North East Hunting and Fishing Club was founded late in the 1940s when the men were returning from WWII. The club was very active with meetings held once a month and the dues were $.25 a month, paid at the meeting. The club purchased an old store on Route 89 and Damsite Road for a clubhouse. The club grew, and at one time had over 500 members.
The club had a fish raceway and raised fish for the PA Fish commission. In the early 60s, a flood washed the raceway out, and it was never rebuilt. The club purchased ring necked pheasants and stocked until the early 1970s, when it became too expensive.
Member Glenn Arnold gave the club a tract of land on East Townline Road in the early 50s for a rifle range and picnic area. The rifle range is still on this tract. At the time, the club needed money to develop the picnic area, so there were some people who put up money for life memberships. All life members have now passed away. The first trap range was on this tract. In the late 60s, the club needed to add a second trap range. Glenn Arnold still owned the land to the East, and was willing to sell it to the club at a greatly reduced price. This made the total land at a little over 50 acres.
In the early 1970s, the clubhouse on Rt. 89 need a lot of repairs, so it was sold and the members built a new clubhouse on the grounds at East Townline Rd.
North East Hunting and Fishing Club was a rather long name, and in the late 90s it was changed to North East Sportsmen’s Club. North East Hunting and Fishing Club, Inc. is still the legal, registered name.
North East Sportsmen’s trap team has shot in the Erie-Crawford Trap League since the late 1960s. The trap team has been very competitive and has won the league championship once, and many other awards. Team members have won many personal awards.
North East Sportsmen’s Club has held Pennsylvania Game Commission Hunter Education classes since hunter education came to PA. The club has put more than 7,000 students through the class, and has been recognized three times as one of the top classes in the state.
The club began meeting on the first Wednesday of the month, and continues to today. Meetings begin at 7:00 pm
