Upton, WY: A History and Culture of Hunting, Gun Education, and Shooting Competitions

The Upton Gun Club is a community group with an annual small family membership and a public outdoor range. It has a strong membership with members from Weston County and the surrounding Northeastern Wyoming area. The club emphasizes family shooting and especially developing youth shooters. All youth activities can use the range at no charge. Some youth groups that use the range are Wyoming State Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC), Weston County 4-H, Upton Young Guns, Upton Trap Cats, the outdoor education class from Upton High School as well as the Boy Scouts. There is also an indoor 22 caliber range and classroom. The outdoor range has 50 foot , 25 yard, 50 yard, 100 yard, 200 meter, 300 meter ranges. There is also have a trap range and a 5 stand shotgun course. Recently a 3d archery range was added to the outdoor range.

Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC)

 

firearms training certificationThe Wyoming State YHEC has used the Upton Gun Range since 2008. YHEC is open to all youths 18 and younger that have passed hunter education. Participants from all across the state and neighboring states are welcome to participate. This one-day event has grown every year. In the future it might become a 2-day event. Wyoming has sent several participants to Nationals, where Wyoming has won the Sportsmanship Award 3 times.