By Weston Trapp
Following the all-American entrepreneurial model of humble basement beginnings, Effective Range Targets is now entering its third year on the market. From well before day one, founder/president Dave Howard has vigilantly stood by his vow of empowering the next generation of hunters and, in doing so, helping to preserve our American tradition of hunting.
Wait ... We’re talking about just a paper, shooting target, right?? Absolutely ... and, absolutely not. The Patent Pending Effective Range Target System consists of three pieces that when utilized correctly will drastically decrease the chances of missed or wounded animals (FACT). Keep in mind, this system allows for long range practice at just 100 yards ... not sure about you, but for me shooting over 100 usually requires a long drive and overnight bag.
1. ERT sight-in Target - easily the best sight-in target I’ve used with points of aim for weapons zeroed 2”, 3”, and 4” high at 100 AND a bull’s eye that’s actually 1 MOA (Minute Of Angle) - 1.0472".
2. Species specific targets - available in 8 target sizes that cover more than 25 North American game animals. “... more than just standard target rings, Effective Range Target utilize anatomically correct, species specific, Vital Rings ...” says Dave. These targets also boast the multiple points of aim as well. Based on a shooter’s individual grouping ability these targets determine the maximum effective range of each shooter, pretty sweet!
3. PER (Personal Effective Range) Card - based on the military DOPE (Data On Previous Engagement) Cards this helps shooters keep track of maximum effective range for different weapons, bullets, shooting positions, etc.
As Dave continues his involvement with Hunter Education classes and partnering with guides, outfitters, and lodges to ensure clients are well prepared for their hunts, I have no doubt ERT will become a new standard within the rifle hunting community. There are even more bells and whistles with the system but I’ll leave that for you to discover at EffectiveRangeTargets.com
So, without doubt in my mind, the Effective Range Target System is a great training tool for new hunters, but there’s value for the salty-pro as well! I’d like to consider myself a solid shooter but putting these up at the range and shooting from realistic hunting positions is humbling, and I challenge you to see for yourself.
My favorite use, so far, has been utilizing the ERT System to help me assess and dial-in new weapon systems or accessories ... say, a Griffin Armament RECCE 7 suppressor that was just released from tax stamp jail. *Cue Dr. Evil laugh* The ERT Sight-In Target made zeroing with the new can a breeze thanks to a subtle 1” grid on the target with optic adjustment directions. While all my weapons are zeroed at 100 m, yes meters (it’s a Sniper thing), the ERT Sight-In Target has multiple points of aim each with a different shape making it easy to make sure your POA (Point Of Aim) is correct and consistent.
Once I was corrected for the inherent POI (Point of Impact) shift after adding my suppressor I put out two ERT Pronghorn Targets, which seemed fitting as I am currently bow hunting pronghorn in the Pawnee National Grasslands, and shot from a kneeling and seated position. As I said before these targets are humbling! As I went from zeroing to the pronghorn target the suppressor was HOT and combined with 90+ degree temp. on the plains the mirage was KICK’N! Which provided information that would be important before taking this system hunting (i.e. effective range is cut down when there’s high mirage effect and order a dang suppressor wrap!).
While the system can determine if a shooter’s grouping ability would allow a 600-yard shot, it doesn’t however provide ALL the information to ethically harvest an animal at that distance. Individual equipment factors like caliber, bullet, barrel length/twist, etc. will all determine bullet drop, which must be accounted for when taking longer shots. In addition, environmental factors like wind, precipitation, altitude, (mirage), will all need to be accounted for as well. These factors I would hope an individual would consider when taking a longer shot in combination with their Effective Range Target results.
Solidify your shooting confidence before headed out into the field, or, determine the shooting positions you may need some practice with. At the end of the day we can all always improve and whether it’s for your own use or a tool you gift to a new hunter to set them on the ethical path ... Effective Range Targets are a long overdue upgrade to the hunter’s paper target.
One shot. One kill.
About the writer: Weston is a former Army 10th Mountain Division Reconnaissance Sniper who has deployed to Iraq and competed in the 2011 International Top Sniper Competition. He is an avid hunter, life-long fly fisherman, and creative/marketing professional. You can follow his adventures on Instagram @WestonTrapp