Tag:leisure=shooting_ground

A shooting ground is an area dedicated to a range of shooting disciplines: skeet, clay-pigeon, air and rifle ranges. It usually consist of a mix of regularly laid out zones (some which can be tagged with leisure=pitch, and the relevant discipline using shooting=*, shooting ranges for rifle, pistol (not in UK) and air-gun, and one or more mixed terrain areas for 'event shooting'.

In general this tag is preferable to the use of leisure=pitch with sport=shooting for the following reasons: pitches are a) in general flat and covered by grass or an artificial substitute; b) have a regular defined layout; and c) are safe to walk across when out of use.

How to map

In general the area of the shooting ground should be mapped, only if this is not possible should a node be used.

Tagging scheme for leisure=shooting_ground

Tag	Notes
name=*	Name of the shooting ground
access=*	Use access tags to describe the allowed or preferred level of access. Most shooting grounds are owned and operated privately, whether as a for-profit enterprise or by a membership gun or shooting club. Access is therefore restricted to members & customers. Additionally access is controlled for safety reasons.
amenity=*	Most shooting grounds will have a catering option: either a cafe or restaurant. If the location of this is known map this separately.
shop=sports	Most shooting grounds will also a shop selling shooting consumables, clothing, accessories and sometimes guns. depending on the range of stock this might be tagged If the location of this is known map this separately.

Detailed mapping

Shooting areas will usually be separated by protective features which are usually earth berms (embankments) around 5-6 m higher than the shooting position. These can be mapped as man_made=embankment. Higher velocity shooting disciplines (e.g., rifle) may combine a retaining wall or target area implanted into, or slightly in front of, the berm.

Paths in the shooting ground are important as they will be routed to minimise the hazard from wayward shots. Some will be for access, but others may be for particular forms of shooting. The difference may not be obvious.

Blinds and raised hides may also feature within the shooting ground: these are designed to mimic man_made=hunting_stand in conjunction with particular clay pigeon traps.

Ranges for rifle and pistol should be tagged with leisure=shooting_ground, as once again they are not conventional pitches. The discipline can be indicated using the shooting=*, Indoor ranges should have covered=yes as well.

Pitch should only be used for standard skeet layouts which are very obvious. Always add the sport tag and an appropriate hazard tag.

Numerous other things can be micro-mapped: position of traps (although this may act as a spoiler), shooting positions, targets, etc.

Example locations

• Kibworth Shooting Ground 227940733 227940733. Mapped to a reasonable amount of detail.
• Bisley 747910044 747910044. The National Shooting Ground, run by the UK National Rifle Association. Intermingled with military ranges which are also protected areas.

See also

• Military training areas. These may include many similar features: rifle ranges, some sports shooting, etc. An excellent example is Truppenübungsplatz Hochfilzen 4839981 4839981.