Established in 1920s, Fort Colville Gun Club is nestled about three miles east of town Colville and has been the place to for local outdoor enthusiasts to gather on a weekend in appropriate attire, shining L.C. Smiths, Parkers, and the more popular Brownings, Winchesters and Remingtons.
“My grandpa, my dad and I, were all presidents at one time or another” said Bill Campbell, adding that when he was a little kid, he used to be a trapper. For those of us who do not go back that far, a ‘trapper’ was the person in the trap-house loading clays and pulling the cord when the shooter called or yelled “PULL”. Bill also recalls the times he made more money than his dad did just pulling targets on weekends and at times his dad borrowed money from little Billy.
At it’s peak, the club had over three hundred members. Now that might not seem like a large number, but keep mind that at that time, Colville only had about four thousand people.
Since then a lot has happened; a new club house was built after a fire destroyed the original log one, five cement trap houses were built, two skeet fields were built, a 100 yard rifle range was set up, six R.V. spaces were put in place, as well a hand gun range should be complete by early summer 2011 .
“The club is making changes which definitely help build not only the 4-H program, but other youth programs as well” said 4-H certified instructor Jerry Cline
The club is home to the local 4-H, FFA, Scouts and SCTP shotgun programs and holds several one day events for these organizations throughout the year. For more about Washington's youth clay target program, please visit www.wasctp.com.
Fort Colville has been getting a lot of support from the NSSF, NSSA, ATA, NSCA, WSSA, Briley, SSSF, White Flyer, Remington, Winchester, Henry Repeating Arms, Ruger, Marlin, Smith & Wesson, Colt, Browning, Otis, Clark’s All Sports, The Statesman Review newspaper, Colville Chamber of Commerce, Colville Rotary, Colville Knights of Columbus, Safari Club International and other local businesses. We appreciate everyone’s input and support. It makes a huge difference when people see that these manufacturers are willing to help rebuild a small club like ours; it gives us more credibility.
Come visit us and enjoy the fastest growing sport in the world...clay target shooting. More youth and women are starting to participate in the clay target sports than men...80%, according to the Natioanl Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). One of the main reasons is that age, gender nor physical strenght or skill have any direct impact on success. It is a sport in which the whole family can participate in as well a sport that will ensure a life time of fun.
Hours of Operation
Thursday: 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm Skeet & Trap
Sunday - 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Skeet,Trap,
2:30 am - 4:00 pm Rifle & Handgun
Sunday is the only day that the public can use the rifle and handgun range. .
For certified instruction, please visit your particluar venue tab.
