Ashfield Rod & Gun Club

Ashfield Rod & Gun Club sits on forested land and open fields in the Berkshire foothills, straddling the towns of Hawley and Plainfield. The club was founded in 1920, incorporated in 1929, and has been a community shooting and outdoor resource ever since.

The property includes active habitat management to maintain diverse ecosystems across the 110 acres.

The club hosts MA Basic Hunter Education courses administered by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. A dedicated team of volunteer instructors runs 1-2 courses per year. The club has also hosted Trapper Education and Bow Hunter Education in the past and plans to expand course offerings.

Other training includes: - Firearm Safety Classes (typically March) - Turkey Hunting Course for women (typically March) - Structured shooting competitions (.22 rifle shoots, etc.)

The club runs year-round events for all ages:

• •Ice Fishing Derby (February)
• •Spring & Kids Fishing Derbies (May)
• •Shooting Competitions (.22 rifle matches, trap shoots)
• •Game Dinner (March)
• •Clam Bake (September)
• •Monthly Club Meetings (third Thursday each month, 7pm)
• •Work Days (April spring maintenance)

Youth opportunities: - Fishing derbies for kids 14 and younger - $500 academic scholarships for graduating high school seniors pursuing environmental conservation majors - Summer conservation camp sponsorships (MA and VT options) - Youth Membership: $5/year

The club accepts new members year-round. Eligibility requires U.S. citizenship or legal residency and the ability to obtain a Massachusetts hunting, fishing, or sporting license.

Membership requires: 1. Attending a club meeting or event to meet members 2. Submitting completed application and indemnification form 3. Paying initiation fee and annual dues

Membership costs: - Regular: $45/year (+ $50 initiation) - Family: $50/year (+ $50 initiation) - Senior (65+): $40/year (+ $50 initiation) - Youth: $5/year (no initiation fee) - Lifetime: 20× current regular dues - Honorary (70+): By board request

"Any United States citizen or legal resident, eligible to possess a Massachusetts hunting, fishing, trapping, or sporting license may apply for membership." — Club bylaws

• •Address: 161 North Street, Plainfield, MA 01070

• •Mailing: P.O. Box 326, Ashfield, MA 01330

• •Email: [email protected]

• •Club President: Jack Shea, (413) 522-6150

The club does not maintain a phone line; email is the primary contact method.

Founded in 1920 and incorporated in 1929, club legend holds that members raised half the purchase price by passing a hat at a single meeting. The balance was mortgaged and paid off by raising Chain Pickerel and selling them to the state for fish stocking—a resourceful way to secure the property that became the club's home for nearly a century.

• •Find them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Ashfield-Rod-Gun-Club-389499441084693/