Bellaire Conservation Club-Indoor Pistol Range, many events, tree sale...
Bellaire Conservation Club: A Small Club Doing Big Things
I recently visited the Bellaire Conservation Club in Antrim County and learned that this little club is doing some very big things. In addition to renovating its indoor pistol range recently, the club hosts a Kids Fishing Day and sponsors kids to attend the MUCC Youth Camp and Tracks magazines for local Boy Scouts.
The 2013 Kids Fishing Day is held on the Michigan trout opener - the last Saturday in April - at the Meadow Brook Pond in Bellaire. Up to 1250 rainbow trout are supplied by the Jordan River National Fish Hatchery, and kids age 12 and under are invited to catch their limit of three fish each. Volunteers will be on hand to teach fishing technique.[Over 400 kids participated in last year's Kids Fish Day.] Over 400 kids participated in last year's Kids Fish Day.
The Bellaire Conservation Club is looking for donations and volunteers to help out with this event, which teaches kids to fish and provides them with a spark that can lead to a lifetime of fishing Michigan waters. Last year, over 400 kids attended and most caught their limit of fish. Prizes are awarded for the 10 largest fish, and everyone in attendance gets a tree to plant, which helps the kids make the connection between conservation and fishing.
The club's other conservation activities include helping with Hunter Safety, Youth and New Shooter Events, Boy Scout & 4-H Club, TheBabie Brookie program at the National Fish Hatchery, Boy Scout Klondike Derby shooting events, and their local Antrim County Petoskey Stone Festival at Barnes Park in Eastport.
Earlier this year, the club also renovated its indoor shooting range by adding soundproofing panels, pictured below.
[Bellaire Conservation Club members add soundproofing to the indoor pistol range.] Bellaire Conservation Club members add soundproofing to the indoor pistol range.
If you'd like to volunteer at the Kids Fish Day or contribute to the club's youth education initiatives, email BCC President Eldon McPherson at ekmcpherson@torchlake.com.
