Chester Rod & Gun Club
Chester Rod & Gun Club sits at 4137 VT Route 11 in Chester, Vermont—an all-volunteer shooting club that's been running clay and rifle sports for years. This is a membership-based operation, and they take their facilities and community seriously. The club offers multiple disciplines: Skeet and Trap S...
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Chester Rod & Gun Club sits at 4137 VT Route 11 in Chester, Vermont—an all-volunteer shooting club that's been running clay and rifle sports for years. This is a membership-based operation, and they take their facilities and community seriously.
The club offers multiple disciplines:
- •Skeet and Trap Shooting – Skeet, trap, trap doubles, and handicap trap year-round
- •Rifle & Pistol Ranges – 25-yard, 50-yard, and 100-yard shooting distances
| **Discipline** | **Days** | **Times** |
|---|---|---|
| Skeet/Trap/Trap Doubles/Handicap Trap | Sunday (year-round) | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Skeet/Trap | Tuesday & Thursday (May–October) | 3:00 PM – Dusk |
| Skeet/Trap | Wednesday (May–October) | 4:00 PM – Dusk |
As of September 2020, trap and skeet shooting costs $5 for members and $6 for non-members per shoot.
The club regularly hosts Vermont-certified hunter safety courses. These typically run 6 sessions plus one full Saturday session. Students must attend all classes to complete the course. Children under 16 need a parental consent form. Registration goes through the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website.
For course details and registration: Contact Paul Stoddard at 802-875-4616 (weekdays 8am-5pm) or check the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website.
The club holds its annual meeting on the third Wednesday of January each year. A potluck starts at 6pm, officer elections at 7pm, and the regular meeting follows at 7:30pm. This is where members vote on club business—membership dues have been discussed and adjusted here.
Chester Rod & Gun Club isn't just about shooting. They sponsor conservation education:
- •Green Mountain Conservation Camp Sponsorship – The club sponsors students to attend one-week conservation camps at Lake Bomoseen (Castleton) and Buck Lake (Woodbury). Campers learn fish and wildlife conservation, ecology, forestry, orienteering, safe firearm and archery techniques, swimming, canoeing, and fishing.
- •Children's Fishing Derby – Annual spring event at Chester Reservoir for kids of all ages
- •Annual Spring Cleanup Day – Members volunteer to maintain grounds, ranges, and facilities (typically held in May)
The club operates an active Building and Grounds Committee managing ongoing improvements:
- •Club building interior/exterior maintenance and painting
- •Trap range attenuation barrier repairs and fence work
- •Skeet range house exterior maintenance
- •Rifle and pistol range debris clearing and target backing support installation
The club is all-volunteer. The more people get involved, the faster projects move forward and the stronger the club stays.
Interested in helping? Contact committee members Harry Henderson (802-280-5871), Jerry Gleason (508-259-0687), or Martin Hewitt (914-772-1793). Skills like plumbing, electrical work, construction, or heavy equipment operation are always welcome.
Chester Rod & Gun Club
4137 VT Route 11 Chester, Vermont 05143 USA
The club operates in central Vermont, accessible from Chester. Being volunteer-run, hours and special events are announced through their website and announcements.