I know all Texan shooters are awesome shots and I have seen some who cannot hit the 4' x4' backer board with the 2'x2' target paper.

So I ask if it is acceptable to require that shooters demonstrate that their gun is zeroed and that they are proficient at shorter distances before moving to longer distances is acceptable for our 500 yard range?

Thanks in advance for sharing and
all His best to you
walter

Your range, your rules. I don't think it's a bad idea and would gladly oblige if asked to do so. Safety first.
Chances are that the inexperienced shooters would miss short at that range anyway.

I believe I had to pass a shooting proficiency test before they would let me shoot on the 400-600 yard range when I was younger. It didn't bother me then and it wouldn't bother me now. One errant shot and the whole range could potentially be closed for good.

Acceptable? More like there should be no question about it. You can bet your last dollar that if (God willing) I get to build and open my own private range that everyone is going to have to prove they can shoot. If they can't prove it I'll provide the lessons. We can't have bullets flying onto someone else's property. Like RHutch said, your range, your rules. That will be my stance, if someone doesn't like it, there's plenty of other good people willing to take their spot.

I certainly wouldn't have an issue with it! You got my vote...

Should be mandatory. If your not proficient you do not get to shoot without lessons. No exceptions.

Should have to demonstrate before hunting as well IMO.

missing a target is no big deal .... that's why we practice..
got to start somewhere

malicious intent of firing over a berm or at electric poles
are the real dangers

Require them to Obey by your Rules and if you catch them
firing over the safety backstop you'll seek civil damages
against them, make them sign the paper in LARGE BOLD LETTERS

I know a lot of longer range ranges require that you are proficient enough to hit a target at distance. I wouldn't want someone out there next to me with no clue of how to shoot and hit targets that far out. Heck at 100 yards some people have a really hard time hitting.

Most everybody can shoot 100 yards ok. That's where their gun is likely sighted in. Many of those same people don't understand bullet drop or elevation changes to their scope and are dangerous to say the least. They should have to prove themselves every 100 yards before being able to shoot the next 100. Top gun has excellent rules for this posted on their websites home page. I think it would be a good model for your to look at.

It's rule #17 http://topgunshootingclub.com/

Best of the West in Liberty Hill requires the same. They have you qualify at 250 and 500 to make sure you can hit what you're aiming at, and also to show that you know how to properly use your equipment. If you show up with grandads surplus Mosin with flip up tangent sight... you're probably not going to get very far.

Regardless, from a public safety perspective, not to mention just good plain good shooting practices, I consider that totally acceptable. If you can't hit what you're aiming at... then shoot at something closer and practice until you can. If it's the equipment, then fix the equipment.

It's rule #17 http://topgunshootingclub.com/

That seems Reasonable to me..

You obviously don't hunt with the guys I know.

We saw a large drop in the amount of time spent looking for wounded deer when we asked everyone to put their feeders no more than 75 yards from their stand.

^^^Point^^^

I think it's a nice idea. After passing the test you should have little metal proficiency badges for sale if they want to buy them. (Nice marketing idea anyway)

I think it should be required. It is on the range I go to when using full auto. Its good to know you don't have some idiot out there who is gonna screw something up.

Should be mandatory....when your talking about bullets that can go for miles if they miss the berm.

I make every person I take hunting shoot their rifle to prove its sighted in and that they can infact hit a target.

YES

Yes
My requirement for a hunter would be to bust a clay pidgen 3 shots in a row.
Start at 100 and move out in 50 yard increments.
The max distance they can make the first shot and two subsequent is their hunting limit.

At Best of the West the Range I shoot at you have to qualify to shoot further than 250 yards.

Yup; I shoot there as well with another forum member who posted earlier in the thread.

Honestly it prevents a lot of heartache to the owners. Seeing some of the folk shoot at 100 yards, they'd have zero business going beyond 250-500 yards; most of the time it's just a novelty pot-shot to "see if they can hit it". I'm sure if it were left unrestricted you'd have folks trying to take their 1911s to 1000 yards.

Although of secondary importance, I think how you implement this restriction is critical. To be successful I think you've got to be willing to coach folks or work with them without making it a confrontation or a "put up or shut up" type deal.

I saw a guy get his gun bore sited in the gun club. He then went out to the 200 yard range and was standing up shooting, trying to hit a target, what an idiot.
Rules? Yes, please!

I almost think there should be a proficiency test for a hunting license.

Completely different subject, but your opinion on that matter sucks.