Shooting Sports Competition Checklist

A shooting sports competition depends on more than targets and firearms. You need the venue, permits, safety protocol, officials, ammunition, participant records, and course setup in the right order. This checklist takes you from securing the range through registration, lane marking, target placement, scoring, and final preparation. It also helps you catch details that are often left until the last day, such as dietary requirements, chilled drinks, printed start lists, working bullet traps, and enough writing equipment for officials.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Reserve competition venue
Set the competition rules
2 people
Check the safety protocol
2 people
Check permits
Confirm race official
Assign track officials
2 people
Send invitations
2 people
Process registrations
2 people
Collect dietary requirements
Assign starter groups
2 people
Publish start lists
Confirm participants
2 people
Order competition ammunition
Order prizes and medals
Inspect course equipment
2 people
Check sport weapons
2 people
Prepare scorecards
2 people
Assemble participant folders
2 people
Do the shopping
2 people
Chill drinks
2 people
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
Set up registration desk
2 people
Mark lane sections
3 people
Hang up targets
3 people
Check the bullet traps
2 people
Mark off the safety zone
3 people
Set up first aid and emergency equipment
2 people
Build the catering buffet
3 people
Brief officials
4 people

Event

Open registration
3 people
Issue weapons and equipment
2 people
Give the opening briefing
2 people
Conduct a safety check
4 people
Guide the first competition round
6 people
Collect scorecards
2 people
Serve lunch buffet
3 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Lead the second round of the competition
6 people
Replace targets
3 people
Check scores
3 people
Guide the final round
6 people
Process final scores
3 people
Present prizes
3 people
Collect weapons
2 people
Close the track safely
4 people

Aftercare

Collect waste
3 people
Wash dishes
3 people
Clear tables and chairs
4 people
Clean the course
4 people
Remove targets and casings
3 people
Inventory materials
2 people
Return borrowed materials
2 people
Publish results
Send thank-you message

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Beer tablesqty 4
Registration desk
Waste binsqty 6

Sports equipment

Sporting Weaponsqty 8
Gun racksqty 4
Targetsqty 250
Disc holdersqty 12
Bullet Trapsqty 8
Competition ammunitionqty 5000
Shooting glassesqty 20
Ear defendersqty 30
Shooting matsqty 8
Course markingsqty 16
Safety tapeqty 4
Conesqty 20
Scorecardsqty 120
Scoreboard
Writing boardsqty 4
Pensqty 40
Stopwatchesqty 4
Safety flagsqty 12
Cleaning kitsqty 8
Weapon casesqty 8

Equipment

Laptopqty 2
Printer
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Megaphone
Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Power banksqty 4

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Soup kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 6

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 80
Drinking glassesqty 100
Soup bowlsqty 70
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Serving traysqty 8

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broom setsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Hand broomsqty 4
First aid kit
Fire extinguisherqty 2

Catering

Prizes and medalsqty 12
Groceries

Tips

Confirm the venue, permits, safety protocol, competition rules, and race official before sending invitations. Changes to any of these can affect the format and participant information.
Order competition ammunition and prizes early enough to allow delivery, checking, and secure storage. Do not wait until registration closes if quantities depend on the number of competitors.
Publish start lists only after registrations, dietary requirements, participant confirmation, and starter groups have been checked. Keep printed copies at the registration desk and with the relevant officials.
Inspect sporting weapons, gun racks, targets, disc holders, bullet traps, shooting mats, safety flags, and course markings before setup day. Replace or repair anything that could delay a firing line.
Prepare scorecards, participant folders, pens, stopwatches, the scoreboard, laptop, printer, extension cords, and power strips together. Test the printer and scoring setup before competitors arrive, not during registration.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I book a shooting competition venue?: Book the venue as soon as you have a likely date, preferably several months ahead. You also need enough time to confirm permits, inspect the course, and agree on the safety protocol before invitations go out.
When should I publish the shooting competition start list?: Publish it after registrations close and participants, dietary requirements, and starter groups have been checked. Aim to release the final list at least 3 to 7 days before the competition so participants can plan their arrival.
How much competition ammunition should I order?: Calculate the required rounds from the competition format and the number of starters, then add a small agreed reserve for sighting, damaged rounds, or approved reruns. Confirm the quantity with the official responsible for the rules before ordering.
What should I check on the shooting range before competition day?: Check the bullet traps, targets, lane sections, course markings, safety tape, cones, shooting mats, gun racks, safety flags, and access routes. Complete the inspection at least one day before the event, leaving time to correct problems.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.