about

Future Sheriff

For more than 18 years, Aaron Hughston has worked hard keeping Blaine County safe. As a former Blaine County Level I reserve deputy, Aaron volunteered 6,000 hours for the Sheriff’s office, and trained new police officers at the Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Academy in Meridian. Twice-awarded the Idaho governors Brightest Star Award for exemplary volunteer service and fostering an ethic of service in others, Aaron’s leadership in Blaine County is unmatched. Aaron earned his Airline Transport Pilot designation, the FAA’s highest certificate, flying both as a captain at Raytheon Corporation and as a private pilot.

Aaron resides in Hailey with his wife Kelly, a Hailey Elementary schoolteacher, and together they have a teenage daughter. Aaron is the owner and operator of Hughston’s Shooting School in Hailey and holds numerous licenses and certifications, including certified range instructor, defensive handgun instructor, and CFP firearms instructor. Aaron trains both law enforcement and private citizens in firearms safety.

Aaron Hughston

EDUCATION

2009-2016

Thunder Ranch, Oregon

Thunder Ranch, Oregon. Completed of 276 hours in professional instruction in the following areas: Urban Rifle (three times), Tactical Handgun II, In Home & Vehicle Defense with Trauma Block, High Angle Rifle (two times), Defensive Handgun Instructor Development, Defensive Handgun and Urban Rifle Combination Course, Use of Force, Defensive Handgun, and Team Tactics and staff Member.

2011-2014

reserve academy

Completed P.O.S.T. Meridian, Level 1 reserve academy in 2012. Where I did several additional training programs and was on staff as instructor for the reserve academy.

2014

Las Vegas

Front Sight, Las Vegas. Attended a 4-day Defensive handgun class. 32 Hours

1998

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department

P.O.S.T. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Reserve Level II - Module “B”, 117 Hours. PC832-Module “A” Powers of Arrest 54 Hours, PC832 Module “A” Powers of Arrest 24 Hours, Driver Awareness 16 hours. Total of 211 hours for the California reserve academy.

1995

Bachelor's in Psychology

California State Long Beach, CA. Obtained a bachelor's degree in Psychology.

experience

2016–2024

County reserve

Elmore County Reserve Deputy Level I

2008-Present

NRA Range safety

NRA Range Safety Officer. Completed the NRA Range Safety Officer program.

IDPA and USPSA Competitor

2014

Instructor Development P.O.S.T.

Successfully completed the required 40 Hour Instructor Development class.

2013

gun range safety

P.O.S.T. Meridian Certificate of Recognition/Instructor. Presented a certificate of recognition for my volunteer hours with the reserve academy as a safety officer on the gun range and for my volunteer work in the classroom.

P.O.S.T. Firearms Instructor Class. Passed both the entry and exit tests successfully. Defensive Aerosol Instructor Course P.O.S.T.

2012

Reserve Academy

P.O.S.T. Level 1 Reserve Academy Meridian. Awarded the “Possible Club” award for my firearms accomplishments.

2011-2016

Blaine county reserve

Blaine County Reserve Deputy Level 1

2008 - 2014

training counselor

N.R.A. Firearms Basic Pistol Instructor / Training Counselor. Instructed more than 5 Idaho Enhanced firearms classes, with more than 100 total students, this year after completing the 3-day class.

2007-2018

bci concealed firearms instructor

Utah BCI Concealed Firearms Instructor. Successfully passed the Utah Instructor Course and renewal 3 times. I have instructed over 1000 students.

Certificates & Training

2021

United States Practical Shooting Association

Range Officer certification.

2018

P.O.S.T. Idaho

Firearms Instructor Refresher.

2016

Thunder Ranch Inc.

High Intensity Tactics Course, 24 Hours.

2014

Thunder Ranch Inc.

Urban Precision Rifle, 24 hours.

Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification

CFP Firearms Instructor Course Completion Certificate.

Front Sight Firearms Training Institute

Four-Day Defensive Handgun Course.

2013

P.O.S.T. Idaho

Defensive Aerosol Weapons Instructor Course.

2012

Thunder Ranch Inc.

High Angle Rifle Course, 32 Hours.

Defensive Handgun Course, 24 Hours.

Defensive Handgun Instructor Development Course, 8 Hours.

2011

Thunder Ranch Inc.

High Angle Rifle Course, 32 Hours.

Team Tactics Course, 24 Hours.

2010

Thunder Ranch Inc.

Urban Precision Rifle Course, 24 Hours.

Home and Vehicle Defense Course with Trauma Block, 28 Hours.

Defensive Handgun and Urban Rifle Combination Course, 32 Hours.

2009

Thunder Ranch Inc.

Urban Rifle Course, 24 hours.

Tactical Handgun II Course, 24 Hours.

2008

NRA Range Safety Officer Course.

1998

San Bernardino County Sheriff Department.

Reserve Level II – Module B.

PC 832- Module “A” (Firearms).

Driver Awareness 16 hours.

teaching

2020

Hughston Shooting School

Private Instruction

Private Long Range Rifle

Idaho Enhanced Concealed Firearms Permit Class

Fighting Rifle & Pistol Class

Idaho Enhanced Concealed Firearms Permit Class

2019

Elmore County Sheriff Office

Post Reserve Firearms

Hughston Shooting School

Intro To Pistol Class

2018

Hughston Shooting School

Tactical Casualty Combat Care

Basic Handgun Class

Fighting Pistol & Vehicle Defense

Tactical Combat Casualty Care

Idaho Enhanced Concealed Firearms Permit Class

Elmore County Sheriff Office

Tourniquet Training Elmore County Sheriff Office,

OC Class User Certification

2017

Hughston Shooting School

Tactical Casualty Combat Care

Basic Handgun Class

Fighting Pistol & Vehicle Defense

Tactical Combat Casualty Care

Idaho Enhanced Concealed Firearms Permit Class

Elmore County Sheriff Office

Tourniquet Training Elmore County Sheriff Office,

OC Class User Certification

Competition Awards

2021

uspsa

Carry Optics Master Class

2020

USPSA

Carry Optics A Class

2019

USPSA

PCC Master

2018

uspsa

Area 1 Missoula MT, Limited B 3 rd place.

2013

Utah IDPA

Championships 2 nd Place Custom Defensive Pistol “Expert”