The Amtac Shooting Intro to Winter Skills/Shooting Course

This course is designed to teach you how to shoot, move and survive in a cold weather environment. 

This course will start with a 1 mile snowshoe to the training location carrying all of the required equipment. Once at the training site students will learn how to build shelters/ fires, and shoot. Additional skills that will be covered include basics on snowmobile recovery and the benefits of skishoes/AT skies. A pre-trip recording will be available via a link in your course confirmation email and Live Zoom Meeting will be scheduled in January to go over gear and answer questions.

*In order to participate in this course, you must be able to carry a 30-40 lbs pack uphill for about a mile. Do not sign up if you cannot move multiple miles with a ruck under non snowed in conditions.*

About the Instructor, Bill Rapier

Bill Rapier is the owner and lead instructor of American Tactical Shooting Instruction LLC, also known as Amtac Shooting. He is recently retired after twenty years in the Navy, where his duty assignments included several years at SEAL Team 3 and over 14 years at Naval Special Warfare Development Group. Positions held include assaulter, breacher, sniper, team leader, troop chief and military working dog department senior enlisted adviser. He has always been an avid shooter and is heavily involved in combatives.

Gear List: ***Due to the serious nature of this course, all items on the gear list are mandatory***

1. Carbine with 120 rds approx 4.5 lbs of ammo (carbine must fit inside of pack or be discreetly attached to the pack)

2. Pistol with 100 rds, approx 3lbs of ammo (normal EDC pistol, must be concealed; your holster must be all Kydex from a reputable company -- I recommend an inside-the-waistband holster from Blackpoint Tactical “FO3”)

3. Breathable stretchy outer layer softshell jacket

4. Breathable stretchy outer layer softshell pants

5. Warm hat

6. Neoprene face gator

7. Thin wool or capaline base layer top

8. R1 or similar top and pants base layer

9. Puff jacket (can be synthetic of down)

10. Contact gloves (super thin wool or capaline)

11. Medium to heavy ski or snowmobile glove

12. Wool socks (recommend Darn Tough or Smart Wool)

13. Warm boot (Solomon Tundra's are a warm choice)

14. Gaitors 

15. Snow shoes (MSR's are recommended)

16. Trecking poles with snow baskets

17. 20 degree sleeping bag or warmer (I recommend down due to weight/ bulk)

18. Shelter system (this could be a bivvy sack + tarp or a lightweight one-man tent)

19. Ground Pad

20. Stove (for cold weather/ high altitude the whisper lite International is recommended, as compressed gas stoves do not perform as well)

21. Backpack to fit all of this gear into

22. Eye protection/ hearing protection

23. Blow-out kit and tourniquet

24. Food: snacks for 2 days, 1 dinner and breakfast. Freeze-dried is recommended for weight savings.

25. Water 1 Liter Minimum (Clean Canteen stainless steel bottles are recommended -- it is also nice to have an empty MSR 2 L water bladder with you)

26. Your pack cannot weigh more than 40 lbs (30lbs is recommended)

Location 
The Amtac Training Center located one hour north of Coeur D'Alene Idaho (directions are provided in Course Confirmation Email)

Course Contact Information
Primary: [email protected]
Secondary: (208) 701-2542