Some History on the Ammonoosuc Valley Fish & Game Club
History – Extract from the History compiled by Bruce E. Simonds
On April 1,1924 a group of local citizens organized the Ammonoosuc Fish and Game Club to protect, propagate and increase the fish and game in the waters and woods of this part of New Hampshire. Annual dues were $1.00!
May 5, 1927 Arthur Young of Bath, New Hampshire sold the club 9 acres on land located on “Bunga Road” for $1.00. Bunga Road is now designated NH Route 112, the Kancamagus Highway. The club house was built around 1931 and the story is that the large stone fireplace was built by members of the Depression era CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps for the youngsters) out of Easton, NH.
The club became a non-profit corporation on March 24, 1947. Annual dues in 1950 were raised to $2.00. Bylaws were written and revised several times and were firmly established by October 19, 1951.
The first President of the club was R.T. Bartlett. He is honored with an oil portrait which hangs over the mantel of the stone fireplace in the club house. More recent presidents include Jim Patten, Bruce E. Simonds, Eric Batchelder, Albi Estes, Randall Burt and the current President, Dean Thompson.
Forty-five to fifty members attended club meetings in the 1950s, back before television took over. From the 30s to the late 50s the club hosted clam bakes, chicken barbecues, pig roasts and game dinners of all kinds.
As the 70s rolled around a general clean up of the club house and the establishment of a life member program were overseen by Jim Patten. Claude Gadwah installed new cupboards and a stove for the kitchen. Randall Burt, one of the longest serving Presidents at 10 years, made many improvements to the club buildings and grounds including the installation of a metal roof for the club house. The New Hampshire State Black Powder Championship Shoots were held at the club as well as a raft of other activities.
Dean Thompson, President from 2002 to 2012 with the first Club President in the picture in the back ground. Dean set up the very popular Super Raffle. This has generated funds not only to put the club on sound financial footing but also made it possible to make many improvements to the club house and grounds. The improvement included lowering the ceiling to improve heating, carpeting the floor, re-chinked the logs walls, sealed the outside of the building, installing new light fixtures, doors and windows. A new furnace was acquired to allow use of the club house in the winter.
A cover for the firing line was built by volunteer club members. The original berms were designed by Robert Rutherford and updated by Alan Ingle. At the same time Range rules were established and a large bulletin board was put up for display of the range rules and other club notices.
Sporting events have always been a big part of the club. One of the first was the Field Day. This included rifle and shotgun competitions and the Bean-Hole Dinner. In the 50s, Ken Green ran a Registered Trap Shoot at the club. At that time we had two trap houses One for singles and one for doubles. After a short hiatus the trap program was revived in August of 1967. Lights were donated by the railroad and installed at the registration house. Now shooters could continue as darkness fell. For several years Fred Charles Jr. ran the trap shoots. When Fred died the registration building was dedicated in his memory. A large sign was placed on the building during a ceremony attended by his family and many club members. William Schmidt and Bruce Crawford handled the trap shoots until recently when a committee of four took over the duties.
Other shooting events were the NH State Muzzle Loading Matches, running deer shoots and the .22 shoots for younger shooters. The .22 shoots are part of Field Day.
One of the better known events is the annual Fishing Derby. Fifty years on this has become a very popular event with upwards of 100 youngsters participating each year.
Hunter Safety
Hunter Safety courses have been taught for many years at the club.
In past years, Buck Elliott (left) lead the Hunter Safety program while Lewis Mardin (right) took care of the Bow Hunter Safety classes.
Today there are two versions of the Hunter Safety Course.
The 2 day course at the Club facility and an Online course that then requires a field at at the Club Facility. For more info on these courses please go to the NH Fish and Game Department
In the 90’s an award was established to honor the member who had performed outstanding service to the club the previous year. A trophy plaque hangs in the club house with the names of each year’s recipient of the Member of the Year Award engraved on it. The first member so honored was Dwight Robie.
Wanting to benefit the community at large, the club has for many years rented out our facility for picnics, weddings, family reunions and parties. Cottage Hospital, the American Legion and the Lions Club are just some of the groups which have taken advantage of this service. This benefits the club financially and allows us to be of service to the local community. In fact the club had become such a favorite spot for such functions that it was encroaching on the members’ use of the ranges and club house. Rentals are now limited to former users and available dates are still in high demand.
There are many more stories in our past. Come out to a meeting and see the club house, our trophies, paintings and decorations. Read a detailed history of the club, see our trap & rifle ranges and spend some time with like minded folks. Chances are good you’ll have fun and make some new friends. We welcome new members.