Wild West to Come Alive Next Week at Arizona’s Winter Range
OutdoorHub 02.16.12
Few things are more closely identified with the 100 years of Arizona statehood than the cowboys of the Old West. That proud portion of our state’s history will come alive again at this year’s Winter Range set for Feb. 20-26 at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix.
Winter Range provides the backdrop for the Single Action Shooting Society’s National Championship of Cowboy Action Shooting. Over the past 20 years, the event has grown to be the world’s largest “Western Encampment,” drawing thousands of spectators and Old West enthusiasts. About 1,000 competitors representing 42 different states and five foreign countries will compete in nearly two dozen categories. The competitors, male and female, range in age from 12 to more than 80 years old.
This year’s Winter Range has been designated as an Official Centennial Event.
Cowboy Action Shooting, the fastest-growing shooting sport in America, requires that contestants compete with firearms typical of those used in the days of the Old West: single-action revolvers, lever-action rifles, and period shotguns. Participants must also adopt a shooting alias appropriate to a character or profession of the late 19th century, a Hollywood western star, or an appropriate character from fiction, and then costume themselves accordingly.
The competition itself is staged in a unique “Old West” style. During timed events, shooters test their skills against steel targets set up within a course of 12 different stages, each featuring different scenarios and scenic elements, which this year will be based on events from Arizona’s colorful history.
In addition, this year will feature mounted shooters (Feb. 24-26 only) testing their skills in their own arena.
“This is a shooting sport that is exciting, safe and family friendly,” said Dan Wohleen (aka “Parson Swede”), volunteer publicity coordinator for Winter Range. “Come on out to watch – it’s a lot of fun.”
In addition to the competitive events, Winter Range 2012 will feature displays of period militaria, exhibitions of western skills and crafts, a fast draw competition, and nearly 100 vendors offering everything from period clothing to antiques and reproductions.
Entertainment will be readily available in the form of a number of singers, cowboy bands, trick roping, trick horses, and various other forms of cowboy entertainment. A variety of food services will also be available, from authentic chuck wagon cooking to hot dogs.
The Winter Range Championship and Exhibition is produced by the Arizona Territorial Company of Rough Riders, a not-for-profit group representing various Cowboy Action Shooting™ clubs in the Phoenix area and throughout Arizona. Every year the profits from Winter Range are donated to charitable organizations throughout Arizona, including youth organizations such as the Boy Scouts and the Youth Assistance Foundation of the MCSO, as well as the Wounded Warrior Project and the American Legion for their work with the Veterans Hospital. Last year more than $31,000 was donated to various charities.
Daily event times for this year’s Winter Range are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday and Tuesday (Feb. 20 and 21) and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday (Feb. 22-25), with the final awards ceremony taking place on Sunday, Feb. 26. Admission is free, but there is a $5 per vehicle parking fee which is used to support the Youth Assistance Foundation of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Posse and the Rotary Club.
While in the shooting areas, spectators will be required to wear eye protection; sunglasses and corrective glasses are acceptable. Ear protection is suggested, especially for children.
Winter Range is held at the world-renowned Ben Avery Shooting Facility, a five-star range operated by the Arizona Game and Fish Department that is a Phoenix Point of Pride. It is located just west of the junction of I-17 and Carefree Highway (exit 223). Winter Range will occupy the western portion of the shooting facility grounds and can be easily located by the huge white tent that serves as the hub of this event.
For more information, visit www.winterrange.com.
