NRA Whittington Center

10/21/2026

Thank you to Luth-AR and Stark's Metal Works for the new White Buffalo! You can find the Whittington Buffalo at the High Power R***e Silhouette Range at 1,123 Yards!

Luth-AR and Starks Metal Works of Menomonie, Wisconsin teamed-up to donate a new AR550 hardened steel White Buffalo target to the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, NM.

The 10-foot-wide target sits 1,123 yards downrange for guests and members to attempt their success. Those that succeed have the opportunity to purchase T-shirts, hats, beverage containers and more to memorialize and to brag about shooting the Steel Buffalo at long range.

The historic old Buffalo has been turned out to pasture after decades of thousands of high caliber dings and dongs.

The new White Buffalo is dedicated to Mike Benecke, a devoted NRA-ILA fundraiser who passed away in 2021.

Luth-AR and Stark's Metal Works donated the material, labor and freight to bring the new White Buffalo to the NRA Whittington Center.

10/08/2026

Got a donor-advised fund? A grant recommendation to the NRA Whittington Center is a simple way to put those charitable dollars to work, and it takes only a few minutes.

Your DAF sponsor will ask for:

NRA Whittington Center
PO Box 700
Raton, NM 87740
Tax ID: 23-7367534

Here's what your grant makes possible:
• Well-maintained ranges and facilities for shooters, hunters, and families
• Training and education that prepare the next generation to be safe, skilled, and responsible
• Care for the land and wildlife that make the Center special

Don't have a DAF yet? We'd be glad to walk you through how they work. Reach out to our Advancement Officer, Nathan Brown, at [email protected].

Give today and help keep the Center strong for generations to come.

10/07/2026

Some mornings are worth waking up early for!

Sunrise over the Founder Cabins at the NRA Whittington Center. Where quiet mornings, wide-open country, and views like this are all part of the experience.

There’s just something different about starting your day at Whittington.

10/03/2026

10/02/2026

October 8 is , a nationwide moment for donor-advised fund holders to turn their charitable dollars into real-world impact.

If you have a DAF, we hope you'll think of the NRA Whittington Center. A grant from your fund helps us care for a one-of-a-kind place where shooters, hunters, and families come to learn, train, and enjoy the outdoors.

When you give today, you help keep the Center strong, welcoming, and ready for the next generation of shooting sports enthusiasts.
Ready to recommend a grant? Visit your DAF account and use this to support us:

NRA Whittington Center
PO Box 700
Raton, NM 87740
Tax ID: 23-7367534

Simple to do and lasting in its impact. Don’t have a DAF? Learn More at https://nraplannedgiving.org/how-to-give/donor-advised-fund.html

10/01/2026

Family, friends, and members of the Whittington Center community are invited to join us as we celebrate the life and legacy of Mike Ballew.

Saturday, October 10 | 2:00 PM
NRA Whittington Center – Sh***un Center Cafeteria

Mike dedicated 40 years of service to the NRA Whittington Center, and his influence can still be felt throughout this special place. We hope you will join us to remember Mike, share stories, and celebrate the lasting impact he made on so many.

In lieu of flowers, Mike’s family has requested that memorial donations be made to the NRA Whittington Center Youth Adventure Camp, a program Mike created and one that remains an important part of his legacy.

For those wishing to make a donation in Mike’s memory, please contact the NRA Whittington Center at 575-445-3615 and ask for Eric Whaley.

We look forward to gathering together to honor and remember Mike.

09/23/2026

The NRA Whittington Center is saddened by the passing of Mike Ballew, whose 40 years of dedicated service helped shape the Whittington Center into the place it is today.

Mike didn’t simply have a vision for the Whittington Center—he helped build it. Cabin by cabin. Trail by trail. Range by range. Vision by vision.

Among his many contributions, one of his greatest was the creation of the Youth Adventure Camp. Mike believed in investing in the next generation and creating opportunities for young people to experience leadership, patriotism, marksmanship, and the outdoors. That vision continues today and will impact generations to come.

Mike was a boots-on-the-ground kind of leader who believed in hard work, relationships, and getting things done. His influence can be seen throughout the ranges, facilities, programs, and people who make the Whittington Center what it is today.

Mike will be deeply missed, but the legacy he built here will continue.

Thank you, Mike, for 40 years of service and for helping build a legacy worth preserving.

09/14/2026

Where the deer still roam and the mountains meet the sky.

The NRA Whittington Center is more than a destination. It’s a place where wildlife, history, adventure, and the spirit of the American West come together.

09/12/2026

Imagine waking up to a cool, quiet mountain morning…

You step outside your camper, coffee in hand, and catch sight of a deer moving quietly through the trees. The sun begins to rise over the mountains, and for a moment, everything is still.

Then you realize, you are standing on the same land traveled by those making their way along the Santa Fe Trail nearly 200 years ago.

Camping at the NRA Whittington Center is more than a place to park your RV or pitch a tent. It’s wide-open country, incredible wildlife, dark night skies, mountain views, and a chance to experience a little piece of the American West.

Come stay awhile. Experience the history. Enjoy the quiet. And see why there’s nowhere quite like Whittington.