Capitan Shooting Sports

Capitan Shooting Sports has roots stretching back to post-World War 2, with the current range built in 1957 by rancher Grady Eldridge on the Spencer Ranch. The organization became a non-profit in 2003 and reincorporated in 2018 as a 501(c)(3), making member donations tax-deductible.

The range operates 15 firing points and maintains distances from 50 yards to 1,000 yards, accommodating three distinct shooting disciplines.

NRA High-Power ("Across the Course") - Monthly league matches March through October - State High Power Championship each July - NRA Regional Championship annually - Standard match format: 20 shots slow fire standing at 200 yards, 20 rapid fire sitting at 200 yards, 20 rapid fire prone at 300 yards, 20 slow fire prone at 600 yards - All events shot on ShotMarker electronic targets (installed 2025)

F-Class Long-Range Shooting - Matches at 1,000 yards - Standard league format: three 15-shot stages (45 shots total per match) - Sling shooters welcome to compete - State F-Class Championship and NRA Regional Championship each year - Electronic target system across all 15 points

Smallbore Prone (50/100 Yard Range) - Built in 2007 with covered firing line - Conventional prone matches: 40-shot stages at 50 and 100 yards - F-Class smallbore also hosted alongside sling shooters - Monthly league (one match per month) - State Smallbore Prone Championship and NRA Regional Prone Championship annually

To join Capitan Shooting Sports:

1. Must be NRA member (non-negotiable—it's in the bylaws) 2. Annual dues: $65 individual / $75 family 3. Initial qualification: Either shoot in a club-sponsored match OR attend an orientation class conducted by an officer 4. New member contact: Bill Rodolph handles all orientations 5. Guest limit: 3 non-members per member without special officer permission 6. Range protocol: Red "Hot Range" flag must fly at gate whenever anyone is at the facility

Memberships lapsed more than 1 year require a new orientation before reinstatement.

• •Range configuration: 15 firing points (originally 25 until weather damage to pit retaining wall)
• •Shooting distances: 50 yards to 1,000 yards
• •Smallbore range: 100-yard facility with covered firing line (built 2007)
• •Target system: ShotMarker electronic targets on all high-power and long-range points
• •Member access: Range available for practice when no formal competitions are scheduled

• •January 24: Annual meeting + swap meet at Trinity Baptist Church (meal $15)
• •March-October: High-power league twice monthly (80 shots both days)
• •April 3-October 23: Women's Shooting League (Fridays 1:30-3:30 PM)
• •May 17: Mini Palma Fun Match (smallbore)
• •June 13-14: NM State Smallbore Prone Championship
• •July 10-12: NM State High Power Championship
• •August 1-2: F-Class Regional at Capitan
• •September 25-27: High Power Regional at Capitan
• •October 3-4: NM State F-Class Championship
• •October 10-11: Smokey Bear Smallbore Regional Championship

Capitan Shooting Sports' stated mission emphasizes safe handling, marksmanship development, and character-building through competitive shooting. The club specifically promotes honesty, fellowship, self-discipline, team play, and self-reliance—core elements of sportsmanship and "true patriotism."

The club is a 100% NRA membership organization and maintains affiliation with the NRA for all sanctioned competitions.