SASS and The Hodag Cowboys adhere to strict safety rules and practices. See below for general range rules, and the SASS Shooters Handbook for more specific guidelines. As a shooter you are expected to know the handbook as it pertains to you and your category of choice.
A mandatory safety meeting shall be held prior to the match. Participants are required to attend.
Safety glasses and hearing protection are mandatory for all participants and spectators.
Every participant is considered a safety officer and we should all be watching out for each other. Safety first, Fun second, Competition third. If one of your fellow shooters helps you make a correction don't be upset, be happy that we all care enough to help keep everyone safe.
All participants, or spectators, shall follow the range officer or timer operator's direction. The range officer will be designated during the safety meeting. Timer operators will be assigned by the range officer during the safety meeting
Loading shall be done at the loading table. Once loaded, weapons must remain at the loading table until the shooter is called to the firing line. You may not walk away from the loading table with a loaded weapon unless being called to the firing line by the timer operator.
Unloading shall be done at the unloading table. All weapons will be shown as clear and safe before leaving the unloading table.
A dropped round is a dead round. No attempt by the shooter shall be made to retrieve a dropped round from the ground. Retrieval from a table is allowed.
All long guns shall be carried muzzles up.
A round over the berm is a match DQ
A round discharged within 5 feet of the shooter is a match DQ
A round discharged into a prop is a match DQ.
A dropped loaded gun is a match DQ
A dropped unloaded gun is a stage DQ
The 170 degree rule is in effect. Shooters with a cross draw shall holster and unholster pistols with muzzles down range.
Rifles and Pistols shall not be levered or cocked until they are past 45 degrees and down range.Pistols shall not be pointed with the muzzle directed to a spot over the berm while being cocked. Failure to follow these rules can lead to a safety violation or a DQ.