The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

The Big Sandy Gun Club is over 40 years old. The building was built in the '70s and the club was active way before that according to Steve Stilles. Besides Steve other club officers are Ken Martin and Brad Moore.

There are "30 some" members. It cost only $10 for a single membership for a year. For a family, you only have to pay $15 for membership. Grade school students can shoot at the club house, but must have an adult with them.

Weather permitting Steve goes out to the Shooting Range every Wednesday at 6:00. A member can choose between shoot, skeet, and trap. Shoot is shotgun shells. Skeet has 25 clay targets that come from eight different positions. It cost $4.00 a round for an adult and $3.00 a round for a child. Skeet can throw singles or double targets. Trap is 25 targets from only five different stations. People can buy shells at the gun range.

The rifle and pistol range is open all week. You have to bring your own targets and you have to pick up your own shells leaving the range clean. You must belong to the Big Sandy Gun club to use the range. The Big Sandy Gun club does belong to the NRA because they use them for their insurance. You do not necessarily have to belong to the NRA privately to be a member.

Steve said, "If somebody is embarrassed by their shooting they shouldn't be, because when I first started I was horrible and now I'm pretty proficient. There is always someone out there that will help you. Lessons are free for every age. Steve loves the sport and hopes to encourage others to patriciate. He was once asked if he would coach for Olympic Regional Teams.

According to the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) web page "Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) is proud to sponsor the largest and most exciting clay target program for youth in the United States."

"As the National Governing Body for the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP), they provide kids from elementary grades through high school and college with the opportunity to participate in the fun and challenging sports of Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays, as well as the Olympic disciplines of Bunker Trap, Trap Doubles and International Skeet. SSSF is the official feeder program to USA Shooting and a path to the U.S. Olympic Shooting Team. There are eight scholastic teams found across the state of Montana"

It is time to renew interest in the gun club. No reason not to have a scholastic team in Big Sandy where they can have competitive shooting around the state. There are actual college scholarships available for a student.

The building needs to be repainted and with the costs of maintaining etc. the dues simply do not cover the cost of running the club house. So, private funds, from passionate enthusiasts support the future of the gun club. Time for renewal!