Ranch News

The drive-in movie theater (named the Big Spud, of course) near Driggs, Idaho (Yes, there still are such things that are more relevant now than ever) has a sign out front that says, "Thank you for a great summer."

The team at Lazy Triple Creek Ranch can say the same. Thank you. We concluded Shotgun Saturdays this past weekend and are launching our upland bird hunting season this week which thanks to those who love the hunting and shooting sports has us practically sold out for the 2021 season.

So are we sold out or not? The answer depends on who you ask. Ask Steve, our Ranch Manager, and he will say we definitely are sold out for the 2021 season. Ask me and I will say we can always accommodate a few more. In a moment I will tell you what might be available for anyone who wants to shoot in 2021. I will admit that as usual Steve's position is closer to reality than mine. Interest and participation in the shooting sports at the ranch this year have been off the charts.

We reached the end of the Summer clays season with shooters on our trap, skeet, grouse butt, crazy quail, Five Stand, and 14 station Sporting Clays course every Saturday since we opened June 1. Particularly good to see have been families shooting together. One young man, all of 15, brought both grandfathers and his father two weekends ago. Those are memories that will last several lifetimes. I'm envious. Both my grandfathers had passed away before I was born. Families shooting together makes families stronger and our nation stronger.

We have a winner. Several winners actually. John Hurst is Top Gun 2021 with a score of 90. Cindy Gee is Top Gun 2021 on the women's side with a score of 66.

Congratulations to two very fine shooters.

John and Cindy each win three free Shotgun Saturdays next year. Runner-ups Danny Dannell and Gwen Garcia each win two free half-days. One free half-day goes to Russ Gee and Susan Hancock for being closest to the mean score posted for men and for women. Congratulations all. To everyone else who shot our clays courses with us this season, "There's always next year."

If you want to shoot with one of our instructors during the week let me know. Don't ask Steve. He will tell you we are sold out this year.

Book any of the very few Tuesdays through Fridays open through the end of the year, and shoot with one of our instructors. Minimum two, maximum four. $390 per person for the half-day with an instructor. We supply loaner shotguns if needed, shells, snacks, and lunch for four or more. Arrive by 9 am.

Our signature events, European-style driven shooting with Western sensibilities, are scheduled every weekend from this weekend through mid-October. That's all the driven shoots we plan to run this season. All pegs are sold out except possibly for two pegs on October 1. I will need to ask Steve if we can accommodate two more. Come shoot upland birds the way the sport originated in Spain, England, and Scotland only in the USA at Lazy Triple Creek Ranch.

Arrive at 9 am for a welcome and safety briefing with coffee and pastries. Four drives at two locations, elevenses, two drives at a third location, lunch, walkup hunting with a guide and well-trained dog for every two guns in the afternoon. End the day tired but happy with cocktails and conversation on the deck. We supply loaner shotguns if needed, all shells, guides and dogs, snacks, lunch, cocktails on the deck, and birds vacuum sealed for your departure. No bird limits for $2,900 per gun. European shooting attire is encouraged but not mandatory. No need to travel to Europe for top-level European-style driven shooting.

With this number of driven shoots in September and early October, walkup bird hunting will present hunters with plenty of shooting opportunities any Tuesday through Saturday we are not running driven shoots.

All days are already sold out except for a really outstanding opportunity on Saturday, October 2, the day after a driven shoot which means there will be lots of birds in the fields. We have room for four guns that day if Steve lets me book that day. We also have an opening for one gun on October 5 and that's all for the season.

Arrive at 9 am for a welcome and safety briefing on the deck, warm up with clays, followed by walkup hunting with a guide and well-trained dog for every two hunters. We supply loaner shotguns if needed, guides and dogs, shells, snacks, lunch for four or more, and birds vacuum packed for your departure. $690 per gun. No bird limits this year.

Upland bird hunting opportunities sold out this year mainly because of the very high demand for shooting opportunities this crazy year, and the odd fact that we value the private, exclusive nature of the ranch over commercial success. That will not change in 2022. If you would like to shoot at Lazy Triple Creek Ranch in 2022, book now for next year. A 30% deposit will hold your reservation. If plans change, we will apply your deposit to another available date.

The Delta variant is burning through not only the unvaccinated population but also many of the vaccinated. The risks while outdoors for the vaccinated are low, but we are maintaining our risk reduction protocols.

All staff members are fully vaccinated. If you are feeling unwell, please stay home. We are as serious about your health and safety as we are about firearms and safety.

Anyone not vaccinated should get vaccinated, maintain physical separation from others, stay outdoors as much as possible, and wear a mask while indoors.

The Lodge is open for overnight stays with appropriate Covid-19 risk reduction measures in place. Four groups of four to nine are booked to stay in the Lodge for three to four nights this fall and frankly, that's all the business we want this year. Odd way to run a business I know but it preserves the private exclusive nature of a very special place.

Our best-kept secret this year has been our new private chef, Graham. Some come to shoot. Some come for the gourmet meals. Well done, Graham.

The Lodge is a magical place both during and at the end of the day. Here's proof:

The sunset ends the day and this week's report.

Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay shooting.

The Team at Lazy Triple Creek Ranch