SHARPTAIL SHOOTOUT

Mullen offers a variety of activities for the outdoor enthusiast throughout the year. The most well-known Mullen event drawing contestants from around the United States is the annual Sandhills Sharptail Shootout http://sharptailshootout.com/ on the second Saturday of the Nebraska grouse season in September. For more than 25 years, teams of hunters have visited Mullen for this timed event to see who can bag the largest number of grouse with the least shots fired.  Teams compete in a trap shoot the day before the hunt and then have some fun on the Dismal River Sporting Ranch clays course.

The hunt, organized by the Mullen Commercial Club, is successful due to the 50 plus land owners from Hooker County and surrounding counties that open their land to the hunters. Many don’t allow any other grouse hunters on their land until after this event to assure an exciting shoot for the hunters. Local groups assist with cooking, hosting, and serving meals for the hunters. The post hunt banquet and auction draws about 300 people each year in this town with only 500 residents.

Teams are limited by the amount of lodging in the immediate area so enthusiasts sign up early to secure their spot for the event. The field for the hunt is usually set by May. Profits are used for community improvements.