About Suffield Sportsman’s Association

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****Phelps Road Pit is now closed to all hunting and will no longer be stocked********

 

THE SUFFIELD SPORTSMEN’S ASSOCIATION BEGAN AS THE WINDSOR LOCKS GUN CLUB IN 1919. INCLUDED WERE MEMBERS FROM WAREHOUSE POINT, SUFFIELD, WINDSOR LOCKS, WINDSOR, AND POQUONOCK. LAND ON THE FARM OF FRANK HARVEY WAS RENTED FOR A RANGE AND CLUBHOUSE. THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 50 MEMBERS. THE CLUB GREW AND PROSPERED UNTIL THE DEPRESSION IN THE 1930’S WHEN IT BECAME INACTIVE.

IN THE LATE 1930’S THE CLUB WAS REACTIVATED AND MOVED TO ITS PRESENT SITE ON PHELPS ROAD IN WEST SUFFIELD. OVER THE YEARS THE CLUB AND FACILITIES HAVE SEEN MANY EXPANSIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. THE SUCCESS OF THE CLUB IS ATTRIBUTED TO THE FARSIGHTED APPROACH OF THE FOUNDERS WHO HAVE RESPECTED, INCLUDED AND DEVELOPED A SOUND WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH SUFFIELD LANDOWNERS AND A CONTINUING DESIRE TO INCLUDE MEMBERS AND MEMBERS’ FAMILIES FROM ALL WALKS AND STATIONS OF LIFE WHO HAVE AN INTEREST IN OUTDOOR SPORTS, CONSERVATION, HABITAT MANAGEMENT, AND GOOD CITIZENSHIP.

THE CLUB CURRENTLY CONSISTS OF APPROXIMATELY 417 MEMBERS. IT IS LOCATED ON APPROXIMATELY 59 ACRES. INCLUDED ARE: THE CLUBHOUSE, A 24′ X 48′ COVERED PAVILLION, A TRAP FIELD WITH ONE MANUAL AND ONE ELECTRIC TRAP, TWO 25 YARD TWO POSITION PISTOL RANGES, 50 AND 100 YARD RIFLE RANGES AND AN ARCHERY RANGE. AN OFF-SITE TROUT POND IS ALSO MAINTAINED BY THE ASSOCIATION.

A “PERMIT REQUIRED AREA” INCLUDING APPROXIMATELY 3,500 ACRES, IS MANAGED IN COOPERATION WITH PRIVATE LANDOWNERS, THE ASSOCIATION AND THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. THE ASSOCIATION PAYS FOR AND STOCKS 1,200 PHEASANTS ON THIS ACREAGE, ALONG WITH 800 BIRDS STOCKED BY THE STATE.

600 PLUS TROUT ARE RELEASED IN OUR OFF-SITE POND. A LIMIT OF 2 FISH PER MEMBER PER DAY IS STRICTLY ENFORCED.

CLUB INVOLVEMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:

  1. A FREE HUNTER SAFETY COURSE HAS BEEN OFFERED BY THE CLUB FOR THE PAST 37 YEARS, WITH APPROXIMATELY 1,100 STUDENTS GRADUATING. THE CLUB HAS 5 STATE CERTIFIED HUNTER SAFETY INSTRUCTORS, 1 CERTIFIED ARCHERY INSTRUCTOR, 1 P.O.S.T.C CERTIFIED CT/MA/LEOSA INSTRUCTOR, 1 NRA CERTIFIED HANDGUN INSTRUCTOR, AND 8 CERTIFIED RANGE SAFETY OFFICERS, IN ADDITION, WE HAVE 2 CT. STATE CERTIFIED CARE FISHING INSTRUCTORS
  2. WE DONATE 20 -30 TURKEYS TO THE VNA X-MAS FOOD BASKETS.
  3. CLUB FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE TO THE BOY SCOUTS, GIRL SCOUTS, CUB SCOUTS, AND BROWNIES.
  4. APPROXIMATELY 40 WOOD DUCK BOXES AND MANY BLUEBIRD BOXES HAVE BEEN BUILT AND ARE MAINTAINED BY THE ASSOCIATION WITH RECORDS BEING MAINTAINED AND SUBMITTED TO THE STATE D. E. P.
  5. THE POLICE HAVE USE OF OUR RANGES, SAVING THEM THE TIME AND COST OF HAVING TO TRAVEL OUT OF TOWN FOR RANGE FACILITIES. A COOPERATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN THE ASSOCIATION AND THE SUFFIELD POLICE IS EXPANDING ONE RANGE SO THAT ALL POLICE WEAPONS TRAINING CAN BE DONE IN TOWN.
  6. A CASH AWARD IS MADE ANNUALLY IN MEMORY OF PAST MEMBER   JIM HIXON TO A SUFFIELD VO-AG SENIOR FOR FURTHER EDUCATION.
  7. TURKEYS ARE FURNISHED EACH YEAR FOR THE SUFFIELD SENIOR CITIZEN’S VALENTINE’S DINNER.
  8. A PICNIC IS HELD EACH YEAR FOR OUR MEMBERS, THEIR FAMILIES, CLUB NEIGHBORS, AND LANDOWNERS.
  9. A CLUB KIDS’ FISHING DERBY IS SPONSORED EACH YEAR.
  10. THE CLUB SUPPORTS THE TOWN SUNRISE PARK FISHING DERBY
  11. THE CLUB IS AFFILIATED WITH AND FINANCIALLY SUPPORTIVE OF BOTH THE NRA AND THE CT. SPORTSMEN’S ALLIANCE.

FUNDING FOR ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS COMES FROM THE 10 TURKEY SHOOTS HELD EACH FALL AND FOUR HAM SHOOTS HELD EACH SPRING. ASSISTANCE FOR THESE SHOOTS IS PROVIDED BY BOY SCOUT TROOP 66.