Cougar Mountain Solutions

Cougar Mountain Solutions teaches defensive use of firearms and tactics to law enforcement, military, and vetted civilians. Erick Gelhaus, the founder and lead instructor, has been in this world for over two decades—starting at Gunsite in 2001, where he became a lead instructor and developed their pistol-mounted optics program. Before that, he served across all three Army components with a ground combat deployment as a heavy weapons squad leader. His law enforcement career ran nearly 30 years at a large California sheriff's office, where he worked patrol, gang suppression, narcotics investigations, federal task force, and field training. He was the lead firearms instructor and supervised the department's use-of-force and firearms programs. The State of California and his agency decorated him for valor and service.

Real background meets real teaching. Gelhaus has a Master of Public Administration degree from Norwich University and has been published in print and online magazines covering use-of-force issues. He presents at training conferences and symposiums. This isn't someone who read about tactics in a book—it's someone who lived them, studied them formally, and now teaches them.

Defensive Handgun Training - Concealed Carry Skills (4, 8, or 16-hour options) - Practical Application - Handgun with Dots & Irons (8 hours) - Pistol Mounted Optics (8 hours) - Pistol Mounted Optics Instructor Course (3-day)

Shotgun Courses - Reactive Shotgun for home and business defense (8 hours) - Proactive Shotgun for law enforcement (8 hours) - Can be paired with Low Light Application for a two-day format

Low-Light Training - Low Light Application (8-hour blocks available for pistol, shotgun, or carbine) - Low Light Instructor Course for LE agencies (27 hours over three evenings) - Emphasis on target discrimination vs. target illumination, handheld and weapon-mounted lights, and adapting to ambient lighting challenges

Rifle/Carbine Work - Carbine Applications - Positions & Slings (8-16 hours, still in development) - Focuses on working at common pistol distances, using adjustable slings, and barricade/cover techniques in the 50-200 yard range

Specialty Options - Non-traditional and off-body carry methods (developed with Eve Kulcsar) - Judgmental shooting exercises integrated into most classes - Courses can be tailored—if you don't see what you need, contact CMS directly

Every course covers three things: - The Why & When, not just the how - Legal considerations grounded in practical application - Human factors (how stress, adrenaline, and decision-making affect performance)

Classes progress logically: dry manipulations and safety first, then live fire, then judgmental exercises. Whether you're a plainclothes officer, a correctional deputy, or a civilian, classes are designed around your role and the legal framework you operate within.

CMS maintains position on certain equipment based on safety concerns: - P320 pistols: Organizationally issued models allowed with briefing; personally owned not allowed until issues resolve - S&W M&P and Glock 9mm pistols with optics available for loan

CMS travels nationwide for training. Upcoming classes are hosted in multiple states including Texas, Louisiana, Washington, Indiana, Alabama, and Ohio. Classes are scheduled throughout the year. Range fees are typically $25-$50 per day and are due day-of.

Registration & Policies: - Enrollment minimums must be met 3 weeks before class start - Refunds issued only if CMS cancels - If you miss class due to work, family, or medical reasons, CMS will work to get you into another class within one calendar year - Third-party registration used for some courses; you'll be directed to the appropriate site

• •Email: [email protected]
• •Phone: (385) 422-3011

If you're a range, law enforcement agency, or training organization interested in hosting CMS courses, you can submit hosting requests directly through their website.

The Bottom Line: If you want training from someone with legitimate military combat experience, three decades in law enforcement, formal graduate education on use-of-force issues, and 25+ years teaching in the private sector, Cougar Mountain Solutions is the outfit.