2025 Newsletters |
June 2025
Summer has arrived and hopefully a stretch of nice weather along with it! Wanted to start this months newsletter off with a recap of the Big Game Raffle, and Spring Gun Raffle. This years winner of the Spring Gun Raffle was Judith Nichols and she selected the Winchester .350 Legend. This years grand prize winner of the Big Game Raffle was Doug Hull. The 99th ball drawn and the winner of the second firearm from the Spring Gun Raffle the Woodman Arms muzzleloader was Sarah Denis. And the 98th ball drawn was Logan Perkins and he was the winner of a guns safe. The final winner of the evening was Ronnie Blouin who won a Stevens .410 shotgun that was raffled off the evening of the big event. The first ball drawn to start the evening was that of Lisa St. Lawrence. Even though Lisa went out first this raffle she will receive her ticket next year at no cost! There many other great donated prizes that were awarded throughout the evening and a great time was had by all. Thank you to all that purchased tickets and attended this years raffle, we will see you next year.
The Club has one final major fundraiser remaining for the year and that is our Annual Duck Race. Tickets are now available from select Club members, officers and directors. The cost per duck is $5.00 or 5 ducks for $20.00. The grand prize for the first duck crossing the finish line is $1000.00 and ducks finishing second, third, and fourth also winning cash prizes. The race is scheduled for the final Saturday in August "river conditions" de[ending.
The Club sponsored firearm and archery hunter safety courses are scheduled for August 9th and 10th. The only way to sign up for the courses is by going to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website and selecting our course. The courses should be open for sign up in the next week or so .
And as a final reminder the the "Joey Gingras Memorial Fishing Derby" is this Saturday! The pond at the the Beattie residence has been stocked and and the trout are ready to bite! All of the necessary information is listed below. Spread the word and we hope to see you there.
JOEY GINGRAS MEMORIAL FISHING DERBYSPONSORED BY: THE WILLIAMSTOWN FISH & GAME CLUB
SATURDAY, JUNE 14th
Location: Dan Beattie Residence 122 Bearskat Road, Williamstown
(located off from the Gilbert Road end nearest the Graniteville Road)
Open to ages 4-12
Registration: 8:30 / Fishing 9:00 - Noon
Participation Prizes / Bait / Lunch and Drinks Provided
For Additional Information Call: 476-9811
Williamstown Fish & Game Club
Summer has arrived and hopefully a stretch of nice weather along with it! Wanted to start this months newsletter off with a recap of the Big Game Raffle, and Spring Gun Raffle. This years winner of the Spring Gun Raffle was Judith Nichols and she selected the Winchester .350 Legend. This years grand prize winner of the Big Game Raffle was Doug Hull. The 99th ball drawn and the winner of the second firearm from the Spring Gun Raffle the Woodman Arms muzzleloader was Sarah Denis. And the 98th ball drawn was Logan Perkins and he was the winner of a guns safe. The final winner of the evening was Ronnie Blouin who won a Stevens .410 shotgun that was raffled off the evening of the big event. The first ball drawn to start the evening was that of Lisa St. Lawrence. Even though Lisa went out first this raffle she will receive her ticket next year at no cost! There many other great donated prizes that were awarded throughout the evening and a great time was had by all. Thank you to all that purchased tickets and attended this years raffle, we will see you next year.
The Club has one final major fundraiser remaining for the year and that is our Annual Duck Race. Tickets are now available from select Club members, officers and directors. The cost per duck is $5.00 or 5 ducks for $20.00. The grand prize for the first duck crossing the finish line is $1000.00 and ducks finishing second, third, and fourth also winning cash prizes. The race is scheduled for the final Saturday in August "river conditions" de[ending.
The Club sponsored firearm and archery hunter safety courses are scheduled for August 9th and 10th. The only way to sign up for the courses is by going to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website and selecting our course. The courses should be open for sign up in the next week or so .
And as a final reminder the the "Joey Gingras Memorial Fishing Derby" is this Saturday! The pond at the the Beattie residence has been stocked and and the trout are ready to bite! All of the necessary information is listed below. Spread the word and we hope to see you there.
JOEY GINGRAS MEMORIAL FISHING DERBYSPONSORED BY: THE WILLIAMSTOWN FISH & GAME CLUB
SATURDAY, JUNE 14th
Location: Dan Beattie Residence 122 Bearskat Road, Williamstown
(located off from the Gilbert Road end nearest the Graniteville Road)
Open to ages 4-12
Registration: 8:30 / Fishing 9:00 - Noon
Participation Prizes / Bait / Lunch and Drinks Provided
For Additional Information Call: 476-9811
Williamstown Fish & Game Club
June 2025
It's that time again for the most fun event of the year sponsored by the Williamstown Fish & Game Club. The "Joey Gingras Memorial Fishing Derby"! The date for this years fishing derby is Saturday June 14th. The pond at the the Beattie residence has been stocked and and the trout are ready to bite! All of the necessary information is listed below. Spread the word and we hope to see you there.
JOEY GINGRAS MEMORIAL FISHING DERBY
SPONSORED BY: THE WILLIAMSTOWN FISH & GAME CLUB
SATURDAY, JUNE 14th
Location: Dan Beattie Residence 122 Bearskat Road, Williamstown
(located off from the Gilbert Road end nearest the Graniteville Road)
Open to ages 4-12
Registration: 8:30 / Fishing 9:00 - Noon
Participation Prizes / Bait / Lunch and Drinks Provided
For Additional Information Call: 476-9811
It's that time again for the most fun event of the year sponsored by the Williamstown Fish & Game Club. The "Joey Gingras Memorial Fishing Derby"! The date for this years fishing derby is Saturday June 14th. The pond at the the Beattie residence has been stocked and and the trout are ready to bite! All of the necessary information is listed below. Spread the word and we hope to see you there.
JOEY GINGRAS MEMORIAL FISHING DERBY
SPONSORED BY: THE WILLIAMSTOWN FISH & GAME CLUB
SATURDAY, JUNE 14th
Location: Dan Beattie Residence 122 Bearskat Road, Williamstown
(located off from the Gilbert Road end nearest the Graniteville Road)
Open to ages 4-12
Registration: 8:30 / Fishing 9:00 - Noon
Participation Prizes / Bait / Lunch and Drinks Provided
For Additional Information Call: 476-9811
May 2025
Hello to all Williamstown Fish and Game Club members!
This months regular meeting will be held this Wednesday at the Clubhouse. The meeting will commence promptly at 7:00 PM. If you are planning on attending and are able to arrive a little early to help with some pick up on the grounds that is greatly appreciated.
At this meeting we will recap the Big Game Raffle and Spring Gun Raffle. Both of those functions went remarkably well!
We will be pinning down the grounds maintenance schedule and upcoming happenings on the grounds and with the clubhouse. As always progress is continuing!
The spring turkey season is well underway and I have seen some beautiful birds reported, hopefully you will be among the list of successful hunters!
Thank you to all that have renewed their 2025 memberships. For those that have renewed or purchased their first "range" membership you should have all received a document that lists all of the range rules and regulations. Please read and familiarize yourselves with these rules and regulations. The Club is going to make a concerted effort to ensure that all of these rules and regulations are followed and enforced this year. Thank you to you all in your support of this effort.
June 14th
Joey Gingras Memorial Fish Derby to be held at the Daniel Beattie residence in Williamstown.
August 9th
Firearm Hunter Safety Course to be held at the Clubhouse grounds.
August 10th
Archery Hunter Safety Course to be held at the Clubhouse grounds.
Hope to see you all Wednesday evening!
Williamstown Fish & Game Club
Hello to all Williamstown Fish and Game Club members!
This months regular meeting will be held this Wednesday at the Clubhouse. The meeting will commence promptly at 7:00 PM. If you are planning on attending and are able to arrive a little early to help with some pick up on the grounds that is greatly appreciated.
At this meeting we will recap the Big Game Raffle and Spring Gun Raffle. Both of those functions went remarkably well!
We will be pinning down the grounds maintenance schedule and upcoming happenings on the grounds and with the clubhouse. As always progress is continuing!
The spring turkey season is well underway and I have seen some beautiful birds reported, hopefully you will be among the list of successful hunters!
Thank you to all that have renewed their 2025 memberships. For those that have renewed or purchased their first "range" membership you should have all received a document that lists all of the range rules and regulations. Please read and familiarize yourselves with these rules and regulations. The Club is going to make a concerted effort to ensure that all of these rules and regulations are followed and enforced this year. Thank you to you all in your support of this effort.
June 14th
Joey Gingras Memorial Fish Derby to be held at the Daniel Beattie residence in Williamstown.
August 9th
Firearm Hunter Safety Course to be held at the Clubhouse grounds.
August 10th
Archery Hunter Safety Course to be held at the Clubhouse grounds.
Hope to see you all Wednesday evening!
Williamstown Fish & Game Club
- May 14th 7:00 PM May meeting
- June11th 7:00 PM June meeting
- July 9th 7:00 PM July meeting
- August 13th 7:00 PM August meeting
- September 10th 7:00 PM September meeting
April 2025
Hello to all Williamstown Fish and Game Club members!
This months regular meeting will be held this Wednesday at the Clubhouse. The meeting will commence promptly at 7:00 PM.
We will be discussing in great detail the upcoming Big Game Raffle, on April 19th at the Barre Elks Lodge, and the event surrounding that. If anyone has a prize that they would like to be donated for the dinner please get in touch with an officer or director for us to meet up with you!
Spring gun raffle tickets are still available as well. The guns for this year are a Woodman Arms .50 caliber Patriot G3 muzzleloader or a Winchester XPR 350 legend rifle with a camo stock. Tickets are $10 a piece, and as in years past the winner will have their choice and the remaining firearm will be used as the second prize in the Big Game Raffle.
Thank you to all that have renewed their 2025 memberships. For those that have renewed or purchased their first "range" membership you should have all received a document that lists all of the range rules and regulations. Please read and familiarize yourselves with these rules and regulations. The Club is going to make a concerted effort to ensure that all of these rules and regulations are followed and enforced this year. Thank you to you all in your support of this effort.
April 19th
Big Game Raffle and Dinner to be held at the Barre Elks Club
April 19th
Spring Gun Raffle winner selected same evening as Big Game Raffle.
June 14th
Joey Gingras Memorial Fish Derby to be held at the Daniel Beattie residence in Williamstown.
August 9th
Firearm Hunter Safety Course to be held at the Clubhouse grounds.
August 10th
Archery Hunter Safety Course to be held at the Clubhouse grounds.
Hope to see you all Wednesday evening!
Williamstown Fish & Game Club
April 9th 7:00 PM April meeting
May 14th 7:00 PM May meeting
June11th 7:00 PM June meeting
July 9th 7:00 PM July meeting
August 13th 7:00 PM August meeting
September 10th 7:00 PM September meeting
Hello to all Williamstown Fish and Game Club members!
This months regular meeting will be held this Wednesday at the Clubhouse. The meeting will commence promptly at 7:00 PM.
We will be discussing in great detail the upcoming Big Game Raffle, on April 19th at the Barre Elks Lodge, and the event surrounding that. If anyone has a prize that they would like to be donated for the dinner please get in touch with an officer or director for us to meet up with you!
Spring gun raffle tickets are still available as well. The guns for this year are a Woodman Arms .50 caliber Patriot G3 muzzleloader or a Winchester XPR 350 legend rifle with a camo stock. Tickets are $10 a piece, and as in years past the winner will have their choice and the remaining firearm will be used as the second prize in the Big Game Raffle.
Thank you to all that have renewed their 2025 memberships. For those that have renewed or purchased their first "range" membership you should have all received a document that lists all of the range rules and regulations. Please read and familiarize yourselves with these rules and regulations. The Club is going to make a concerted effort to ensure that all of these rules and regulations are followed and enforced this year. Thank you to you all in your support of this effort.
April 19th
Big Game Raffle and Dinner to be held at the Barre Elks Club
April 19th
Spring Gun Raffle winner selected same evening as Big Game Raffle.
June 14th
Joey Gingras Memorial Fish Derby to be held at the Daniel Beattie residence in Williamstown.
August 9th
Firearm Hunter Safety Course to be held at the Clubhouse grounds.
August 10th
Archery Hunter Safety Course to be held at the Clubhouse grounds.
Hope to see you all Wednesday evening!
Williamstown Fish & Game Club
April 9th 7:00 PM April meeting
May 14th 7:00 PM May meeting
June11th 7:00 PM June meeting
July 9th 7:00 PM July meeting
August 13th 7:00 PM August meeting
September 10th 7:00 PM September meeting
March 2025
Hello to all Williamstown Fish and Game Club members!
This months regular meeting will be held this Wednesday at the Clubhouse. The meeting will commence promptly at 7:00 PM.
Thank you to all that have renewed their 2025 memberships. For those that have renewed or purchased their first "range" membership you should have all received a document that lists all of the range rules and regulations. Please read and familiarize yourselves with these rules and regulations. The Club is going to make a concerted effort to ensure that all of these rules and regulations are followed and enforced this year. Thank you to you all in your support of this effort.
At this months meeting we will be finalizing the "grand prize" for this year's Big Game Raffle. This years raffle will again be held at the Barre Elks Lodge on April 19th. If you have held a ticket last year you will be contacted next week to inquire if you would like to purchase again. Ticket price will be the same as last year at $100.00. Meals will be available for purchase at $25.00 per plate.
We will also be drawing the winner of our Spring Gun raffle that evening as well. The lucky winner will have their choice of either a Woodman Arms .50 caliber Patriot G3 Muzzleloader or Winchester XPR .350 Legend caliber w/camo stock. Tickets are $10.00 each and can be purchased from Club officers and directors.
April 19th
Big Game Raffle and Dinner to be held at the Barre Elks Club
April 19th
Spring Gun Raffle winner selected same evening as Big Game Raffle.
June 14th
Joey Gingras Memorial Fish Derby to be held at the Daniel Beattie residence in Williamstown.
August 9th
Firearm Hunter Safety Course to be held at the Clubhouse grounds.
August 10th
Archery Hunter Safety Course to be held at the Clubhouse grounds.
Hope to see you all Wednesday evening!
Williamstown Fish & Game Club
Hello to all Williamstown Fish and Game Club members!
This months regular meeting will be held this Wednesday at the Clubhouse. The meeting will commence promptly at 7:00 PM.
Thank you to all that have renewed their 2025 memberships. For those that have renewed or purchased their first "range" membership you should have all received a document that lists all of the range rules and regulations. Please read and familiarize yourselves with these rules and regulations. The Club is going to make a concerted effort to ensure that all of these rules and regulations are followed and enforced this year. Thank you to you all in your support of this effort.
At this months meeting we will be finalizing the "grand prize" for this year's Big Game Raffle. This years raffle will again be held at the Barre Elks Lodge on April 19th. If you have held a ticket last year you will be contacted next week to inquire if you would like to purchase again. Ticket price will be the same as last year at $100.00. Meals will be available for purchase at $25.00 per plate.
We will also be drawing the winner of our Spring Gun raffle that evening as well. The lucky winner will have their choice of either a Woodman Arms .50 caliber Patriot G3 Muzzleloader or Winchester XPR .350 Legend caliber w/camo stock. Tickets are $10.00 each and can be purchased from Club officers and directors.
April 19th
Big Game Raffle and Dinner to be held at the Barre Elks Club
April 19th
Spring Gun Raffle winner selected same evening as Big Game Raffle.
June 14th
Joey Gingras Memorial Fish Derby to be held at the Daniel Beattie residence in Williamstown.
August 9th
Firearm Hunter Safety Course to be held at the Clubhouse grounds.
August 10th
Archery Hunter Safety Course to be held at the Clubhouse grounds.
Hope to see you all Wednesday evening!
Williamstown Fish & Game Club
February 2025
Meeting Wednesday February 12th 7:00 PM at The Clubhouse
Hello to all Williamstown Fish and Game Club members!
This months regular meeting will be held this Wednesday at the Clubhouse. The meeting will commence promptly at 7:00 PM. Thank you to all that were able to attended last months annual meeting. Everyone commented how great it was to drive up Grandview Road and see the lights on in the Clubhouse. It's been a long time coming for us to host a monthly meeting during the "winter" months at our Clubhouse and it was very gratifying. The heating system worked flawlessly and the Clubhouse was very comfortable.
We are still looking for members to step up and fill vacant officer and director positions. We invite anyone that might even be just a little curious to attend a monthly meeting observe and ask questions about the open positions. As stated last month you won't be left to figure it out on your own and will be supported every step of the way.
A few event dates were set at last months meeting are as follows:
April 19th
Big Game Raffle and Dinner to be held at the Barre Elks Club (Grand prize should be finalized at this months meeting and past ticket holders will be contacted).
April 19th
Spring Gun Raffle winner selected same evening as Big Game Raffle.
June 14th
Joey Gingras Memorial Fish Derby to be held at the Daniel Beattie residence in Williamstown.
August 9th
Firearm Hunter Safety Course to be held at the Clubhouse grounds.
August 10th
Archery Hunter Safety Course to be held at the Clubhouse grounds.
Thank you to all that have sent in membership renewal forms and raffle ticket purchase requests via the mail. All those received to date will be returned via the mail this week
Hope to see you all Wednesday evening!
Williamstown Fish & Game Club
Meeting Wednesday February 12th 7:00 PM at The Clubhouse
Hello to all Williamstown Fish and Game Club members!
This months regular meeting will be held this Wednesday at the Clubhouse. The meeting will commence promptly at 7:00 PM. Thank you to all that were able to attended last months annual meeting. Everyone commented how great it was to drive up Grandview Road and see the lights on in the Clubhouse. It's been a long time coming for us to host a monthly meeting during the "winter" months at our Clubhouse and it was very gratifying. The heating system worked flawlessly and the Clubhouse was very comfortable.
We are still looking for members to step up and fill vacant officer and director positions. We invite anyone that might even be just a little curious to attend a monthly meeting observe and ask questions about the open positions. As stated last month you won't be left to figure it out on your own and will be supported every step of the way.
A few event dates were set at last months meeting are as follows:
April 19th
Big Game Raffle and Dinner to be held at the Barre Elks Club (Grand prize should be finalized at this months meeting and past ticket holders will be contacted).
April 19th
Spring Gun Raffle winner selected same evening as Big Game Raffle.
June 14th
Joey Gingras Memorial Fish Derby to be held at the Daniel Beattie residence in Williamstown.
August 9th
Firearm Hunter Safety Course to be held at the Clubhouse grounds.
August 10th
Archery Hunter Safety Course to be held at the Clubhouse grounds.
Thank you to all that have sent in membership renewal forms and raffle ticket purchase requests via the mail. All those received to date will be returned via the mail this week
Hope to see you all Wednesday evening!
Williamstown Fish & Game Club
January 2025
Annual Meeting Wednesday January 22nd 7 PM at The Clubhouse
Hello and Happy New Year to all Williamstown Fish & Game Club members!
We hope that your 2024 ended on a high note and that your fall hunting seasons were safe and successful! As we turn the page on 2024 and start 2025 we can not help but reflect that with the end of this coming year we will be a "quarter" of the way through the 21st century! As for the Williamstown Fish & Game Club 2025 will shape up to be one of the biggest ever in our history as the finish line of the rebuild from our catastrophic fire is in site. As we finished up 2024 we were able to complete a couple more major projects. To date all of the electrical is completed and operational. Telephone and Wi fi have been installed and are operational. Surveillance cameras have been installed and are operational. Heating system has been installed and is operational. The creation of a parking area behind the shooting bench which upon completion we hope will be large enough to accommodate 4 vehicles. And we are happy to announce that before snow flew this year we were able to drill our artesian well! The final two major projects that are scheduled to be completed in the spring are to install our septic system and bring water into the building. Upon completion of those two steps we will for the first time have a fulling and completely functional Clubhouse!
All of this work described above and so much that occurred before would not have been possible without the help of volunteers. Unfortunately like so many other clubs the pool of volunteers at the Williamstown Fish & Game Club seems to be getting smaller and smaller. Many of you may not be aware but we have not had any new officer or director candidates in over three years! Some months we struggle to get more than 5 members at our meetings. Its hard to believe that out of almost 200 members that can't find a 6-10 members to step up and fill these positions. We hear it time and time again, "I don't have time", "I'm to busy". Our way of life is under attack, hunting, fishing, trapping, gun ownership. If we don't step up now what will the traditions we hold so dear will look like only a generation into the future say nothing about two or three from now. We challenge each and everyone of you to attend at least 1 meeting this year and bring a friend or family member. And for those that are real courageous consider becoming an officer or director. Come to a meeting and speak to an existing officer and director and we can explain what the positions entail. We promise each and every one of you that may be considering stepping up to this level you won't be left to twist in the wind and figure it out on your own. None of the existing active members are going anywhere, we are just getting a little worn out and are looking for a little help.
We would like to touch base on an ongoing problem which is "mis-use" of the range facilities. This is one of the biggest problems facing pretty much every range that is open to the general public with the purchase of a range pass. Our range like most others does not have full time range officers monitoring access and use. And it is this "mis-use" that is usually the major contributing factor as to why a shooting range gets shut down. The "Boonie Club" was originally formed as a "hunters" club with the hopes of providing a safe and comfortable place to site in our hunting firearms. Obviously more and more people or shooting for recreation and we certainly don't want to dissuade anyone from joining our Club that wants to use the facilities for that reason. However many of these recreation shooters are first time gun owners with little or no formal training as to how to handle or shoot a firearm. All you have to do is go to the Club range and look at the bullet holes in the tin that covers the facade of the rifle berm. The number of bullet holes is astounding and totally irresponsible. The installation of the surveillance cameras has helped but is not the final solution. The range rules are clearly posted on the large sign board behind the shooting bench and it is the responsibility of every range pass member to know those rules. As existing members renew their memberships this year and new members join we will be including a copy of the range regulations with their purchase. Any range member that is found to be breaking "any" of these rules their range pass privileges will be immediately revoked! Any individual caught trespassing on the grounds without a range pass and breaking the range rules will be prosecuted. We need to police ourselves. If you are a valid range pass member and see someone breaking any of the range rules I urge you to "educate" if it is obvious that the individual is a novice to shooting. If it is obvious that the perpetrator is an idiot that is just breaking the rules to be an idiot please record as much information as possible and report it to a Club officer or director.
Some of the most common infractions are the following:
- When you enter the gate lock it after yourself so that you know that the next person that comes in after you has a valid range pass.
- shooting on Monday (range is closed)
- shooting before range hours / shooting after sunset
- semi-automatic burst of more than 5 shots at a time
- using only paper targets / targets only placed on snow fence
- pick up your empty casings everywhere but particularly when shooting from the lawn
- bring your garbage home / no cans, bottles or food packaging in garbage cans
2025 memberships are now available. For those that have had a membership in the past two years you will be receiving a renewal form in the mail within the next week. Memberships are also available to purchase from our website, Big D's Guns, Ammo Warehouse and from select officers and directors.
Spring Gun Raffle tickets are now available. This years raffle winner will have their choice of either a Woodman Arms Patriot G3 muzzleloader or Winchester XPR .350 Legend w/camo stock. Tickets will be $10.00 each and the winner will be drawn April 19th at our Big Game Raffle. The unselected firearm will be awarded to the ticket holder of the 99th ball drawn. Tickets will be available at Big D's, and from Club officers and directors.
We will again be holding our Duck Race this August. Ducks again will be $5.00 each or 5 ducks for $20. The winning duck will receive $1000, with cash prizes for second and third as well.
The dates for our Joey Gingras Memorial Fishing Derby will be set at the annual meeting. As will the dates for our firearm and archery hunter safety courses.
2025 meeting schedule is as follows with all meetings be held at the Clubhouse:
January 22nd
February 12th
March 12th
April 9th
May 14th
June 11th
July 9th
August 13th
September 10th
We look forward to seeing you all at the meeting next Wednesday. Light refreshments will be provided, BYOB on beverages.
Officers and Directors,
Williamstown Fish & Game Club
Annual Meeting Wednesday January 22nd 7 PM at The Clubhouse
Hello and Happy New Year to all Williamstown Fish & Game Club members!
We hope that your 2024 ended on a high note and that your fall hunting seasons were safe and successful! As we turn the page on 2024 and start 2025 we can not help but reflect that with the end of this coming year we will be a "quarter" of the way through the 21st century! As for the Williamstown Fish & Game Club 2025 will shape up to be one of the biggest ever in our history as the finish line of the rebuild from our catastrophic fire is in site. As we finished up 2024 we were able to complete a couple more major projects. To date all of the electrical is completed and operational. Telephone and Wi fi have been installed and are operational. Surveillance cameras have been installed and are operational. Heating system has been installed and is operational. The creation of a parking area behind the shooting bench which upon completion we hope will be large enough to accommodate 4 vehicles. And we are happy to announce that before snow flew this year we were able to drill our artesian well! The final two major projects that are scheduled to be completed in the spring are to install our septic system and bring water into the building. Upon completion of those two steps we will for the first time have a fulling and completely functional Clubhouse!
All of this work described above and so much that occurred before would not have been possible without the help of volunteers. Unfortunately like so many other clubs the pool of volunteers at the Williamstown Fish & Game Club seems to be getting smaller and smaller. Many of you may not be aware but we have not had any new officer or director candidates in over three years! Some months we struggle to get more than 5 members at our meetings. Its hard to believe that out of almost 200 members that can't find a 6-10 members to step up and fill these positions. We hear it time and time again, "I don't have time", "I'm to busy". Our way of life is under attack, hunting, fishing, trapping, gun ownership. If we don't step up now what will the traditions we hold so dear will look like only a generation into the future say nothing about two or three from now. We challenge each and everyone of you to attend at least 1 meeting this year and bring a friend or family member. And for those that are real courageous consider becoming an officer or director. Come to a meeting and speak to an existing officer and director and we can explain what the positions entail. We promise each and every one of you that may be considering stepping up to this level you won't be left to twist in the wind and figure it out on your own. None of the existing active members are going anywhere, we are just getting a little worn out and are looking for a little help.
We would like to touch base on an ongoing problem which is "mis-use" of the range facilities. This is one of the biggest problems facing pretty much every range that is open to the general public with the purchase of a range pass. Our range like most others does not have full time range officers monitoring access and use. And it is this "mis-use" that is usually the major contributing factor as to why a shooting range gets shut down. The "Boonie Club" was originally formed as a "hunters" club with the hopes of providing a safe and comfortable place to site in our hunting firearms. Obviously more and more people or shooting for recreation and we certainly don't want to dissuade anyone from joining our Club that wants to use the facilities for that reason. However many of these recreation shooters are first time gun owners with little or no formal training as to how to handle or shoot a firearm. All you have to do is go to the Club range and look at the bullet holes in the tin that covers the facade of the rifle berm. The number of bullet holes is astounding and totally irresponsible. The installation of the surveillance cameras has helped but is not the final solution. The range rules are clearly posted on the large sign board behind the shooting bench and it is the responsibility of every range pass member to know those rules. As existing members renew their memberships this year and new members join we will be including a copy of the range regulations with their purchase. Any range member that is found to be breaking "any" of these rules their range pass privileges will be immediately revoked! Any individual caught trespassing on the grounds without a range pass and breaking the range rules will be prosecuted. We need to police ourselves. If you are a valid range pass member and see someone breaking any of the range rules I urge you to "educate" if it is obvious that the individual is a novice to shooting. If it is obvious that the perpetrator is an idiot that is just breaking the rules to be an idiot please record as much information as possible and report it to a Club officer or director.
Some of the most common infractions are the following:
- When you enter the gate lock it after yourself so that you know that the next person that comes in after you has a valid range pass.
- shooting on Monday (range is closed)
- shooting before range hours / shooting after sunset
- semi-automatic burst of more than 5 shots at a time
- using only paper targets / targets only placed on snow fence
- pick up your empty casings everywhere but particularly when shooting from the lawn
- bring your garbage home / no cans, bottles or food packaging in garbage cans
2025 memberships are now available. For those that have had a membership in the past two years you will be receiving a renewal form in the mail within the next week. Memberships are also available to purchase from our website, Big D's Guns, Ammo Warehouse and from select officers and directors.
Spring Gun Raffle tickets are now available. This years raffle winner will have their choice of either a Woodman Arms Patriot G3 muzzleloader or Winchester XPR .350 Legend w/camo stock. Tickets will be $10.00 each and the winner will be drawn April 19th at our Big Game Raffle. The unselected firearm will be awarded to the ticket holder of the 99th ball drawn. Tickets will be available at Big D's, and from Club officers and directors.
We will again be holding our Duck Race this August. Ducks again will be $5.00 each or 5 ducks for $20. The winning duck will receive $1000, with cash prizes for second and third as well.
The dates for our Joey Gingras Memorial Fishing Derby will be set at the annual meeting. As will the dates for our firearm and archery hunter safety courses.
2025 meeting schedule is as follows with all meetings be held at the Clubhouse:
January 22nd
February 12th
March 12th
April 9th
May 14th
June 11th
July 9th
August 13th
September 10th
We look forward to seeing you all at the meeting next Wednesday. Light refreshments will be provided, BYOB on beverages.
Officers and Directors,
Williamstown Fish & Game Club
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