Headed out next weekend. I've never been before so... I figured it was time. Speculation is that ammo will be in short supply and it's been suggested that one might bring some along. Hoping a couple of flats will be sufficient? Are there any other sights or regional things that I should consider? I've hunted turkey near there (North of Raton) back in the 90s (back over the State line in Sugerite Canyon) but otherwise it will all be new to me. Any dos and don'ts?

I expect that you will be welcomed in the same way you would be at most other ranges. I was, in the 90's, when I visited Whittington Center for an afternoons' skeet shooting with muzzleloaders. I was invited by a friend who lived in AR and wintered in Phoenix. I was there visiting my brother who lived in Phoenix, and who drove me out there for the afternoon. It was a nice facility. Good memories.

I spend 2.5 weeks at the Whitt every year. Highly recommend it. The three sporting clays courses are a lot of fun, but I'm there to shoot rifle matches. If you are staying in the campground, I can recommend better and worse campsites.

Take some rifles for sure (incl .22). There is a lot of steel to shoot from a few tens of meters to 1100+ yds. Spotting scope and someone to watch through it is a good idea.

Highly recommend the Cold Beer for pizza and beer, of course. Go out to the Whitt entrance, turn right, and drive 'til you see it. Keep going. You will not miss it. I promise. Try not to hit a pronghorn along the way - they like to graze in the ditches where the grass is greener. Elk too, but not so many.

Food in town is a bit iffy. Breakfast at the Oasis on the south end of town is as good as it gets, for Raton. Everything else is passable at best and down hill from there.

Drive up above the Star over Raton. You will come to the end of the dinosaurs. On your right - another can't miss. It's the iridium line. Below it, dinos. Above it, just birds.

What else? Well not a lot of things are better than sitting outside the trailer watching the monsoons roll past while eating something different and sipping on a quality beer or G&T.

PS. Bring boots with hard soles and your feet will thank you by the end of the first week.

Great venue and awesome bunch of guys! Wish the time would have worked out.

Have a good shoot!

I will be leading the crazyness on Sunday morning with rounds of crazy
on the skeet fields. What fun, what fun, bring an open choked grouse gun

Mike

Wow Stan Phoenix to Whittington is a long drive for an afternoonh

Stan is a bit geography challenged. Ben Avery is not the Whitt.

I am indeed. My bad.

I was remembering Ben Avery. Thanks for the correction guys.

Hello Lloyd!
Im the fellow who has been organizing this event for the last 15 years. I’ll introduce myself to you when you arrive. We will start with a gourmet potluck on Friday night. BYOB.
Saturday morning we will shoot the exciting Dove Flurry followed by a round or rounds of sporting clays on one of three SC courses.
Saturday evening we will have a banquet and guest speaker.
Sunday morning you can shoot more SC, or Crazy Skeet or participate in a vintage gun trap shoot.
Lots of fine folks will be in attendance.
Spectacular SxSs, fine single malt (after shooting of course) and cigars if you want.
We are in Denver today and driving back to Raton Friday morning.
We’ll see you soon!
Mark

Mark: Looking forward to it all. Is good bourbon acceptable as well?

We will determine at the time.
Mark and Bruce must sample and approve!
Ps. Bring a brimmed hat and sunscreen.

Copy on the brimmed hat and sunscreen. Appreciate the heads-up.

Take a drive through the old coal mines out back!

Lots of old coal mines in that country. Pretty snakey or is it too-early?

I’ll be there, Lloyd. Haven’t missed one since the beginning some 15 years ago. The view from Whittington is absolutely spectacular looking towards the east. Prairie country covered with extinct volcanoes. I never tire of it. Three good SC courses but two need ATV’s but not essential. Wish I had one.

Weather looks fine though chilly in the mornings and I’m sure in the evenings. This is the earliest we have ever held the event. Usually evenings are outside in lawn chairs with cigars and libations. Gonna be fun! The Competitor Housing is spacious and good with internet and good cell coverage. Beds are hard.

Bring your own bath towels, soap, etc.

Stars at night are incredible.

Looking forward meeting you after all these years of virtual relationships via this site.

So much to look forward to...

It will be fun to put faces to names.

While on the way to the Southern Side by Side this year I dealt with repeated traffic problems due to road construction and accidents. I was telling myself I should have gone to the vintagers event. After all it was several hundred miles closer for me, (from SE Kansas) and I would have had no major metropolitan areas to go thru.
The Southern was not nearly as good as past years and I promised myself next year I will go west, not east

After action report: got there in the teeth of a howling windstorm. Had serious concerns about a nearby range fire that was threatening to cause an evacuation. Slept rather fitfully accordingly. Much better the next morning, but still blustery and now rather cool. The sporting clays ranges were darn nice, with the blue course being one of the better ones I've ever had the pleasure of using. Shot a "flurry" after that, which is a curious use of a 5-stand (much fun!). The last day was "crazy skeet" (which is evidently a Texas export?). All in all, a lovely trip. Enjoyed meeting the Texas contingent and got to fondle some lovely firearms. Coming home we saw 5 semi-trucks and trailors on their side along I-25.