The Fort Halleck Volunteers is a Cowboy Action shooting club organized in 2008.  Located in Elko County, Nevada, the club and range are named after and constructed on a portion of old Fort Halleck, a U.S. Army post established in July 1867.

     The fort at the foot of the East Humboldt mountain range in historic north eastern Nevada was home to Company I 1st U.S. Cavalry, and Company G 8th U.S. Infantry. The Army was tasked with the protection of west bound immigrants on the California Trail, and later

settlers and workers on the transcontinental railroad.  It was at one time the most expensive military post in U.S. history.  Named after Lt. General Henry Wager Halleck one time General-in-Chief of the U.S. Army under President Abraham Lincoln, Fort Halleck became a center of activity for surrounding communities.  Due to its lack of strategic importance however, the Fort was closed and abandoned in October 1886.

 
    A portion of the Fort property is now owned by the equally historic 71 Ranch.  Started in 1877, 71 Ranch is credited with being the first ranch in Nevada to import purebred Hereford cattle from England, and has remained a vital and productive part of Elko County history.  The main ranch house built in the late 1800’s looks much the same today as in this early photo.  Today 71 Ranch is owned by Ellison Ranching Company, a North Eastern Nevada icon with a rich colorful history of its own.

     The 71 Ranch is a working cattle ranch operating 38,000 deeded acres in the Halleck Basin at the foot of the Ruby Mountains.  The owners have also incorporated a “guest ranch” theme into their operation, offering guests the opportunity to experience the true old west ranch lifestyle.
 

     The Fort Halleck Volunteers in partnership with the 71 Ranch has constructed a Cowboy Action shooting range on a portion of the old Fort Halleck reservation. The range set with a backdrop of the beautiful and rugged east Humboldt range at an elevation of 6200 feet, overlooks the Fort Halleck site, and the whole of the Halleck basin.  Elko mountain and the Spring Creek area are visible to the south west.

     Shooters are offered a unique and wholly enjoyable shooting experience that will never be forgotten.  Visitors may stay at the 71 Ranch in the big house or one of the tastefully remodeled ranch out buildings.  Limited RV hookups are also available. Meal time fare is second to none, prepared by the ranch cook.  Dry camping is also available at the range for the RV’er at a modest fee.   And for those townies that prefer hotels, motels, resturants, shopping and entertainment Elko is a short drive   (36 miles) from the range. First class accommodations are readily available.  For more information go to www.71-ranch.com or  www.elkonevada.com 

     The Fort Halleck Volunteers are a non-profit Cowboy Action shooting club dedicated to the preservation of shooting sports and the history of the old west.  We are a S.A.S.S. (Single Action Shooting Society) sanctioned club #821.  All S.A.S.S. rules are adhered to. Staged main match competitions and side matches including a full sized buffalo at 770 yards are available to the shooter.

     Our 2009 shooting schedule will commence as soon as the retreat of the snow allows.  We will post information on this site as to the new shooting schedule.  We anticipate two shoots each month on the second and fourth Saturdays. The Friday before each shoot will be a work day, and club members are encouraged to lend a hand. Wells Willy and Greensprings Thomsen will be dry camping at the range the Friday night before the shoot whenever possible.  Any questions may be directed to them.