Shootists Holiday 2001
Jim Taylor

The first of June found me and Mike Harmon in Raton, NM at the premier shooting spot in the country, the NRA Whittington Center. We were there making preparations for the upcoming yearly event known as The Shootists Holiday and I was certainly enjoying the weather, the scenery and the environment while we made ready.

Located on well over 30,000 acres of land The Whittington Center has what I feel to be some of the finest ranges built. Each shooting range is so constructed that any shot fired downrange will not exit the property, no matter the elevation. One year we shot helium-filled balloons with handguns and rifles, a practice that is not safe to do in many areas, but which can be safely done at Whittington. Everything from rimfire ranges to shotgun ranges, 1000-yard High Power, silhouette, black powder, bench rest, PPC, Cowboy Action .... you name it and it can be done here.

The NRA Whittington Center is a separate entity from the NRA, a fact that not everyone is aware of. The NRA Whittington Center is a non-profit corporation with it’s own Board of Directors. All funds to run the Center, build and maintain the facilities, and pay the staff come from what the Center can raise. Thus the Whittington Center has fund-raisers and special raffles to raise the necessary money to keep operating.

In addition to very fine ranges there is housing on the property available for very reasonable rates. The housing includes family cabins and bunkhouse-type cabins as well as Competitor Housing Units that are more dormitory-style. There is also camping facilities ranging from primitive camping to RV parks with appropriate hookups. With deer, bear, elk and antelope wandering the property it all makes for a great setting.

The Shootists have been meeting at The Whittington Center for several years now. Started in 1986 by noted writer and author John Taffin, The Shootists have outgrown other facilities and when looking for a place to meet were guided to the Center. The staff was more than willing to work with us and we have been meeting there ever since. We want to extend a heartfelt "Thank You" to Mike Ballew and all the Whittington Center Staff for making us welcome.

The Shootists Holiday is not competitive shooting, though we spend a lot of time on the firing line. We shoot informally, meet with other folks who are like-minded, share ideas, meet old friends, look at each other’s firearms and try them out, and just enjoy one another’s company. We have adopted the Hunter’s Pistol Range as our "home" range and every morning found us on that facility. With a covered firing line and lots of targets it makes an excellent place to start.

While the Hunter’s Pistol Range is limited to handguns and rifles of handgun calibers, a lot of shooting is done on that range other than target work. A lot of us spent quite a bit of time shooting rocks out to distances of 800 yards or so. Someone would pick out a likely target, a range-finder would be put on it, and the shooting would begin. One particular rock at 577 yards has become a favorite. While not too much of a challenge for high-power rifles, it is fun to shoot with handguns. Especially iron-sighted sixguns. There were many such targets at all distances from 100 yards on out to 800 or so as I stated previously. The mountains are a "target rich" environment.

Quite a few families attend The Shootists Holiday and it was reflected on the firing line. One day I watched as Jeff Hoffman of Black Hills Ammunition instructed his 10-year-old daughter. She proceeded to shoot rocks out to 400 yards with an AR-15 and did a whale of a job at it! Her teenage sister also did extremely well at long range with the AR-15. Both of the Hoffman girls are excellent shots.

Shootists shot on other ranges besides the "home" range. Bill Buckman set up a Cowboy Action stage at a range nearby for any who wanted to shoot that. Quite a few went to try their hand at it. including some who had never shot a Cowboy match but who were interested in trying.

Others spent at least part of a day on the 1000-yard Range trying out their "wind-doping" skills. Still others went and shot the 1100-yard Buffalo target, some with blackpowder Sharps Buffalo guns. The Center has enough facilities that most everyone can shoot their particular type of shooting that they have an interest in.

During the week we had several seminars available for those who wanted to attend. On Tuesday Milton Morrison of Qualite’ Pistol and Revolver (5580 Havanna St. Suite 6A, Denver, CO 80239 ph. 303 574-1765 http://www.qpr-inc.com/ ) gave a seminar on "Gunmithing the Single Action Revolver". Morrison gave us many valuable "inside" tips and tricks that can be used to slick up a single action revolver, and also what to check when buying a used one.

Wednesday John Linebaugh of Linebaugh Custom Sixguns (P.O. Box 455, Cody, WY 82414 ph. 307-645-2332 www.sixgunner.com/linebaugh/default.htm ) presented a seminar entitled "Big Bore Sixguns – Dissolving the Myth, Discovering the Potential". This also was an excellent seminar.

Wednesday evening Bob Boyle presented his portrayal of the life and times of Doc Holliday in "The Way It Was". A few minutes on stage and he is Doc Holliday! After the presentation which was about an hour and half long, he took questions from the audience and answered them "in character". It was great! Mr. Boyle has spent years researching the dentist/gambler/gunman and has come as close as possible to bringing Doc back from the past centuries. "Doc Holliday" can be contacted at 153 Orchard Lane, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 ..., which incidentally is the town where Doc Holliday is buried.

Thursday afternoon an event took place that was a first for The Shootists – a wedding! Terry Murbach and Judy Burner were united in holy matrimony on the Hunter’s Pistol Range. The bride waited on the firing line while shotgun-toting "guards" escorted the groom. It all was a grand time and great fun. At the conclusion of the ceremony a sixgun salute was fired in their honor. 

Thursday evening was the Banquet and raffle. This was held at Skinner’s Cafeteria on the Whittington Center. The meal was excellent – Prime Rib, roast beef, and all the fixin’s. Skinners did a wonderful job for us. There were over 100 in attendance at the banquet.

The raffle featured 7 guns and a myriad of equipment, knives, shirts, and shooting accessories from many different manufacturers. Part of the money being raised will go to build a Range Office on the Hunter’s Pistol Range. This office will available for use by any group using the Range during the year. The Shootists would have a place to store their equipment from year to year and also a place to showcase their awards and plaques. We have a Building Fund set up now and are on our way toward the goal of getting the Range Office built.

I would like to thank all of the people who helped make this Shootists Holiday a success. Without them it would have been impossible. Those who volunteered as Range Officers, the people who donated raffle items, those who cooked, everyone who pitched in to help clean up the ranges at the end of the day... it all is very much appreciated.

The week ended all to quickly. I had to leave Friday morning, as did others. Many stayed over and shot a half-day and then cleaned up the ranges. Again I express my sincere thanks to all of you and to The Whittington Center for having us. It was a Holiday to remember.

Pictures are posted at http://www.shootists.com/ - Look for the link "Images from the Shootists Holiday 2001"

Freedom Arms

Belt Mountain Enterprises

Ashley Outdoors

CCI / Blount

Cor-Bon Ammunition

Black Hills Ammunition

Buffalo Bore Ammunition

Deep South Equipment

Bear Track Cases

Cold Steel Knives

Cast Performance Bullet Co.

Qualite’ Pistol & Revolver

Gripmaker Grips

Alpha Precision, Inc.

Hanned Precision

I think I missed a few and will add them as I have them forwarded to me. Thank you one and all.

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