Casa de Campo’s Expert Shooting Instructor

Hermogenes Guerrero, expert shooter instructor at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU START WORKING FOR CASA DE CAMPO?

My brother brought me to work here 30 years ago when I was very young. After working for a while at the tennis courts, the man that created the Shooting Center (Michael Rose) asked if I wanted to help him develop it further. I went and I liked it, I thought it was interesting. Ever since I was a child I liked shooting because we used to go to the rural areas to hunt birds and that is how my interest for shooting started.

HOW WOULD YOU COMPARE CASA DE CAMPO WITH OTHER SHOOTING CENTERS AROUND THE WORLD?

I think we are unique. Casa de Campo is considered by many to be the best shooting center of any part of the world because of the way it is designed and how it works.

TELL US ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE SHOOTING CENTER

The Shooting Center used to be located where the rodeo is now. There was just a small skeet and trap shooting-range. Later Mr. Pepe Fanjul brought Michael Rose to develop the shooting to another level. Michael began to build this firing range, which is one of the most important in the Caribbean. We started small. It has grown a lot, just like Casa de Campo./em>

TELL US ABOUT THE DIFFERENT SHOOTING OPTIONS YOU HAVE HERE

We use only shotguns here, that is very important. We use all the calibers, 28, 20, 12 and 410 – a very small shotgun for beginners; those who know how to shoot can use any caliber.
We have the skeet which is a form of clay pigeon shooting. We have the trap, a form of shooting where the clay moves away from the shooter. There is also the Olympic trap or the double trap which is basically the same. We have sporting clays, as well. We can spend half a day walking around the tower, shooting in every position–we have around 250 positions that we can change at any time. We also have Pigeon Rings, something which is very famous in Europe./em>

WHICH ACTIVITIES ARE THE MOST POPULAR?

The most popular is the clay pigeon shooting, it doesn’t matter if it’s skeet, trap or sporting clays; because the majority of people, when they start, want to start with clays. After that, they start to get enthused and want to shoot at birds, but normally they begin with clays.

WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR SOMEONE SHOOTING FOR THE FIRST TIME?

Sometimes, people want to try the sporting clays even if they’ve never shot. After that the customers go with an instructor, who goes over the basics; what they should do, the care of the guns, safety procedures etc. But for a beginner skeet or trap, either of the two are good to start, because the area is small and it’s faster to learn.

WHAT ARE THE SHOOTING CENTER’S GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS?

Without a doubt, the development of the shooting preserve in Rancho Peligro where the European-Style driven bird shoot takes place. We also have kennels, a hotel for dogs. It’s a great option for villa owners who have pets, they can leave their dogs with us when they go on trips.

YOU’VE WORKED WITH MANY CELEBRITIES OVER YOUR TIME HERE. ANY MEMORABLE MOMENTS TO SHARE?

During my time at the shooting range we have had the opportunity to work with several celebrities– some presidents of the United States, celebrities of Dominican television and other presidents of Latin America.
What is the most rewarding thing about your role as shooting coordinator? What has most satisfied me is to be able to offer our clients a quality service and delivery at the highest level.

0 Shares
Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap