FAQ

People often refer to sporting clays as “golf with a shotgun.” It consists of shooting five pairs of targets at each of ten stations, totaling 100 clay targets. Target presentations vary between stations. This variety makes sporting clays the most realistic simulation of bird hunting and makes it fun and challenging for both recreational and competitive shooters.

At our sporting club, individuals are not committed to shooting 100 targets. You have the flexibility of shooting as many or as few clay targets as you like and are charged accordingly at the member or non-menber rate per target.

We are an independent, family-owned business focused on providing the best possible shootng experience for our customers and therefore have only the one facility in Bennett, Colorado.

We offer gift certificates that can be issued in any denomination. You have the choice of receiving a paper gift certificate either by mail or pick-up at our clubhouse (please keep in mind this is like cash and will not be replaced if lost, damaged, or stolen), or we can create an in-house credit for the recipient, if they have filled out our digital release form, and email you a printable (nonredeemable) certificate that shows your gift. Gift certificates are not currently available online so must be purchased by phone or in person.

What products do you have for sale?

We have an incredible selection of merchandise available for shooters, including the following:
– Ammo in gauges 12, 16, 20, 28, and .410
– Eye and ear protection
– Clothing: hats, gloves, shirts, jackets, shooting vests, children’s items, etc.
– Shooting accessories: shell pouches, pick-up sticks, gun oil, etc.
– Gift items: playing cards, BalmShot lip balm, mugs, lapel pins, etc.

We offer a selection of soft drinks and prepackaged snacks but are currently not serving meals. You may bring your own food as long as it is ready to eat and prepackaged for individuals. For groups of 20 or more people, catering options are available. Learn more about hosting an event here.

For groups fewer than 20 people, you can bring your own alcohol to be enjoyed when you are done shooting. HOWEVER, only beer and wine are allowed with a limit of 2 drinks per person; no hard liquor. For groups of 20 or more people, please see learn about hosting an event. Consumption of alcohol prior to or during any shooting activities is strictly prohibited.

Our sporting clays course has a recycled asphalt trail that is wheelchair accessible. Many stations have level entry into the shooting cage; please request guidance for shooting at other stations from a wheelchair.

The Clubhouse and Pavilion are wheelchair accessible. The Retreat is not.

Hunts are not accessible by wheelchair.

Yes! Our gorgeous event pavilion is the perfect venue for weddings. Please visit the Cottonwood Glen website for information.

No. Membership runs for one year from the day you join.

You may call or come in to the clubhouse to start or renew your membership; we just need to have a current waiver on file. We suggest you start your membership on the day you will start using your benefits since membership runs for one year from the day you join.

We do not auto-renew memberships. Instead, we will send you an invoice roughly 30-60 days before your membership expires. If you wish to renew, you can do so anytime you come to the clubhouse, or you may call to renew your membership over the phone with a credit card.

There is no membership card. We simply keep track of your membership in our system. We will confirm the status of your membership each time you use your benefits.

No! We never have a waiting list for membership.

Member rates extend to guests for their first 3 visits with any member (this is lifetime, not per year). This gives them the opportunity to see if they might be interested in having their own membership. After those 3 visits, they can decide whether to purchase their own membership or pay non-member rates for future visits.

We hold the following Fun Shoots each year:

Sweetheart Shoot (for Valentine’s Day)

Spring Eggstravaganza (for Easter)

Freedom Fun Shoot (for 4th of July)

Shoot-for-Loot (for Halloween)

Feastival (for Thanksgiving)

Dates vary each year, so check our Calendar!

Please email us at events@kiowacreek.com with your desired date, number of guests, and intended use. We will then follow up with you and prepare a contract. Your event is reserved once we receive your signed contract and $250 deposit.

Rental of the Retreat is $500 for full-day use of the space (up to 8 hours), and features the following:

• Bar and counter seating
• Convertible billiard to conference table
• 75″ flat screen smart tv
• Guest wi-fi
• Covered deck with lounge furniture
• Seating for up to 25 people
• Coffee upon request
• Catering options available for groups over 20
• Set-up and tear-down
• Optional A/V Package, including a screen and projector, microphone, and podium for an additional $100.00 rental fee.

You are welcome to use The Retreat for whatever portion of the business day you wish, though the rental fee remains the same.

The $250 deposit is non-refundable if you cancel or reschedule within 30 days of your event.

For groups of 25 or more, catering must be arranged through Kiowa Creek event staff and our local catering partners. For groups of fewer than 25, you may arrange your own catering provided all meals arrive pre-packaged.

Generally the Retreat is idea for groups of up to 25, though the comfortable maximum can depend on its use. Please discuss your needs with us if you expect over 20 people.

There is no member discount on the rental fee, but because you are shooting on a group tab, you and your guests receive member rates on targets.

The Retreat is available during regular business hours of Tuesday – Sunday  8:00am – 5:00pm. If you are interested in after-hours use, please contact info@cottonwoodglen.events.

The NSCA is the National Sporting Clays Association. This association records members’ scores in competition, registers competitive shoots, holds a national championship each year, provides a myriad of achievement awards, and promotes the sport of sporting clays.

The CSCA is the Colorado Sporting Clays Association. Please visit their website for information on membership and upcoming tournaments.

An NSCA event is a nationally recognized competition shoot in which scores and number of targets shot count toward shooter ranking with NSCA and CSCA.

We typically host three main NSCA shoots a year in April, June, and August. All three of them have the main, two of them include FITASC and the other one includes 5-stand. We also host a 626 shoot in May. Find upcoming shoot dates on our Calendar.

Sign-up through scorechaser.com, unless otherwise posted.

FITASC is an international form of sporting clays (part of the ‘Federation Internationale de Tir Aux Sportives de Chasse’ based in France) in which shooters fire from three “pegs,” or shooting locations. A combination of singles and pairs is thrown at each peg for a game total of 25 targets for the course, called a “parcour.” The shooter cannot shoulder the gun until the target is visible. FITASC is a refereed competition.

No, you can choose to shoot either the main, the FITASC, or both.

Payment through Score Chaser is required for FITASC and optional for other events.

We handle squadding for the majority of NSCA shoots, so you can either note your preferences when registering or give us a call at 303-644-4627 to request people to be in your squad. For the 626, you will have to reach out to Score Chaser directly as they handle squadding.

It stands for 600 rounds, 2 days, 6 clubs. This is a multi-day tournament where, each day, you shoot at 3 clubs, 100 rounds at each club. Your totals from all clubs are added up at the end of the tournament. It’s a great way to get a lot of rounds and punches under your belt. You can choose to shoot in the entire 626 for a shot at winning prize money, or you can pick and choose which clubs you would like to shoot at for fun!

Please allow at least a week for results and payouts to show up through Score Chaser. We have this delay to allow time for individuals to report they have mistakenly shot in the wrong class. In this way we can avoid errors in results and payouts.

Register online! When you register, you will be asked to fill in the names of your squad members, so please be prepared with those. Make sure they know you are signing them up. This helps prevent duplicate entries and no-shows.

Call 303-644-4627. Please give us at least 48 hours notice so we can adjust squadding.

Yes, for most fun shoots, lunch will be available for purchase. You can buy lunch tickets the day of. See our home page for more information about the event, including pricing.

Call 303.644.4627 to reserve a golf cart. Please note we only have 4 carts available to rent and they go extremely quickly for Fun Shoot days, so you may have to be placed on a waitlist if you don’t call far enough in advance. You are more than welcome to bring your own golf cart if you would prefer.

ASAP! The more notice you give us, the more likely you are to secure your desired date. Many groups are recurring and therefore are booking a year ahead. Conversely, we don’t recommend booking inside 30 days as most events need at least that much time to get coordinated.

Our course can accommodate up to 300 shooters at a single event, while the Pavilion can seat up to 350 people.

Please email us at events@kiowacreek.com for our pricing packet.

We utilize our Clubhouse back patio for groups under 100 people and our Pavilion for groups of 100+. We do also offer a private meeting room, The Retreat, for groups/events of 25 people or less. The Pavilion can also be rented for groups under 100 people for a minimum fee.

We need your estimated shooter count and organizer contact info to make a contract. Then the signed contract and designated deposit are required to secure your date/event.

The minimum deposit is $500, but it varies based on the size and needs of your event. This a non-refundable deposit if canceled within 30-days of your event but does apply to the final balance day of.

Payment in full is due the day of your event. Leading up to your event, you just owe the deposit. Much of the final cost is dependent on your final shooter count and the lunch you choose.

To ensure consistency on our end, we ask that groups with a committee designate a single individual as the main point of contact. They are welcome to share all info with any others involved.

All of our corporate groups are required to choose a lunch option through one of our caterers that we work with on their behalf, if they would like to have lunch. Lunch options and pricing are included in our General Group Info – just complete the event inquiry form or email us at events@kiowacreek.com to obtain this packet.

Most event organizers designate a contact phone number and email where participants can reach them directly. Kiowa Creek staff does not directly handle registration for your event, but we’re happy to provide tips and tricks to make the process easier!

Yes! In fact, this is highly recommended to help speed up their check-in process. Click HERE for a direct link to the waiver that can be sent via email ahead of your event!

Yes! We have a fleet of 12 gauge and 20 gauge Beretta shotguns to rent for $25/gun and they can be shared between 2-3 people in a single group. We do STRONGLY recommend participants call ahead to reserve if certain they will be needed as they generally go fast at many of our events. 303.644.4627

In most cases we are able to provide ammo for your event. If you anticipate needing ammo, be sure to reach out early and often as availability and pricing is subject to change. You may provide your own ammo for your group if you wish. Please inform your participants of whether or not they should expect you to provide ammo or purchase their own.

Yes! They’re 4-seater carts and rent for $25/cart. You should plan to reserve these ahead of time as we just have four and they go fast on a nice day. Call us to reserve: 303.644.4627

Please call us directly to discuss this as it depends on the size of your event. We generally make this final call about 14-days ahead of your event so the stations utilized can more closely match the estimated number of shooters.

All food for events must be arranged through Kiowa Creek event staff and our local catering partners. Outside catering is not allowed at this time.

Yes! Call Peak Beverage at 720-722-1140. All alcohol must be arranged through Peak beverage, for liability reasons.

We do recommend having helpers for events of 50 or more as it is generally helpful. If you have a group of 100 or more, we do require a volunteer for each station used to help with the flow of your event. Feel free to call us with any questions about this! 303-644-4627

This is entirely up to you! Every group does it differently but many award 1st-3rd place and last place. Some also break their scoring into what’s called “Lewis Class” where the scores are broken into three (or more) classes (total number of scores broken into thirds). If you have a wide range of ability in your group, this is a fun way to spread out prizes to more of your group.

Absolutely! If you are hosting an event that benefits a charity or is a fundraiser that is also open to the public for signups, please feel free to send us your flier or event info. We are happy to send it via email to our 18,000+ email subscribers! If you wish, we can also show your event on our website calendar and provide a link to registration.

We sell eye protection ($8) and ear protection ($.50), but many of our groups choose to either provide it themselves or have a sponsor provide it as part of their sponsorship. Groups are always welcome to purchase it through us; we just ask for advance notice so we can be sure to have enough on hand for your event.

We are generally a “rain or shine” event place with the exception of severe weather (HEAVY rain or snow). We communicate directly with you if weather becomes an issue, and you are always welcome to reach out to us if you are concerned about the forecast for your event day.

Please be prepared to answer the following questions:

• What date/time are you interested in?
• Are you wanting to shoot the main course or reserve the 5-stand? For information about 5-stand, click here.
• Who is the primary contact and what is their contact information?
• Are you planning on having lunch here? Please note that we do not serve lunch, but you are more than welcome to bring your own pre-packaged meals.
• Are there any members in your group?
• Is the tab being paid as a group or by individuals?
• Will you need to purchase ammo from us? 12ga or 20ga?
• Will you need any rental gun or golf cart reservations?

Ready to book? Complete our inquiry form!

Please contact us at least 48 hours in advance if your event is cancelled. If you have reserved the 5-stand with a deposit, your deposit will be transferred to a rescheduled date with at least 14 days’ notice. If you cancel your 5-stand reservation or reschedule within the 14 days, the deposit is forfeited.

If a member is present, member rates are extended to all participants of a small group if the total is paid on a group tab. Otherwise, regular member and non-member rates apply according to each individual.

We suggest contacting us at least 14 days ahead, though during our busy event season (April through October), we advise contacting us as far in advance as possible.

Shoot time varies based on the number of shooters per squad and how fast a group shoots, but plan to spend two to three hours shooting. Additionally, allow for 30 minutes between the time you ask your participants to arrive and the time you wish to begin shooting.

Our vendors do not cater for groups smaller than 25. However, you are welcome to bring your own prepackaged meals for your participants. Please check with us when you make your reservation so we can make sure we have dining space available.

Hunts utilize a 100-acre field and are 3 hours long with up to 5 hunters per field, with each person having a 5-bird minimum. The dog training field is a 35-acre field that is booked for 2 hours with a 5-bird minimum total and allows a maximum of 2 guns in the field. Hunts require a guide; the dog training field does not.

You must be a member of Kiowa Creek Sporting Club.

Proof of hunter safety is required for anyone carrying a gun in the shooting field. Please see the hunter safety section of our Hunting FAQ for more information.

Every person in the field must wear a blaze orange hat as a minimum.

Shot size can be no larger than 6 (6 and 7.5 are okay; 5 is too big). No magnum or high brass loads are allowed. (Max 1-1/8 oz. load, 2-3/4” shell, 3-1/4 dram.)

Please contact us at least 24 hours in advance if you will not be able to make your training field appointment.

Yes. Field availability varies, so please book with as much advance notice as possible.

Proof of hunter safety is required. Hunters must bring proof if we do not have it recorded ahead of time. See additional FAQs for more information about hunter safety.

A hunting license is NOT required to hunt at Kiowa Creek. You are covered by our commercial game park license.

You must wear a blaze orange hat as a minimum.

Shot size can be no larger than 6 (6 and 7.5 are okay; 5 is too big). No magnum or high brass loads are allowed. Maximums are 1-1/8 oz. load, 2-3/4” shell, 3-1/4 dram. Steel or lead shot is permitted.

All gratuities for the guide must be in cash. We cannot put a guide’s tip on a credit card, and we have no ATM.

We require a $100 nonrefundable deposit* at time of booking and have a 72-hour cancellation policy*. If you reschedule your hunt with more than 72 hours advance notice, we will transfer the deposit to the new date. If you reschedule or cancel your hunt with less than 72 hours advance notice, you will be charged an additional $150 per hunter. If you cancel anytime after close of business the day before your hunt, you will be charged the full balance of the hunt. *Holiday bookings have additional requirements.

Proof may be either a hunter safety card from any state or a current or expired hunting license from any state with the hunter safety number clearly identified on it. For Colorado, this number is located in the upper section of a game license after the word “FIREARM.” It is not the CID number. A hunter safety number is usually not on a fishing license. Please note we must see one of these official documents and cannot accept a hunter safety number on its own.

Hunter safety is not required for Colorado residents born prior to January 1, 1949. Please provide identification showing your date of birth to use this exemption. Hunter safety is otherwise virtually always required. If you have any questions, please call 303-644-4627 to discuss your circumstances.

Talk to the wildlife division of the state that issued your original hunter safety card to request a re-issued card. If your hunter education course was taken in Colorado, visit https://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/HE-CardReplacement.aspx.

If time is short, you may choose to purchase a Colorado small game license as this will only be issued if your hunter safety has been verified by the state.

You may make changes to your bird selection/count and number of hunters up to and including the day before your hunt. You may substitute hunters on the day of your hunt as long as all hunters provide us with the required proof of hunter safety.

When cancelling or rescheduling a hunt, please keep the following in mind.

• A non-refundable deposit of $100 is required at time of booking.
• We have a 72-Hour Cancellation Policy:
  • If you reschedule your hunt with more than 72 hours advance notice, we will transfer the deposit to the new date.
  • If you reschedule or cancel your hunt with less than 72 hours advance notice, you will be charged an additional $150 per hunter.
  • If you cancel anytime after close of business the day before your hunt, you will be charged the full balance of the hunt.
• Holiday booking exceptions: Hunts booked the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s require a $250 non-refundable deposit at time of booking, and the cancellation policy is extended from 72 hours to one week.

Call 303-644-4627 if you need to cancel or reschedule. If we do not answer, leave a voicemail as this will date and time stamp your call. Please do not reschedule or cancel via email.

All hunts, without exception, are guided to ensure everyone’s safety. All our guides are experienced professionals and provide first-class hunting dogs for use during your hunt. You may also request a particular guide for your hunt, and we will do our best to get that guide for you though we cannot guarantee availability. Please let us know if you will accept another guide or would prefer to reschedule.

We have four hunt fields that are each roughly 100 acres – two along the creek bed, one with a draw, and one that has flatter, more accessible terrain. All fields have native cover and planted cover.

There is no age requirement for children hunting, but they must also have proof of hunter safety and be listed on a guardian’s release. Any children (and adults) who do not have a hunter safety card may still walk along on a hunt with the understanding that they must be able to walk with the group through the end of the hunt and follow the guide’s instructions. They must also wear blaze orange. Please consider carefully whether it is appropriate to bring any children.

We are currently not serving lunch but do have coffee, soft drinks, and snacks available. You are welcome to bring your own food to enjoy outside or in our great room as long as all food is already prepared and packaged in individual servings.

We hunt regardless of weather; in fact, cold weather may improve your hunt! In the case of extreme weather causing cancellation, we will call you early the morning of the hunt to notify you. Please note this is rare—we hunt in snow and normally only cancel if conditions are so severe that roads are closed and you would not be able to get to our facility. If you are concerned about conditions, please keep an eye on the forecast and keep our cancellation policy in mind.

A blaze orange hat is required as a minimum. Beyond that, we encourage you to check the weather forecast and bring appropriate clothing, footwear, and gloves, including extra layers that may be changed as conditions fluctuate.

Five-stand is a sporting clays game in which shooters rotate between 5 stands positioned adjacent to one another on a compact course, taking 5 shots at each stand. Clay targets are released from 8 machines according to sequence menus posted at each stand. The game consists of 25 shots. It is an entertaining, fast-moving game that allows for maximum interaction between shooters and is ideal for groups of 5 to 15 people. Targets are priced the same as for sporting clays.

We have a 25-station sporting clays course and a 5-stand course but do not have trap or skeet shooting.

For a group of 4 shooters, plan to spend about 2 to 3 hours on our sporting clays course, and allow some extra time to check in and check out in our clubhouse. Actual shoot time will vary based on the number of shooters per squad, how fast a group shoots, and the number of shots taken.

Our hours are 8am to 5pm Tuesday through Sunday. You must be finished shooting and back up to the clubhouse before 5pm.

Hours vary for major holidays. See our Calendar page for these changes.

April through October is our event season, so please check course availability on our Calendar, which shows which stations are available each day for the coming weeks, or call 303-644-4627. Availability is subject to change, so check back for the latest information.

Weather conditions also may affect course availability. The outdoor temperature must be at least 20 degrees, and we cannot throw targets if there is heavy rain or snow. After snowfall, there will usually be some delay in the course reopening due to necessary clearing of ice and snow. Check for delay and closure alerts at the top of our website, and feel free to call for course conditions.

Weather conditions may affect course availability. The outdoor temperature must be at least 20 degrees, and we cannot throw targets if there is heavy rain or snow. After snowfall, there will usually be some delay in the course reopening due to necessary clearing of ice and snow. Check for delay and closure alerts at the top of our website, and feel free to call for course conditions.

We do not currently take reservations for small groups of recreational shooters. However, if you would like to rent a shotgun or golf cart, we strongly recommend calling ahead for those. For groups of 10 or more, please see our Venue page.

We welcome you to bring your children with you to enjoy the day! Children on the course must be accompanied by an adult. Each child must be listed on an adult’s release form and must be able to keep eye and ear protection on at all times and follow all safety requirements.

Dogs are allowed on the course but must be kept on a leash at all times.

Shotgun rentals are $25. We will make a copy of your driver’s license and hold a credit card while you have the shotgun. We must hold the card of the person using the gun, regardless of who pays.

Please reserve shotguns in advance to ensure availability.

All shotguns are Beretta Silver Pigeon over-unders. We have twelve 12-gauge and three 20-gauge rentals. Barrel lengths are 26” for 20-gauge guns and 26” or 28” for 12-gauge guns. Chokes are improved cylinder for the bottom barrel and modified for the top barrel.

We do not have any specifically youth or left-handed guns.

Many of our rental guns do not have beads. In sporting clays, a shooter is usually most successful when keeping both eyes open and on the moving target.

Golf cart rentals are $25. If you would like to rent a cart, please call ahead to reserve to ensure availability, but golf carts are not required. Our main course is an easily walkable one-quarter mile in length, though some folks prefer to use a cart to carry their ammo or because of mobility issues.

Golf carts fit 4 people. All carts must stay on the pathway, and only licensed drivers may drive a cart.

Yes, but any gun racks must be vertical. All golf cars and ATVs must stay on the pathway.

No, we do not rent or sell push carts.

No, we provide all targets. Our automated throwers are preloaded for your visit.

Shotgun ammo is available for sale in limited quantities. We sell 12, 16, 20, 28, and .410-gauge ammo.

You may bring your own ammo. Maximum shot size is 7-1/2 for sporting clays, 6 for hunts. Other maximums are 1-1/8 oz, 2-3/4 inch, 3-1/4 dram. No magnum or high brass is allowed. (If high brass meets all the other requirements above, it is okay.)

You must be able to shoulder the stock.

Minimum barrel length is 18”.

No shotguns larger than 12-gauge are permitted (no 10-gauge); 12, 16, 20, 28, and .410 are okay.

If the shotgun has a magazine, you may only load 2 shells at a time.

We do not have leagues, but we have several options for organized shooting.

• Our holiday-themed fun shoots are held throughout the year and can be enjoyed by the whole family.
• We have a ladies group that meets regularly for various shooting activities at our club.
• Many of our corporate events are fundraisers that are open to the public.
• We also host several registered NSCA tournaments each year for competitive shooters.

You can find more information about these events on our Club Shoots page.

An NSCA event is a nationally recognized competition shoot in which scores and number of targets shot count toward shooter ranking with NSCA and CSCA.

The NSCA is the National Sporting Clays Association. This association records members’ scores in competition, registers competitive shoots, holds a national championship each year, provides a myriad of achievement awards, and promotes the sport of sporting clays.

The CSCA is the Colorado Chapter of the NSCA. Please visit their website for information on membership and upcoming tournaments.

We do not currently have an onsite gunsmith. Homeland Gunsmithing is located near Kiowa Creek Sporting Club. Visit Homeland Gunsmithing for more information.

No, we do not have a gun vault.

No, we do not currently do gun transfers.

When you make your reservation, you will be asked whether you wish to set your own birds or have someone set them for you. If we set your birds, we can set all or some of them (per your preference) at the beginning of your session. We are glad to show you how to set birds yourself so that you can stagger their release, as we do not accompany you and do not return to your training session. If you are new to the training field, our staff will show you the boundaries of the field, for your reference.

You may request a field, but we cannot guarantee your request as field designations are determined just before the hunts begin based on a number of factors.

We charge for the birds that are planted in the field, regardless of how many birds are shot. Any additional birds in the field that you shoot are considered bonus birds, and there is no charge for them.

Yes, you may bring your own dog. Please note that guide and dog are included in all hunts, and the prices do not change if you choose not to use the guide’s dog. Your dog must stay under your control and within your field.

It is customary to tip guides for service you appreciate. You may consider tipping on a percentage basis (typically starting at 15-20%) or per hunter (we suggest $25 per gun as a starting point). Please tip as you feel comfortable, according to your level of satisfaction. All tips must be in cash as we cannot put gratuity on a credit card and do not have an ATM.

We have a fully stocked cleaning station. You are welcome to clean your own birds or have the guide clean them for you at an extra per-bird charge. We do not pluck birds.

Contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife for information: https://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/HunterEducation.aspx

You may have up to two guns in the shooting field. You can also bring someone to walk along, or you may choose to have someone else shoot while you handle your dog. Everyone shooting must have hunter safety, and everyone in the field must wear blaze orange.

Please remember to bring water for your dog. Bring any desired training aids, such as check cords, e-collars, or whistles. You may also bring your own bird launchers and starter pistols for use in either field. No shotguns are allowed in the non-shooting field.

No. We only allow birds purchased from Kiowa Creek Sporting Club to be released on our property.

Kiowa Creek does not board and train dogs directly; however, we do have an onsite professional who provides these services. Please contact Dennis Vanin at 303-243-2524 or visit Team Gundogs.