The NRA Whittington Center in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains just south of Raton, NM is one of the largest and most comprehensive shooting facilities in the United States. 10% of the 33,300 acre site has been developed to include fifteen shooting ranges, an administration building, museum library, classrooms and 175 site full hookup rv park . The remainder of the site provides wildlife habitat from above 6300 feet with primitive campgrounds and remote back-country cabins for hunting, birding, wildlife viewing, photography, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. All of the facilities and activities are open to the public.
The driveway is lined with all 50 US state flags. All of the shooting ranges are located against the mountain to the right of the right of the main building, with the rv parking in the rear.
The right wing of the center includes classrooms, and administrative offices. The left is a small museum. Inside the main door we entered
a rotunda with
this big fella.
Walking straight through the gift shop
we found the library. On the wall is a series of paintings depicting the settlement of New Mexico. Various sculptures were scattered around. In the flat drawers were different kinds of ammo
It takes books to make a library. These included subjects like hunting, fishing, the outdoors, travel, and history.
Beyond the library was a conference room.
To the left of the gift shop is this museum.
It highlighted firearms changes in design and use from the coming of the Spanish to New Mexico
through the mountain man period,
and several wars
to modern competitive shooting.
Displays also showed the distinctly American influences.
Other displays included a mural around the room. I particularly liked the contrasts here between the Native American horseback traveler and the pioneer wagon traveler, and between shipping by ox drawn wagons and shipping by train.
Two old saddles were also on exhibit.
There were several taxidermied animals including this bear. Yes I really am afraid of bears, but only the living kind. Check out those claws!
Leaving the museum we drove around the area behind the center past the different kinds of shooting ranges
and the rv camping
and the group cabins.
That was our tour of the day.
Louise and Duane
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