During the past summer, the Sportsmen’s Alliance expanded their reach and influence across the country with a series of charity shoots in multiple states. The shoots encompassed the Alliance’s growing industry partner program, as well as the longstanding grassroots platform that involves local sportsmen’s clubs and highlighted the flexibility of the program to reach varied audiences and accomplish diverse goals for the organization and hosts alike.
The highlight of the industry events was the 19th annual North East Sporting Clays Championship sponsored by Baron Technologies, which included such heavy hitters in the shooting and hunting worlds as the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Taurus, Winchester, Browning, Colt, Mossberg and Ruger.
The shoot, which was a resounding success, took place June 26 at the Mid-County Rod & Gun Club in LaGrangeville, New York, benefited Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation programs such as the Trailblazer Adventure Program that introduces youth and their families to the outdoor traditions of hunting, fishing and trapping. A unique aspect of this shoot was that sponsors helped cover the shooting cost of participating youth.
“The Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation was honored to be a part of such a longstanding event, especially one connected with Dave Baron – someone who gives so much of his time and talent to introducing new shooters, both adults and youth, to shooting and hunting,” said Sean Curran, vice president of membership and development for Sportsmen’s Alliance. “With his support and the backing of the NSSF, as well as that of all our sponsors, the Sportsmen’s Alliance will be able to continue to protect hunting, fishing and trapping nationwide, as well as grow participation in these great pastimes.”
Building upon the successful shoot in New York, the Sportsmen’s Alliance expanded the experience to local club members in Wisconsin and the organization’s home state of Ohio.
On Saturday, Aug. 13, the Mayville Gun Club held the inaugural “Mayville Sportsmen’s Shooting Day,” which was sponsored by both the Mayville Gun Club and W.A.Y.S.E. (Women and Youth Sporting Education), in Mayville, Wis.
Conceived by shoot committee chairman Red Eilbes and Sportsmen’s Alliance State Field Director Ken Metzdorf, the event was held solely to benefit the Sportsmen’s Alliance. “The Mayville Gun Club has been a supporter of the Sportsmen’s Alliance and its mission for a number of years as a Club Sponsor of the organization,” said Nate Whiteman, director of field operations for Sportsmen’s Alliance. “However, thinking out of the box, they decided to take their dedication and support one step further and to hold their own event, unsolicited by the Sportsmen’s Alliance, to help raise funds for the organization.”
Metzdorf added that the club already has plans in the works for the second-annual shoot in 2017.
“It was an incredible show of support by the Mayville Gun Club to put this shoot together,” said Curran. “We have more than 300 clubs in our partner program, and if each of them hosted a similar event, the animal-rights movement would face a tough fight.”
A week prior on Aug. 6, the Central Ohio Charity Shoot presented by Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP was held at the Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, Ohio. The event highlighted the diverse role and flexibility Sportsmen’s Alliance charity shoots can take; whereas the North East Sporting Clays Championship in New York focused on industry partners and the Mayville Sportsmen’s Shooting Day in Wisconsin catered to the public and youth, the Central Ohio Charity Shoot had more of a corporate flavor with participants from sponsor Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, Law Office of Sean A. McCarter and Anheuser-Busch.
“We encourage anyone interested in hosting a Sportsmen’s Alliance shoot to contact us. We’ve kept the format flexible on purpose to better incorporate it with local clubs, organizations or others who wish to support the Sportsmen’s Alliance mission while at the same time enjoying a day at the range,” said Curran, who can be contacted at (614) 888-4868 or [email protected].
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.