by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD).

BASF originally opened as the Black Canyon Shooting Range in 1960 and was operated by Maricopa County. It was the brainchild of Ben Avery, Glenn C. Taylor, and Jim Beaman who wanted a safe place for locals to be able to shoot. The Clay Target Center was built in 1964.

In 1992 Maricopa County changed the name to the Ben Avery Range and in 1995, the state of Arizona took over ownership and operations and renamed it the Ben Avery Shooting Facility. In 1996 the Clay Target Center was leased to a private company to operate until 2006 when AZGFD took over full time operations. The CTC to over operations of the Outdoor Archery Range in 2013.

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Ben Avery Clay Target Center & Outdoor Archery Range Handbook Facilities

OneAZ Pavilion: Located at the Clay Target Center, this building is the main office and customer service point at the range. Archers and shotgunners check in here and pay usage fees, purchase targets and ammunition, rent shotguns, and buy souvenirs. The Pavilion also has a registration office for large events and an 11,000 square foot dining facility with a capacity of 350 people, which is available for rent.

The Old Clubhouse: located in front of Field 8, is a small 450 square foot facility which is available for rent and is an excellent facility to hold classes or smaller meetings.

Trap & Skeet: The Clay Target Center has 17 Trap & Skeet Fields which include American and International Skeet, American and International (Bunker) Trap, Wobble Trap, and Doubles Trap.

Sporting Clays: Three Sporting Clays Courses and a 5-Stand are available. The 8-station Executive Quail Course runs parallel to the Pavilion and parking lot

and is an excellent course for newcomers to get acquainted with the sport or for advanced shooters to practice some basics.

The Rattlesnake Course, Roadrunner Course, and Coyote Course are ¾ mile long 15-station loop courses that offer everything from basic target profiles to advanced targets coming off a tower.

The Jackrabbit course is also available for large competitive events of 300 or more.

Archery: The Outdoor Archery Range has seven archery ranges & courses open to the public.

Upper & Lower Hill Course: These walking courses offer steep terrain with 14 targets. The furthest shots will be up to 60 or 80 yards.

Field Course: This walking course is designed to perfect hitting bullseye targets at different fixed distances. Shooters have 14 targets, the furthest being 80 yards. This range has been certified for competition by the National Field Archery Association (NFAA).

Animal Course: this walking course offers flatter terrain with 14 targets. The furthest shots will be up to 60 yards.

Hunter Course: This walking course is designed to perfect hitting bullseye targets at different fixed distances. Shooters have 14 targets, the furthest being 80 yards. This range has been certified for competition by the National Field Archery Association (NFAA).

Known Distance Range: This stationary range is designed to improve shooting at fixed distances. It provides targets from 15 to 60 yards and is an ideal range to check and reset your distance pin. This range also has a shade canopy and tables. There is also one “Cub Target” for kids.

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Ben Avery Clay Target Center & Outdoor Archery Range Handbook

Broadhead/Crossbow Range: The Broadhead and Crossbow Range is designed for shooters wishing to get practice with their broadhead tipped arrows and to give crossbow users an area to practice. It offers fixed distances from 25 to 100 yards and has a shade canopy and tables. Personal targets are permitted on this range and it is the only range where using broadhead tips is permitted.

3D Course: Currently under development, this walking course offers 8-14 3D realistic targets for archers to shoot at.. The targets on this walking course may be set at 15-80 yards.

World Archery Range: The World Archery Federation (WA) is the sanctioning body for Olympic-style archery. This range is for WA target archery practice only. You can find information on WA rules for target archery here: https://worldarchery.org/Rules

Family Archery Range: This range is 5 to 20 yards and is for recurve bows with less than 40 pounds draw. This range is open for the public, but youth archers (17 years old and younger) have priority.

If you would like to learn more about archery, many local clubs and business

offer beginners classes and equipment rentals. A list of local clubs can be found on USA Archery’s website here.

Programs

CTC/OAR offers several programs for shooters from beginners to advanced. Due to the intense heat during the summer, these programs are normally held during the winter months unless otherwise noted. Desert Roses: This is an introductory woman’s shotgun program that offers a unique “night out with the girls.” It teaches the exciting shotgun disciplines of sporting clays, trap, and skeet in a friendly and welcoming environment with other women. Classes are the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, October through April and cost $10.00 for three sessions; shotgun, ammunition, and eye/ear protection is provided. Sessions are limited to 50 shooters, for more information or to sign up contact Mark Williams at 623-236-7726 or desertroses@azgfd.gov. Information can also be found on our website, here. Desert Roses, Too: This is a more in-depth training program on the three shotgun disciplines for ladies who have completed Desert Roses, but want to keep shooting and learning more about the shotgun sports. Sessions will be held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, October through April. Details will be provided as they become available. SCTP: The Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) is a team-based youth development program that uses the shotgun sports of trap, skeet, and sporting clays to instill life skills such as discipline, safety, teamwork, ethics, self-confidence and other life values. The program utilizes these disciplines to teach hunting skills through the safe use of hunting equipment including firearms and their relationship to hunting situations. Team members

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Ben Avery Clay Target Center & Outdoor Archery Range Handbook

can participate in any or all three of the clay target disciplines; trap, skeet, and sporting clays. For more information on SCTP, including how to join, visit our website here. Beginning Archery: Coming Soon. JOAD: Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD) is a program of USA Archery that teaches archery to young people and provides great opportunities for awarding achievement and helps archers to enjoy the sport recreationally or progress to the excitement of competition. The JOAD program is ran by local clubs, many of which hold practices at OAR. To find a club, click here.

Hours of Operation Clay Target Center

Oct-Apr

Monday 7:00-3:00 Tuesday 7:00-3:00 Wednesday 7:00-7:00 Thursday 7:00-7:00 Friday 7:00-7:00 Saturday 7:00-7:00 Sunday 7:00-3:00

May-Sept Closed 7:00-3:00 7:00-7:00 7:00-7:00 7:00-7:00 7:00-7:00 7:00-3:00

Outdoor Archery Range Monday 7:00-3:00 Tuesday 7:00-3:00 Wednesday 7:00-7:00 Thursday 7:00-7:00 Friday 7:00-7:00 Saturday 7:00-7:00 Sunday 7:00-3:00

Closed 6:30-3:00 6:30-7:00 6:30-7:00 6:30-7:00 6:30-7:00 6:30-3:00

The register closes 30 minutes before the range closes.

The CTC/OAR is normally open on all weekends and holidays except Thanksgiving and Christmas.

All Archery Ranges and Sporting Clays courses close at sunset Wednesday through Saturday in the winter; the Roadrunner & Coyote Courses close one hour before the range (or at sunset, whichever comes first), and at 2:30 during the summer. These courses are closed all day Monday and Tuesday.

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Ben Avery Clay Target Center & Outdoor Archery Range Handbook

Trap & Skeet fields, Archery Ranges, and Sporting Clay courses may be closed with or without notice due to scheduled tournament shoots, weather, safety, or other reasons as management may deem necessary.

General Use Rules

Ben Avery Clay Target Center and Outdoor Archery Range is a family friendly environment; we ask that customers respect others right to enjoy a day of shooting. To that end, please smoke only in designated areas, don’t disrupt other shooters, and shirts, pants/shorts, and footwear must be worn at all times.

Range Masters are responsible for the safe operation of the Clay Target Center and Outdoor Archery Range. The decisions of the Range Masters are final.

All public shooters must pay the appropriate fees at the Pavilion before shooting. First time visitors to the Clay Target Center must watch a safety video in the

Pavilion before shooting. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or designated responsible adult at all

times. If ordered to cease fire, or if any person is down range from the firing line,

shotguns must be emptied of ammunition and placed in the shotgun rack with the action open, bows must be stowed on the provided hooks, and no person is allowed to be in the shooting position.

The Clay Target Center and Outdoor Archery Range are in a desert environment. Plenty of water, a hat, long pants, sunscreen, and closed toed shoes are highly recommended. Footwear of some sort is required.

Alcohol may only be consumed in the Shooter’s RV Campground by RV Campground customers and their guests. Alcohol may not be consumed anywhere else on the premises without express written permission of CTC/OAR management (AZGFC Regulation R12-4-125). Per state law, only people who are over the age of 21 are permitted to drink alcohol. Alcohol, no matter where consumed, may only be served after ALL shooting is complete. Anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited from being in the possession of a firearm and will be asked to leave the range. Some prescription drugs can impair your ability to safely handle a firearm or bow; know the effects of your prescriptions before arriving at CTC/OAR.

Shooting is only allowed in approved areas and at approved targets. The intentional shooting of buildings, signs, rocks, plants, cans, bottles, etc. is strictly prohibited.

Hunting anywhere on BASF is prohibited. Firearms are not permitted to be fired at the Outdoor Archery Range; rifles and

pistols are not permitted to be fired at the Clay Target Center.

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Ben Avery Clay Target Center & Outdoor Archery Range Handbook

Driving or walking off of marked trails and roads is prohibited. Automobiles are not permitted on cart paths without permission.

Carts are not permitted past the parking bumpers on the Trap & Skeet Fields. Parking is allowed only in designated areas. Vehicles parked in non-parking areas

are subject to citation and towing. Any vehicles left overnight without permission of the management is subject to

citation and towing. The speed limit in parking lots and congested areas is 10 mph. Unauthorized sale or bartering of goods/services, food and/or beverages is

prohibited. Unauthorized advertisements/signs are prohibited. All trash and cigarette butts must be placed in appropriate receptacles. Pets must be kept on a leash at all times (Arizona State Statute 11-1012). Dog owners must pick up after their dogs and dispose of it in appropriate

receptacle (Arizona State Statute 36-183.03). Any actions deemed by a Range Master or management to be unsafe, disruptive,

or unsportsmanlike, including actions not specifically spelled out in this Handbook, may be cause for removal from Arizona Game and Fish Department property.

If at any time you observe unsafe conduct or conditions at the range, or problems with range equipment, please contact the Clay Target Center Pavilion at 623-434-8119.

Scheduling

The reservation of buildings, fields, courses or ranges or the scheduling of events at the Ben Avery Clay Target Center and Outdoor Archery Ranges shall be done in accordance with this handbook.

All non-shooting and fundraising events must have a completed Solicitation/Event Application (Form 9083) approved by the Assistant Director.

Any reservations or scheduling of events must be done through the Event Coordinator and approved by management.

Reservations for fields, courses, and ranges for non-competitive events shall not be taken before July 1 for the following competitive season (September through May). .

All competitive events shall be scheduled in accordance with established scheduling priority. After July 1, all scheduling will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

No non-competitive shooting events shall be permitted after the posted closing time for the range, no exceptions. Non-shooting events must have permission from management to go past posted closing times.

Events will not be scheduled on Mondays from May to September. Prices

All prices are set by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.

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Ben Avery Clay Target Center & Outdoor Archery Range Handbook

Archery: 18 and over: $7.00, 17 and younger: free. Trap & Skeet: $6.00 per round (25 targets) Wobble Trap, Int’l Skeet, & 5-Stand: $6.50 per round (25 targets) Bunker Trap: $7.00 per round (25 targets) Sporting Clays: 25 targets - $10.00

50 targets - $20.00 100 targets - $30.00

Ben Avery Gold Card: Offers a discounted rate for all clay targets. $15.00 for the card plus $100.00 minimum target purchase. Rentals: Shotguns (12 and 20 gauge Berettas) - $10.00

Push Carts - $5.00 Shooter’s RV Camp: Daily - $35.00, Weekly - $180 (two weeks max.),

Extended stay - $120 per week. Stays longer than 14 days must be approved by the Range Manager. Maximum permissible stay is 168 accumulated days in a calendar year. Purchase of targets and/or range passes may be required. For more information, visit our website here.

Everyone at the Ben Avery Clay Target Center and Outdoor Archery Ranges would like to

thank all those whose sacrifices keep us safe and free. Military/First Responder Appreciation Day: Active duty, reserve, and retired military

police, fire, and EMT personnel receive a discount on archery and clay targets on the first Thursday of each month. Proper ID is required. Competitive Shoots

Multiple competitive shoots are held each year at BACTC in Skeet, Trap, Sporting Clays, and archery. Below is a list of some of the sanctioning bodies for these various events with links to their rule books.

● Amateur Trap Association (ATA) ● National Skeet Shooters Association (NSSA) ● National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA) ● Professional Sporting Clays Association (PSCA) ● World Archery (WA/FITA) ● National Field Archery Association (NFAA) ● Archery Shooters Association (ASA) ● International Bowhunters Association (IBA)

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Ben Avery Clay Target Center & Outdoor Archery Range Handbook

Shooter’s RV Campground Rules This campground is provided for your convenience while shooting at the Clay Target Center. You must be an active shooter to camp here. If you are not shooting in an event, you must shoot at least every other day. Check In/Out ∗ Check in time is 4:00pm. ∗ Check out time is 12:00pm (exceptions include registered events that occur on Sundays). 

Reservation Requests ∗ Reservation requests must be made on the Clay Target Center Campground website, 

https://www.azgfd.com/shooting/bactc/campground/. ∗ The Clay Target Center will begin accepting reservations as follows: 

o The second Monday of July for campers participating in competitive matches, events or registered shoots. 

o The first Monday of August for campers utilizing the facility for all other shooting sports activities. 

∗ Only the first row of the Clay Target Center Campground will be available from May 15 to September 15.  

Length of Stay ∗ Stays can be no longer than fourteen (14) days in a 30 day period, except in circumstances 

when an extended stay is approved by range management and will only allow stays up to twenty-four (24) weeks (168 days) in a 365 day period. 

∗ Days need not be consecutive to count towards the maximum days allowed. 

Payment & Fees ∗ Per each reservation, a $35.00 non-refundable deposit is required and will be applied 

towards the stay. When booking multiple reservations, a deposit will be required for each reservation made. Reservation(s) will not be confirmed without payment of the deposit. Deposits can be made over the phone or a mailed check.  

∗ Your deposit will be applied to the stay the reservation was made for. Deposits will not be rolled over. 

1. Daily and Weekly Rates a. The fee structure is as follows: 

a. Daily: $35.00 b. Weekly, for up to two (2) weeks, or 14 days: $180.00 per week 

2. Extended Stay Rate a. Extended Stay, after two (2) week period with approval from range manager: 

$120.00 per week.  b. At the discretion of the range manager, extended stay can be approved for 

recreational shooters without affiliation with a competitive governing body. Additional purchase of a Clay Target Center shooter’s card and $25.00 in targets or 3 range passes for each week of an extended stay will be required at the time of extended stay payment. 

c. An extended stay application must be completed and approved by range manager prior to the stay. 

∗ Payment is due in advance or at check-in during business hours. ∗ Full payment for reservations up to fourteen (14) days is required upon arrival. ∗ We accept Cash, Check, Visa, and MasterCard. ∗ Windshield placard (that details what date you’re paid through) must be displayed in plain 

sight.  

 

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Ben Avery Clay Target Center & Outdoor Archery Range Handbook Cancellations ∗ Please notify the Clay Target Center office of cancellations a minimum of 7 days in 

advance as a courtesy to other campground guests who may be on a waitlist.  

Emergencies ∗ CALL 911. ∗ Inform operator that you are at the Ben Avery Clay Target Center Campground – Entrance 

3, Zone 5 and your site # (or other location). ∗ Please notify the office of emergency at (623)434-8119. ∗ If after business hours, please notify AZGFD Radio Room at (623)236-7201. 

Parking & Vehicles ∗ All vehicles must have current registration and be in operational condition. ∗ One RV per space, except with prior arrangements in the CTC office. ∗ Do not allow any vehicles to protrude from RV site into the flow of traffic. ∗ The speed limit in the park is 10 mph. Please be aware of pedestrians and animals. 

Rig and/or Site Appearance ∗ Campground guests are responsible for maintaining a clean campsite. ∗ No unlicensed vehicles, no expired plates. ∗ The facility has high water pressure. Therefore, a water pressure regulator and a threaded 

90 degree elbow sewer connection are required. ∗ It is mandatory that your sewer and/or grey water hose have a sewer connection (sewer 

collar/donut) attached to prevent sewer gasses from escaping. No grey water discharge. ∗ Storage containers are allowed on your site and must be kept under the rig and maintained 

in a neat appearance. ∗ Keep all cords, cables and hoses coiled and bundled. ∗ We reserve the right to refuse service to any rig based upon its appearance and/or 

condition. 

Visitors & Children ∗ Guests are responsible for the actions of their visitors. ∗ Parents are responsible for the conduct of their children and financially responsible for 

any damages incurred by their children. 

Mail ∗ If you would like to receive mail, the address is: 

Ben Avery Clay Target Center Your Name 5065 W. Skeet Street. Space # Phoenix, AZ. 85086 

∗ UPS/FEDEX packages will be kept behind the front counter in the office. You will need to sign your package out. 

Laundry Fees:  Washer: $1.75 per load 

Dryer: $1.50 for 30 minutes, $0.25 for an additional 5 minutes. 

∗ Do not overload the machines. ∗ Remove clothes promptly from washer and dryer after use. ∗ Remove the lint from the dryer. ∗ If you spill something, please wipe or sweep it up immediately. ∗ Dispose of your detergent containers properly. ∗ Measure your soap. Using too much detergent will cause the machines to malfunction. ∗ No washing shoes, blankets, bedspreads, hulls, wads, dog beds, or toys. ∗ No tinting or drying clothing. 

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Ben Avery Clay Target Center & Outdoor Archery Range Handbook ∗ No sitting on machines. ∗ No de-greasing in washing machines. 

Quiet Hours  ∗ Quiet hours are from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am.  ∗ Disruptive behavior is prohibited. 

Trash ∗ All trash must be placed in appropriate trash containers. ∗ Dumpsters are located at East and West end of row 2. ∗ Please use dumpsters (not the barrels on the trap line). 

Pet Rules ∗ No hostile or aggressive pets. ∗ Please be considerate of other people’s pets while staying in the RV Park and make sure 

your pets are current on vaccinations. ∗ All pets must be on a leash in owner’s hand at all times while out walking per A.R.S 11-1012. ∗ Pets are not to be left unattended outside the RV.  ∗ Please clean up after your pet per A.R.S 36-183.03. ∗ Pets are not allowed in the buildings. ∗ Constant or frequent barking will result in you being asked to leave the park. 

Drug Use ∗ Illegal drugs and/or drug paraphernalia are prohibited in the Shooter’s RV Park. ∗ Underage use or possession of alcohol will not be tolerated. 

Wi-Fi ∗ You will be required to agree to the “AZGFD Wi-Fi Guest Appropriate Use Policy” to gain 

Internet access. ∗ Log-In information:  

Network name: Agfdguest Password: None 

Fire ∗ Fires are restricted to charcoal grills. Open fires are not permitted. 

 

Disclaimer ∗ Guests and their visitors agree to use the campground at their own risk. ∗ We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. ∗ We reserve the right to make changes to the rules, regulations and fees that we deem 

necessary. ∗ Please follow all rules while staying at the campground. The facility is under 24 hour 

surveillance; violations will be enforced. Violators may be asked to leave the facility and subject to criminal or civil action. 

∗ Management of the park is in no way liable for any loss, damage or injury by fire, wind, theft, accident or any other cause to the personal possessions of tenants, guests or their pets. 

∗ A failure to remit payment will result in the campground guest being requested to leave. ∗ A failure to vacate a campsite within twenty-four (24) hours after the end of reservation 

period will result in the towing of the camp vehicle at the owner’s expense. 

 

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Ben Avery Clay Target Center & Outdoor Archery Range Handbook

Clay Target Center Rules Safety is EVERYONE’s responsibility!

➢ Basic firearms safety rules apply at all times: 1) Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. 2) Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. 3) Keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. 4) Know your target and what is beyond.

➢ Eye and ear protection must be worn at all times at the Ben Avery Clay Target Center (CTC).

➢ Only shotguns are permitted at the CTC. Shotguns may not be larger than 12 gauge and barrel lengths may

not be shorter than 18½ inches.

➢ Lead shot only not larger than 7½ and loads greater than 3¼ dram equivalent may be used, no magnum loads. Buckshot, turkey loads, rifled slugs, steel shot, etc. are not permitted.

➢ Actions must be open and the shotgun empty of ammunition at all times, except in preparation to shoot.

Pump and semi-auto shotguns shall be carried with the muzzle pointed up. Break-action shotguns may have their actions closed while in a cart or shotgun rack.

➢ Only load one shell unless shooting doubles in Trap, Skeet, or Sporting Clays. No more than two shells are

permitted at any time.

➢ Shotguns must be shouldered while shooting.

➢ Shooting “pieces” is not permitted. Do not shoot at someone else’s target, shoot out of turn, or shoot twice at the same target unless permitted by sport rules (i.e., Bunker Trap, FITASC, and 5-Stand).

➢ Shoot only at authorized targets and only from designated shooting stations, pins, or pegs. Hunting is not

allowed anywhere at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility.

➢ Please pick up your spent hulls once you have completed your turn or your round. Please do not place trash in the hulls cans or hulls in the trash cans.

➢ Authorized personnel ONLY downrange. Please ask a Range Master for assistance with clay target stations,

fields, and machine problems or adjustments. Customers are not permitted to adjust, reposition, repair, or alter in any way any equipment at the CTC including, but not limited to, trap machines.

➢ Children under the age of 5 are not permitted on any ranges or courses. Only children over the age of 9,

who are able to safely hold an operate the shotgun on their own, are permitted to shoot on the range. Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

➢ Driving or walking off of marked trails or paths is prohibited. Non-Arizona Game & Fish Department

automobiles are not permitted on cart paths.

➢ Orange cones on top of Trap Houses indicate a person is inside the house. No shooting or loaded guns are permitted on the field until the cone has been removed and all personnel are clear.

➢ Footwear, shirt, and pants/shorts/skirts or dresses are required at all times. Hats and closed toed shoes are

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Ben Avery Clay Target Center & Outdoor Archery Range Handbook

➢ All breakage credits must be requested on the same day the breakage occurs.

➢ Alcohol and illegal drugs are not permitted on the shooting range. Individuals under the influence of drugs or alcohol are prohibited from shooting. This may include over-the-counter and prescription drugs that can affect a person’s ability to operate machinery.

➢ Ben Avery Clay Target Center is a public range. Please share the fields with other customers.

➢ Safety is everyone’s responsibility. If you see unsafe firearm handling, you have the range’s permission to

correct the problem. If someone is repeatedly unsafe, or you see someone violating the range’s rules, please inform Range Staff immediately.

Ben Avery Clay Target Center reserves the right to remove any person from this facility who, in the opinion of a Range Master or management, is performing any action that is deemed unsafe, disruptive, or is acting in an unsportsmanlike manner.

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Ben Avery Clay Target Center & Outdoor Archery Range Handbook

Clay Target Etiquette

● Do not talk on the trap line while the speakers are active.

● Please pick up your spent hulls and place them in the appropriate container.

● Be quiet when someone is getting ready to shoot.

● When in a golf cart or UTV, drive slowly past other shooters to avoid kicking up dust.

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Ben Avery Clay Target Center & Outdoor Archery Range Handbook

Archery Range Rules Safety is EVERYONE’s responsibility!

➢ Safety is everyone’s responsibility. If you see unsafe bow handling, you have the range’s permission to correct the problem. If you see someone violating the range’s rules, please inform Range Staff, Volunteers, or the Ben Avery Clay Target Center immediately.

➢ Firearm use is prohibited on all archery ranges.

➢ Always inspect your bow and arrows to ensure they are in working order before shooting. Never shoot damaged equipment.

➢ All archers must shoot at the shooting line.

➢ Footwear, shirts, and pants/shorts/skirt/dresses are required at all times. Do not wear any clothing or jewelry which may become entangled in the bow. Hats and closed toed shoes are highly recommended.

➢ Field tips only. Broadheads are only permitted to be shot on the Broadhead/Crossbow Range.

➢ Crossbows are permitted on the Broadhead/Crossbow Range and walking courses only. Walking with a loaded/cocked crossbow is not permitted.

➢ Knock an arrow only when ready to shoot. Do not aim your bow, knocked or otherwise, at another person. Draw your bow only at the shooting line and only to the maximum extent allowed by your arrow. Do not overdraw your bow. Dry firing can cause severe damage to your bow and injure yourself and people nearby; never dry-fire your bow.

➢ When drawing your bow, ensure the arrow is pointed down or is parallel to the ground, never up or away from the range. “Sky drawing” presents a hazard to other shooters and is not allowed. Flight archery is not allowed at the range.

➢ Shooting is permitted when all persons are behind the shooting line and safe shooting conditions exist.

➢ Only shoot into authorized targets that are backed by target butts or bales (3D targets exempted) and only from designated shooting positions, yardage markers, etc. Know your target and what is beyond. Hunting is not allowed anywhere at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility.

➢ Shooting or damaging a saguaro cactus on this facility, even unintentionally, is a Class 4 felony in the state of Arizona and is punishable by a maximum sentence of 3.75 years in prison. (A.R.S. §3-932)

➢ Check behind you before pulling arrows out of the target.

➢ If you are retrieving a missed arrow, place your bow in front of the target to let others know you are behind the target butt. Be respectful of other archers and do not spend an inordinate amount of time searching for your arrow.

➢ Deposit all trash in containers and cigarette butts in appropriate receptacles.

➢ Ben Avery Outdoor Archery Range is a public facility. Please share the ranges with other customers and respect others and their equipment.

➢ Walking off of marked trails is prohibited. Non-Arizona Game & Fish Department vehicles are not permitted on walking courses.

➢ Keep pets on a leash at all times.

➢ Alcohol and illegal drugs are not permitted on the archery range. Individuals under the influence of drugs or alcohol are prohibited from shooting. This may include over-the-counter and prescription drugs that can affect a person’s ability to operate machinery.

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Ben Avery Clay Target Center & Outdoor Archery Range Handbook

Archery Etiquette

● The Known Distance Range has tables available for packing and unpacking your

archery equipment, please don’t use the picnic tables to do this. Once you are done packing/unpacking your equipment, please remove it from the table so others may use it.

● It is expected that each archer shoot no more than 5 or 6 arrows. This enables a retrieval of arrows in a reasonable time.

● It would be considered impolite to go to the line and begin shooting when those at the line are ready to retrieve arrows.

● Don’t shoot at the same target as another shooter. ● Wait for the group ahead to completely clear the target area before beginning to

shoot. ● If your group is slower than the group behind you, allow that group to “play

through.” ● If you miss the target butt, allow your group to finish shooting. If there is a group

behind you, allow them to shoot. Before going behind the target butt to search for your arrow, place your bow against the front of the target to let the next group who comes up know you are behind the butt.

● There are no trash cans on the walking ranges, please bring out everything you take in.

● No loud talking or noise while an archer is preparing to shoot.

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Ben Avery Clay Target Center & Outdoor Archery Range Handbook

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