A New Era
How It Began
In May of 2025, Heidi drove to Cody, Wyoming and bought us a home in Clark (approximately 25 minutes north of Cody and only 10 minutes from the Montana state line). We are only 15 minutes north of the Cody Shooting Complex where we will be teaching most of our classes.
Many of you know that the Cody Firearms Museum has a special place in our hearts so being just down the road from this amazing place is another reason we love it here. We STRONGLY suggest that when you come see us for class, you take some time to visit the Museum and head to Yellowstone Park located only 50 minutes from downtown Cody.
In early July, Heidi left with the dogs and cats to start the range builds, get the fence built for our 5 Jack Russells, plant 50 plus trees, and prep the house for my arrival with the moving trucks. I arrived July 11th, and since then we have been working non-stop. Even as I write this, we are in the middle of construction to expand the business office.
Life in Clark
Our home is just down the road from the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River. This area is famous for its history of course, but also hunting and fishing. We are surrounded by antelope, mule deer and grizzly bears. In fact, I shot my first elk on the switchbacks in the canyon in 1983.
Before we moved, I had already designed the two new ranges and purchased our new targets. To date, this is the 23rd range we have built. Heidi lived in the skid steer while we moved boulders the size of the house and 160 thousand pounds of concrete blocks for our back stops.
Our New Wyoming Family
Right away we were welcomed by this amazing community. Our new “family” is mostly all retired military and LE. Our lead staff instructor is also our next door neighbor, Joe Witty. His resume (below) speaks for itself. Joe and I ran in the same circles during my time on the road and his time with LA SWAT.
We were not here even 2 weeks when Heidi was asked to become the new Secretary for the Cody Shooting Complex board. She also joined the Clark Fire Department and is in the middle of her 6 month probationary period as a medic. She is also learning how to fight fires. As for me, I have been working on 3 new books for you all; pistol currently, one on shotguns, and lastly another book on fighting with all types of rifles within what is considered pistol fighting ranges.
All the dogs and both cats are loving it here as well. Bottom line, we feel like we have lived here our entire lives and we plan on staying put. We can’t wait to share this area with you and you will soon find out why we began this new era for our lives!
Semper Fi,
Clint & Heidi
A Brief History
Clint
Heidi
Clint & Heidi
Early Careers
Thunder Ranch era
1995
Heidi hired as Adjunct Firearms Instructor for Thunder Ranch Inc. Texas.
1998
Clint & Heidi are married.
Heidi became Operations Officer and Vice President of Thunder Ranch.
2004
Designed and built new Thunder Ranch facility in Lakeview, Oregon.
Heidi became President of Thunder Ranch.
2009-2023
Clint became reserve deputy for Lake County, Oregon. Heidi became EMT in Oregon and joined Lake County Oregon Sheriff Department as TEMS medic.
2023
Sold Thunder Ranch.
1993-2004
Designed and built Thunder Ranch Inc. in Mt. Home, Texas.
A New Era
2025
Clint & Heidi moved to Cody, Wyoming where Clint builds his 23rd range and Heidi is in probationary period as a medic/firefighter for the Clark Fire Department.
1967
1973-1980
1980-1983
1983-1986
1986
1987-1993
1990-1997
1991-1996
1992
Clint joined Marine Corps after High School. Sent to Army Language school for Vietnamese Dialect. Two tours to include CAP 243 (Combine Action Platoons).
Allen County Sheriff Department. SWAT and head of all firearms training.
Hired as Operations Officer under Jeff Cooper, to include building ranges and shoot houses.
Started first mobile training business - International Training Consultants (ITC).
Started H&K training division and teaching full auto courses.
On the road with ITC.
Heidi, along with her mom (Ginny Asp), start the Personal Safety Institute. The first all female firearms program on the west coast.
Heidi joined ITC as Adjunct Firearms Instructor.
Heidi became certified firearms instructor for the state of Washington with the Criminal Justice Association.
2026 and beyond
Writing new handgun, rifle, and shotgun books and new doctrines for future courses.
Joe Witty
Instructor
After a lifelong career in the military and law-enforcement, Joe retired to the great state of Wyoming and was comfortably, sometimes too comfortably, retired until Clint and Heidi Smith moved in nearby.
He was offered an opportunity he could not refuse and is enjoying his next adventure supporting all aspects of the Clint Smith Signature Series evolution of training.
After graduating from a small-town Oklahoma high school in 1980, Joe spent just under 10 years as a Recon Marine. During his service in the Marine Corps, he deployed on two West-Pack Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) deployments all over the Pacific Theater. Joe attended Navy Dive School, Airborne, Military Freefall, SERE, and the Special Forces Qualification Course. He was also part of the first train-up for the Reconnaissance In-Extremes Hostage rescue qualification before his second deployment.
In 1990, Joe joined the Los Angeles Police Department where he served with distinction for 31 years, retiring in 2021. His various assignments with LAPD included Patrol, Field Training Officer, LAPD Mounted Unit, and LAPD SWAT for over 19 years. During his time with LAPD SWAT, Joe was an assaulter, a Sniper, an Explosive Breacher, an EMT, and one of the teams Combative Cadre members.
Also in 1990, Joe signed up with A company, 1st Battalion of the 19th Group Green Beret National Guard. He participated in yearly Joint Combined Exchange Training Missions with the unit. Shortly after the attacks on 9/11, he deployed with his unit to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2002/2003. Again, in 2007/2008 Joe deployed to support Operation Iraqi freedom. He was assigned to Task Force Raptor. Joe retired from his military unit in December 2008 as the acting Sergeant Major for A Company.