August 24, 2026

Freedom Outdoors Brings Creativity to National Shooting Sports Month

By Jade Moldae

Throughout August, there have been thousands of people who “Let Freedom Plink” during National Shooting Sports Month^® at hundreds of ranges, retailers and shooting clubs across the U.S. Even as this monthlong campaign nears its conclusion, it’s not too late to join in and encourage customers to visit your range or store and participate in the popular #RangeChallenge.

One such store taking a winning approach to National Shooting Sports Month is Freedom Outdoors, which has attracted widespread community engagement at each of its four locations: Virginia Beach and Richmond (in Virginia), and Atlanta and Douglasville (in Georgia). Each location is actively participating in National Shooting Sports Month, enticing people to come in for a visit by using the #RangeChallenge target and creating a special weekly giveaway.

“We decided to make it a fun challenge for people at the range and we created a ‘sales pitch’ for our staff to engage everybody that’s coming in,” said Erin Crooks, Freedom Outdoors Marketing Director. “As soon as someone comes to the range counter, our staff greets them with ‘We have a gift for you, it’s National Shooting Sports Month,’ and they give them all the perks of participating and encourage them to bring a friend and come back.”

#RangeChallenge Generates Excitement

Using the #RangeChallenge target, Freedom Outdoors developed a course of fire (developed with input from range staff and members) that has changed weekly throughout August.

In the opening week of National Shooting Sports Month, “Odds or Evens Only” was the theme at each Freedom Outdoors location. Participants of the #RangeChallenge were instructed to write an odd or even number on their target at the range counter and then shoot the numbers they chose with 12 rounds, using either a pistol or a rifle.

“Anyone can participate in the #RangeChallenge, and the top prize we’re giving away each week across all four stores is a free Premier Range Membership. It has been very well received because people love coming to shoot, but sometimes the barrier to shooting more is just the cost,” she said. “If someone can win a membership and save $30 every time they come into shoot, they can then choose to spend it on ammo or something else.”

In addition to free memberships, Freedom Outdoors is selecting second-place winners each week across all four of its locations. The second place-winner receives a Freedom Outdoors swag bag that includes hats, towels, targets, ammunition, koozies and some National Shooting Sports Month-branded apparel provided by NSSF^®.

The response to National Shooting Sports Month in-store and on social media has been excellent, Crooks noted.

“We had a great response on social media with people seeing they have an opportunity to win weekly gifts, enticing more people to come in and bring a friend to participate,” she said.

Likewise, the store’s take on the #RangeChallenge has proven to be an immediate hit with customers.

“We actually ran out of all of the targets in the first weekend,” Crooks said. “So we ordered 500 more per store.”

Back to School Drive

In addition to ringing in National Shooting Sports Month, Freedom Outdoors is encouraging its range guests to participate in a back-to-school supply drive to benefit local schools. From Aug. 3 through Aug. 22, any range guest who brings in three new school supplies will get a free range pass.

“Each of the stores picked a school in their district. We want to try and get as many donations as possible, so we’re not limiting it. If someone comes in with six items, they’ll get two range passes,” Crooks said.

These two initiatives have combined to boost range traffic.

“August is a slower month, as people are getting ready for school or taking their last vacation of the summer, but we’ve received a good response for both initiatives. We’ve had a lot of people come in asking for the #RangeChallenge target,” Crooks added.

Opportunities Remain!

Even now, it’s not too late for your business to take part in National Shooting Sports Month. Sign up to appear on the national host map and access campaign resources.

NSSF also encourages firearm manufacturers, shooting sports organizations and other industry partners to promote National Shooting Sports Month, share campaign materials and encourage their audiences to participate throughout August. Promotional resources are available through the National Shooting Sports Month toolkit.

As noted here and in National Shooting Sports Month range profiles, the #RangeChallenge has generated a considerable amount of engagement from customers, with range guests frequently posting pictures of themselves and their target on social media. Those using the hashtag #RangeChallenge in their posts are entered to win one of eight $500 gift cards that will be awarded throughout the month. Target packages are still available for ranges and gun clubs that would like to participate. To order a package, contact Zach Snow: [email protected]; 203-426-1320, ext. 224.

For information about participating businesses, the #RangeChallenge, campaign resources and ways to celebrate, visit ShootingSportsMonth.org.