[Mr. 16 gauge]

I would have to agree with skeeter.....why do I have to carry my rifle with me everywhere I go on the gun range? I, too, often bring several rifles with me when I go to the range, to make the most of my range time. To call this individual a candidate for the darwin awards is a little presumptuous to my thinking. That's like saying I should carry anything (and everything) I think precious to me EVERYWHERE I go.....it's just not practical. And, I'll be frank....I didn't think this would be a forum where one would blame the victim of a crime.

Sounds like someone is frequenting this particular gun range with the sole intention of stealing firearms....hide in the woods until someone isn't looking, then snatch their weapon and take off. I would take a close look at my membership list, as well as the local neighbors. Doesn't sound like anyone just "drove up' and took off.....one would think that one would hear a car, even at 300 yards.
Perhaps a simple solution would be to attach a wire cable to each shooting bench, with a loop at one end. One could then run the cable through the trigger guard and lock the cable to the bench. Unless the benches were really flimsy, I don't think anyone would try and steal the rifle AND the bench.....
Just a thought.................