Hadley Rod and Gun Club

2010 Officers

President: Keith Pearce
Vice Pres: Daryl Chess
Secretary: Kenneth Hildebran
Treasurer: Richard Palm
Delegate: Gene Free
Alt. Del: Kenneth Hildebran

     On March 21, 1947 a group of 24 sportsmen, interested in the conservation of our natural resources and the heritage of future generations of outdoor recreation activities met at the Town Hall in Hadley and formed the Hadley Rod & Gun Club.  Dues were set at $20 per year.

     About two years later, five acres of land was purchased on Rt. 19 south of Sheakleyville and a clubhouse was built.  In later years, additional land was purchased and a backstop and shooting bench was put in place.

     For several years, members raised and released pheasants on area land that  was open to public hunting.  They also maintained turkey feeders in Warren County.  In more recent years the club has adopted part of Goddard State Park for habitat improvement.  This has included cutting of browse, trimming apple trees, building and installing fish structures in Lake Wilhelm and building and installing Osprey nesting platforms in the Lake Wilhelm area.  Bluebird nesting boxes have been built and donated to school students for a trail, and followed up by monitoring the nests and fledging of young birds.  Some members even participate in coyote hunting.

     In Spring 2002 the Club sponsored development of a Butterfly Garden as a outdoor classroom for Commodore Perry school students which is now officially certified in the National Wildlife Federation's world wide network of habitat-base learning sites.  This school years habitat site provides much beauty and outdoor learning opportunities for our students and the entire community. 

     Each year the club holds a Hunter Trapper Education class for first time hunters and an average of about 35 students were certified in each of the last 20 years.  Each year, the club sponsors students to attend the Mercer County Youth Conservation Camp and participates in the Youth Field Day for the youngsters.

     A chicken Bar-B-Q is held every year for National Hunting & Fishing Day in September and the club sponsors a booth at the Sheakleyville Homecoming.  

     Meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of each month at 8:00 PM at the club house.

     While Hadley Rod & Gun Club is one of the smaller clubs in the county, it is one of the most active in conservation activities by its members.  The members really believe in it's motto: "CONSERVATION IS EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS."