Think you’ve done everything there is to do here at French Lick Resort? We’ve got a new experience to take aim at.
Our sporting clays range is now open to all overnight guests for the
first time, and it’s your chance to experience the thrill of the hunt — even if
it’s your first time ever firing a gun. Here’s 6 things to know about our
sporting clays experience at French Lick Resort:
#1: Shoot for a weekend.
Sporting clays are offered from 9am-5pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We have a few multitasking resort associates overseeing sporting clays, and depending on their availability, you might be able to book a spot Monday-Thursday as well. Either way, it’s best to book in advance. Contact Donnie Madden at dmadden@frenchlick.com or (812) 788-2575 to ask about availability.
#2: Bring just yourself, or the full crew.
Prior to this, our sporting clays range was an amenity only
for larger groups — even 100 or more. Now that we’re all traveling in smaller
circles, we’ve opened it up to everyone. Groups of 5 or 10. Couples looking for
an adventurous “day” date together. Even solo shooters. All sizes welcome.
#3: Choose your own adventure.
You’ve got some choices to tailor the shoot to your
preferences.
We offer shoots consisting of 50 targets or 100 targets. You
can bring your own gun and ammo and save a little money for drinks afterward;
we offer 12-gauge and 20-gauge shotgun rentals if needed. You can also rent a
golf cart, or hoof it. It’s roughly a 2-mile walk through our 75-acre shooting
range, and you gotta be hardcore to cover it on foot through some of the hilly
terrain, especially in the summer heat. (The sporting clays range is open in
the winter, too, weather permitting.)
#4: No prior experience necessary.
In fact, the shooting tutorials are even complimentary.
“I do give free lessons,” Donnie says with a smile.
“Probably 90 percent of people we get have never shot. A lot of them have never
even picked up a gun.”
Donnie will accompany less experienced shooters station
throughout the range, and as an experienced shooter, he can offer guidance and
pointers. The pace varies as some groups want more instruction, but a group of
four can expect to complete the course in about two hours while a solo shooter
can get through in less than an hour.
#5: A dozen stations, each with their own spin.
Fire away with variety — the 12 shooting stands on the
course are made for variety.
“Every target you shoot at is going to be fairly unique.
There’s a couple that are similar but none that are quite the same. There’s
some tough targets; there’s fast, slow. I’ve got some ‘rabbits’ that run across
the ground. A little bit of everything,” Donnie says.
“If it’s someone more experienced, if they want something a
little harder we’ll do true pairs which throws two targets at once instead of
one at a time.”
A lot of people are comfortable in shorts, but you might opt
for long pants to keep the critters away. And a good pair of shoes >
sandals.
We always provide bug spray, plus a cooler of ice and water.
You can bring sunscreen if you’d like, but the woods provide a pretty good
natural barrier from the rays.
You just might see deer and other wildlife throughout the
range, too. That we can’t guarantee, but we can make another promise:
“It’s an experience for everybody,” Donnie says. “I’ve yet
to have anybody not enjoy it.”