The Shooting Experience
4UR Ranch shooting sports are a great addition to your active vacation. From our Sporting Clays course to our Trap Shooting range, these activities are well-suited for both expert and novice alike. There is nothing like watching your daughter or son safely and confidently experience such a sport for the first time under the guidance of our skilled staff. In addition to this, there is also room for a competitive group of family and friends to see who will end up with the strongest scorecard at the end of the day. No matter your experience, if you’re an enthusiast when it comes to shooting, you’ll enjoy the 4UR Shooting Sports.
Sporting Clays
Located just above the trout-abundant Walton Pond and constantly surrounded by the breathtaking Palisades, our 11-station sporting clays course is truly world-class. Designed to emulate a real-world wing hunters paradise, our stations vary from a classic going away double shot, to a quick flying nested pair coupled with a running rabbit triple shot. With each round being a total of 25 shots per person, each station varies from regular clays to “90’s” and “rabbits” which all portray a variety of challenges to satisfy any type of shooting enthusiast.
Trap
Located on a bench above the slender Goose Creek valley, our trap range is one of exceptional beauty. From the slow-paced single shots of a novice to the intense games of “Annie Oakley” offered for more experienced shooters, the adaptability of our trap range is second-to-none. The opportunity for variety abounds with five different shooting pads, which vastly change the trajectory and therefore the challenge of the clay targets. Furthermore, our trap thrower has a horizontal and vertical “wobble” function that will randomly change the angle of throw on two planes for an added challenge.
Equipment
The 4UR Ranch has a nice selection of shotguns for your use while participating in shooting sports. As well we provide protective eyewear, ear plugs, and shell belts.
Archery at the 4UR
The new 4UR Ranch archery program contains 2 separate courses. Both courses can be as challenging or as forgiving as necessary. This allows us to accommodate archers of all skill levels at the ranch. The first course, the range, is set up in a wide-open field where shots can be taken from 10 to 70 yards. Beginners can learn proper technique and form while more advanced archers can test their limits and challenge themselves.
The second course is a 3-D walking course that winds through varying terrain. This course contains life-size big and small game animal targets and is made to simulate a real hunting experience. Each target has a 10-yard shot for the beginner or child and a varying distance shot for the advanced or willing archer. The walking course will considerably improve any archer’s skills. Every shot is different; the size of each “animal” varies, as well as the elevation of the shot. Further, the shot windows vary so strategy and concentration are key.
The ranch uses adjustable compound bows that can fit kids up to adults along with traditional long and recurve bows. The experienced shooter is encouraged to bring his or her own equipment if they should choose. The ranch also carries armguards, shooting gloves and quivers, essential for a successful day on the course.
In our introductory year of the archery program, we found that for a beginner, a day or two at the range followed by a round on the walking course is a rewarding progression. A fair amount of our archers are beginners or haven’t handled a bow since youth summer camp so don’t be intimidated. Our course is run by our own NASP and USA archery instructors that have countless hours in the classroom and in the field. No matter the skill level, they’re always happy to help and share the reward of archery.
Golfing at the Rio Grande Club
5 Weight or 5 Wood? The choice is yours! Want to take a break from fly fishing, horseback riding, and hiking? The Rio Grande Club is just the place to get in a round in the middle of your ranch vacation.
By special arrangement, 4UR Ranch guests have golf privileges at the nearby Rio Grande Club, a spectacular 18-hole championship golf course just a twenty minute drive down the road in South Fork, CO. This first class club has built a reputation as one of the finest championship courses in the southwest and ranked the “6th Best New Golf Course to Open in 2003” by Golf Digest.
The Rio Grande Club enlisted the services of John Eden with Eden Architects out of Phoenix, Arizona to design their multi-purpose clubhouse. The 25,000 square foot clubhouse features a spacious dining room with impressive mountain vista views, a comfortable and cozy lounge, conference and banquet rooms, business center, pro shop, and a spa with men’s & women’s locker rooms.
The Details: This championship golf course features the Rio Grande River, large groves of cottonwoods and spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Elevations range from 8,130 to 8,590 feet and the total length of the fairways is 7,200 yards. The longest par five is a massive 600 yards. Six of the holes meander around the Rio Grande with the river coming into play laterally, as well as crossing. Six holes are in the meadows and provide transition between the Rio Grande and the Mountain holes. The mountain holes are carved into the rock and trees and provide dramatic views with a spectacular finishing hole featuring a several hundred foot elevation drop.
