Best of the West Hunter
Match Director
Welcome to the 2026 Best of the West Hunter.
We’re excited to host another fun and memorable event for hunters and marksmen alike! This year’s match is designed for enjoyment, skill-building, and friendly competition.
RULES & SAFETY
All safety procedures will follow the official NRL Hunter Rules set for the 2026 season. It is the hunters' responsibility to know the NRL Hunter Rules and Regulations prior to a competition.
MATCH DESIGN
Competitors will have 20 simulated hunting stages, with the round count of 80-160, depending on a first round impact or a second round impact, bring extra ammo for power factor, verifying zero and truing targets.
You will have a 500 yard walk from the parking area to stage 1 or 20. From stage 1 all the way around a horseshoe shaped course of fire to stage 20 will be a 1 mile light hike. The distance between stages is 50 to 100 yards. Officials will have a SxS available to those that may need a ride due to physical limitations.
The range will be within a large horseshoe bend of Buck creek, giving us a 360∘ course of fire. Terrain is rolling, rocky bluffs, tall-grass hills, wooded draws, open valleys, and creek bottoms.
You’ll encounter 100% life-sized AR500 steel animal targets, including wolf, bighorn sheep, moose, black bear, whitetail deer, hog, coyote, mountain lion, bobcat, turkey, elk, antelope, mule deer, otter, raccoon, rock chuck, squirrel, crow, prairie dog, and jackrabbit. Each target will be placed in realistic environments.
Eastern course of fire, will be highly visible target arrays to help with morning acquisition.
Manageable distances and realistic target sizes.
Stages designed for plenty of hits and low stress.
A few challenging targets to separate top competitors.
Average target distance will be around 400 yards. All targets ranging from 200 to 900 yards.
This event is skills-shooter friendly. Limit of 20 skills shooters, each will be paired with a Pro, for effective match training. Skills shooters WILL NOT be lumped into a group.
ATV/UTV are not necessary for this match.
WEATHER
The average high temperature for Bartlesville, Oklahoma, around March 7th is approximately 61−63∘F, with average lows around 36−39∘F. This is part of the transition to spring, with increasing daily temperatures and a higher chance of wind and rain during the month. Please come prepared for everything Mother Nature could throw at us.
REFUND POLICY
No refunds will be available. If you can’t attend and need to sell your slot, please let us know so we can coordinate the adjustment.
PROMOTIONS
Young Guns are limited to 20 competitors and will compete at no charge with a paid regular priced parent or guardian, please email MD at Bruce@BestoftheWestOutfitters.com to register. I will email you a complimentary Registration link to complete your Young Gun entry.
Best of the West Outfitters will once again make a 100% donation of a Wyoming Big or Trophy game hunt. Every competitor will be entered into a drawing for the chance to win this hunt.
RANGE OFFICERS - FULL - Thank you!
We’re grateful for our Range Officers and want to reward their efforts. Qualified individuals will receive a complimentary match slot and the chance to complete all stages in a 1-day time frame (RO Shoot Day). Earn points and prize eligibility just like regular competitors. The RO shoot will take place on Competitor Check-in Day.
If you’d like to volunteer:
👉 Submit your RO Application to the link above (space is limited). Those not selected will still have the option to purchase a competitor slot.
SQUADING
Individual competitors: We will allow 6-8 per squad.
Team competitors: We will allow 2 Team’s per squad.
Skills competitors: We will allow 1 Skill per squad.
Young Gun competitors: Will compete in the same squad as their parent or guardian.
This is to help the flow of the match and allow us to complete the course of fire in a more timely fashion.
Any competitor that has not chosen a squad 5 days prior to the match, will be placed in a squad by the MD.
TRAVEL
CAMPING
Onsite camping available (no RV hookups or clean-outs).
LODGING
Bartlesville has a whole host of motels, hotels, Airbnb and Vrbo available for your stay.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Share your adventure and tag us!
Use hashtags:
#NRLH #NRLHunter #EveryEthicalEdge #BestoftheWestHunter #BestoftheWestOutfitters
Follow us for updates on:
Facebook:
Instagram:
TV/Video
Will be onsite filming for a 2026 episode to be aired on Carbon TV.
Photographer
Will be onsite photographing the match.
MAPS
At check-in, we will provide you a onX Hunt link to all locations (complete with stages) associated with the Best of the West Hunter match.
SCHEDULE
Water provided at stages.
FRIDAY, MARCH 6TH
RO SHOOT DAY
• 7:00 AM – RO Hunter Safety Briefing
• 7:30 AM – RO’s shoot for points & prizes amongst all hunters and are eligible for prizes (all stages)
Lunch provided and catered by: Smokey Joe’s BBQ
• 4:00 PM – Weigh-in and velocity check at check-in table immediately after completion
HUNTER CHECK-IN DAY
• 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Check-in, weigh-in, and velocity check
• 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM – 100-yard zero and truing targets available if needed
• 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Informal gathering:
100 SW Frank Phillips Blvd, Bartlesville, OK
Water provided at stages.
SATURDAY, MARCH 7Th
• 7:00 AM – Hunters Mandatory Safety Briefing held at the match parking area
• 8:00 AM – Hunters report to assigned stages
• 8:30 AM – Intended time to begin hunting steel (12 stages)
Lunch provided and catered by: Smokey Joe’s BBQ
• 3:00 PM – Intended completion time for Day 1 (subject to variation)
• 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Informal gathering:
110 SW Frank Phillips Blvd, Bartlesville, OK
Water provided at stages.
SUNDAY, MARCH 8TH
• 8:00 AM – Hunter arrival; proceed directly to assigned stage
• 8:30 AM – Intended time to begin hunting steel (8 stages)
• 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM – Estimated completion of match
• 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Estimated awards and dinner
• Awards Location:
300 SE Adams Blvd, Bartlesville, OK
Catered by: Melody’s Creative Cuisine
• 5:00 PM – Event completed
Start Date
Friday, March 6, 2026
End Date
Sunday, March 8, 2026
13486 Okesa Rd., Bartlesville, OK 74003
Pricing
Skills
$300
Teams
$600
Individual
$300