Annual Cleanup Day Expands Northland Sportsmen’s Club’s Mission
GAYLORD — The mission of the Northland Sportsmen’s Club at 1592 Old Alba Road is clear: to provide safe, clean shooting ranges for members and police, to conserve natural resources, to promote safe and environmentally sound use of natural resources for hunting, fishing and other outdoor sports, and to educate youth in shooting and outdoor sports.
The nonprofit club, founded in 1934, is located on 40 acres and on June 17, members donated their time and resources to keep the club and surrounding area clean by picking up discarded items and trash.
“We go down Old Alba Road and then down to Hayes Tower Road and sometimes Milbocker Road depending on how many people we have,” said Gerry Mathews, the club’s treasurer.
Mathews said the club’s annual cleanup has been going on for more than 20 years and members find plenty of liquor bottles and trash.
“Sometimes we find cardboard, furniture, tires and just about any kind of trash you can imagine,” he added.
Unfortunately, many of us do not take the time and expense to properly dispose of things we no longer need.
“Because the landfill is expensive, they throw away their sofas and dressers. Last year we didn’t get much of that, but the year before we did,” Mathews said.
Club members bring their own vehicles and garbage bags.
“Three or four get in a vehicle and drive to an area to collect discarded items. They donate not only their time and effort, but also the gas for their vehicles,” noted Mathews.
At the end of the cleanup, participants are treated to a barbecue of hamburgers and hot dogs. Members also receive credit for the hours of work they complete each year toward their membership requirements.
“We are a conservation organization and want to keep nature as clean as possible,” said Mathews.
The club has over 300 members from almost every age group.
“We have an archery range, pistol and shotgun ranges, and a trap and skeet shooting area. In the winter, we can shoot rifles indoors in our basement. We also have pistol leagues where members compete against other sporting clubs,” Mathews said.
The facilities the club offers are a necessity for hunters and shooters to practice their skills, and in most cases you cannot do these activities in your backyard.
“You can’t go on state land because it’s not welcome there anymore,” Mathews said.
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The club also offers a comprehensive range of courses and teaching programs.
“We hold hunter safety courses every year. We also offer shooting courses for women who are new to shooting or owning guns. Our shooting ranges are also available to local police officers for training and qualification purposes when needed,” said Mathews.
The club also offers civilian shooting programs (CMPs).
“Any child can participate for free and does not have to be a member. We provide the guns and ammunition,” said Mathews.
Further information is available on the association’s website.
— Contact Paul Welitzkin at [email protected].
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