Treasure Valley Shooting Academy

Bio

Dane is a USCCA-certified firearms instructor and seasoned mental health professional who believes responsible gun ownership starts in the mind. His approach blends technical skill with mental strength, discipline, and clarity—because knowing how to use a firearm matters, but knowing when (and when not to) matters even more.

Background & Inspiration

Firearms were part of Dane’s world early on. Growing up with a father who was both a deputy sheriff and an accomplished hunter, guns were treated with seriousness and respect—not curiosity or bravado. First came clear rules: don’t touch. Later came age-appropriate lessons in safety, handling, and function. Those early teachings built a foundation of responsibility that stuck.

As a husband, father, and active member of his community, Dane chose to go deeper. He didn’t just want to understand firearms mechanically—he wanted to understand the weight of carrying one. That meant developing restraint, judgment, and the mental fortitude to act decisively or stand down when necessary. He pursued training from a wide range of instructors and committed himself to becoming not just a skilled shooter, but a responsible and thoughtful gun owner.

Professional Expertise

Today, Dane has been training with firearms in a professional manner for nearly 20 years. He took his knowledge to new levels by becoming a USCCA-Certified Firearms Instructor in 2022 and has continued his education by obtaining specialized certifications in Children’s Firearm & Safety Education, Women’s Handgun & Self-Defense, Countering the Mass Shooter Threat, and is a Certified Range Safety Officer. Additionally, he brings 15 years of professional experience in the mental health field to the range.

This unique dual background shapes everything he teaches. His students don’t just learn about the shooting mechanics. He teaches about self-work, helping other recognize the importance of sound judgment, emotional regulation, and decision-making under stress. The result is training that prepares people not just to carry a firearm, but to carry it responsibly.

Beyond instruction, Dane is the founder and owner/operator of multiple growing businesses in the Treasure Valley. He’s passionate about building strong teams, fostering collaboration, and creating organizations that serve both their mission and their community. His leadership style blends structure and vision with commitment and compassion, keeping people aligned, compliant, and empowered.

Philosophy & Approach

Mental health and firearms training may seem like separate worlds—but Dane sees them as deeply connected. Both demand discipline, self-awareness, emotional control, and a clear mind under pressure.

In his academy, mental strength is not an afterthought—it’s foundational. Dane helps students identify triggers, manage fear and anxiety, and build confidence without slipping into overconfidence. He emphasizes restraint as a skill, not a weakness, and teaches that ethical decision-making is just as important as marksmanship.

He’s also honest about the responsibility involved. Firearms amplify what’s already present—good judgment or poor judgment, calm or impulsivity. Without the right mental tools, ownership can become dangerous. By integrating mental health awareness into firearms education, Dane works to create safer, more grounded, and more responsible gun owners.

At its core, his work is about empowerment—whether helping someone navigate personal challenges or training them to protect their life with clarity and integrity.

Commitment to Growth

For Dane, firearms training begins with the basics: how a gun works, how to hold it, how to shoot accurately. But the deeper path of gun ownership is about self-awareness—understanding your fears, impulses, and reactions when stakes are high.

That journey sometimes involves shadow work: facing uncomfortable truths about who we are under pressure. Dane continues to pursue both advanced technical training and deeper psychological insight because he believes mastery is never finished. It requires humility, reflection, and constant growth.

Ultimately, his mission is simple: to help others develop strength, clarity, and responsibility—on the range, in their lives, and in the moments that matter most.