North Idaho Firearms Training

Level 1 Beginner Shotgun Training

Duration: 5 Hours

Level: 1 (Beginner)

Prerequisites: None

Equipment: Shotgun (pump or semi-auto), eye & ear protection, 25 rounds of bird shot & 10 rounds of 00 Buck, closed toe shoes, warm clothing, carry case.

Course Overview

This class introduces students to the safe handling, operation, and basic shooting fundamentals of a shotgun. Emphasis is placed on safety, confidence building, and practical skills for sport, home defense, or general familiarity.

Training Schedule & Curriculum

Hour 1 – Safety & Fundamentals (Classroom)

• Firearm safety rules (4 universal rules)
• Shotgun-specific safety considerations
• Safe loading, unloading, and transport
• Range etiquette and commands
• Types of shotguns (pump, semi-auto, break-action)
• Ammunition basics (birdshot, buckshot, slug – overview only)

Outcome: Students understand safety rules and can safely handle an unloaded shotgun.

Hour 2 – Shotgun Anatomy & Operation

• Parts of the shotgun and their function
• How different actions operate
• Proper stance and body positioning
• Mounting the shotgun correctly
• Sight alignment and point of aim
• Recoil management fundamentals
• Dry-fire and manipulation practice (dummy rounds)

Outcome: Students can correctly mount, operate, and manipulate their shotgun.

Hour 3 – Live Fire Fundamentals

• Live-fire safety briefing
• Patterning basics
• Proper loading and unloading on the firing line
• Single-shot and controlled fire drills
• Trigger control and follow-through
• Coaching and individual feedback

Outcome: Students safely fire and hit targets at close range with proper technique.

Hour 4 – Practical Skills Development

• Multiple-shot strings
• Reloading techniques (emergency & administrative)
• Malfunction recognition and clearing
• Target transitions
• Managing recoil during extended shooting
• Optional introduction to moving targets (clays) 

Outcome: Students build confidence and consistency under live fire.

Hour 5 – Live Fire Skills Evaluation & Confidence Build

 Range Session)

• Shooting from ready positions
• Timed and cadence-based drills
• Introduction to movement (if range allows)
• Optional moving targets (clays)
• Ammunition selection discussion (training vs defensive use)
• Safe storage and transportation considerations

 Outcome: Students apply fundamentals in more realistic shooting scenarios.

What Students Will Learn

✔ Shotgun safety and operation

✔ Proper stance, mounting, and recoil control

✔ Live-fire accuracy fundamentals

✔ Reloading and malfunction clearing

✔ Practical shotgun handling skills