Matriarchs of the Mountains: The Next Generation

Elderly women hiking on a mountain trail.

The women of the Northwest have been passing the torch to the next generation for more than 150 years. The northwestern United States has always been the woman’s domain. It was the women who settled the West, not the men. If there was any doubt to that, just look at the earliest male explorers. If…

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The Hazards of Fishing a Small Mountain Lake

Mountain lake landscape under clear blue sky.

Grizzlies, otters and moose, oh my! How a once-calm fishing trip turned less than peaceful. As we climbed up the mountainside on an old dirt road, with every switchback, our wheels slid across the rocks. We eventually made it to the top of the mountain, and followed similar dirt roads and switchbacks, and winded our…

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Staying Safe in National Parks

Person hiking down woodland stairs with backpack.

America’s national parks are treasures to be enjoyed by all. However, be sure to follow all the rules to ensure a safe—and legal—outing! Americans are once again hitting the roads for their annual summer vacations, which may include destinations within the National Park System. But each year many visitors to federal lands end up injured or…

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Recruiting Firearm Instructors Who Rise to the Top

Shooting range training with firearms instructor.

Here’s how to be the firearm instructor candidate who displays the attributes that make NRA Instructors the “Gold Standard” in the industry. The NRA Training Department expects a lot of its Training Counselors (TCs). This is because Training Counselors are tasked with ensuring that the instructor candidates who they are recommending for certification meet the NRA’s…

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The Pros and Cons of Using a Muzzle Brake

Black metal rod with perforated end.

Muzzle brakes are a tool to aid in accurate shooting, but are not a replacement for practicing at the range. Have you ever fired a rifle with severe and unmanageable recoil (the energy transferred to the shoulder when the shot is fired), and muzzle flip (the sharp rise of the muzzle after the shot)? Extreme…

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Your Concealed Carry Journey Starts with NRA

Snow-capped mountain under deep blue sky

Congratulations on taking the next step in your personal protection journey with the decision to carry concealed. Whether you are a new gun owner or an experienced marksman, exploring the multitude of training options from the National Rifle Association (NRA) should be your first stop on your path to this goal. As America’s firearm safety…

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3 Factors That Affect Felt Recoil

Shooter aiming scoped rifle from bench.

The concept of felt recoil is subjective because there is no accurate way of measuring it, in fact, it is just how the shooter perceives the actual recoil of the firearm. Felt recoil means something different to every shooter. Some shooters can handle felt recoil better than other individuals. The concept of felt recoil is…

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Understanding Felt Recoil Through Physics

Person aiming rifle with scope at range.

It affects everything we do, from getting out of bed, performing specific tasks, and even how we shoot. While actual recoil is measurable, felt recoil is extremely subjective. It does not matter what the actual recoil is, it is the perceived recoil that the shooter experiences. Recoil is the “kick” or “push” of the firearm…

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5 TYPES OF STUDENTS WHO CAN’T MAKE THE INSTRUCTOR CUT

Two people shooting outdoors with shotguns.

by Heidi Lyn Rao The NRA Training Department expects a lot out of their Training Counselors. This is because Training Counselors are tasked with ensuring that the instructor candidates who they are recommending for certification meet the NRA’s stringent requirements to become an NRA Certified Instructor. NRA Instructors are the “Gold Standard” in the industry…

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