Buena Vista Sportsman's Club

Buena Vista Sportsman's Club (BVSC) operates three separate shooting ranges in the Buena Vista, Colorado area, serving shooters from Buena Vista, Leadville, and Salida. The club accepts members year-round and hosts competitive leagues, casual shooting days, and youth programs.

Trap Range - Weekly trap shoots with scoring leagues - Summer Trap League runs 8 weeks (typically April-June) - $150 per shooter for league season - Individual signup—teams drawn randomly on opening day - Top 5 scores count toward final standings - Contact Preston Ellis at 719-221-1865 to sign up

Rifle Range - Bench rest rifle shoots - Sight-in days for hunting season - Classes include hunting rifles, scoped and unscoped rimfire, big bore pistol, and small bore pistol

Pistol Range - New target stands installed (2023) - Practical pistol shoots (Saturday mornings) - Recreational and competitive options

BVSC's most visible program is the Young Guns trap team, representing Buena Vista High School. The team consistently places at state level and welcomes shooters of all experience levels.

2023-2024 Results: Young Guns won first place in the Colorado State High School Clay Target League, ahead of an 8-team conference. Key performers included Dawson Martinez (1st overall male average), Taya Martinez (2nd female average), Trace Steed (3rd male), and Madalyn Carlson (3rd female).

Youth Program Details: - Open to students in 6th grade through high school - Coaches: Jake Farber, Erik Phillips, Travis Drake - Family-friendly—parents and siblings can shoot alongside the team - No prior experience required; the club provides guns for students who need them - Virtual scoring system means minimal travel - Emphasis on responsibility, etiquette, and handling pressure

• •Address: P.O. Box 1772, Buena Vista, CO 81211

• •Email: [email protected]

Board Leadership (2025): - President: Jim DePetro - Vice President: Art Grover - Treasurer: Kristin Huston - Secretary: Rex Roberson - Executive Officer: Doug Dreier

BVSC emphasizes building responsible shooters through structured programs. Coach Jake Farber created the Ascent Opportunity Development Division to combine trap shooting with life skills—helping young shooters learn resilience, focus, and how to handle failure productively.

"What we want to do is present them with opportunities to fail," Farber explains. "Give them the tools and the attitude to get back up again."

The club also conducts federal land conservation work, clearing fishing lines and hazards from nesting areas.