PINE RIVER SPORTSMAN’S CLUB
FALL 2025 NEWSLETTER
MANY, MANY THANKS to all those who helped out at the club this year! Thanks to John D’Antoni, Tom Emerich, George Hamlin, Chris Kimberley and anyone else who helped maintain the traps. Thanks to all who showed up to unload the shipment of targets last August. Thanks to Larry VanTiem for keeping our lights in working order and for organizing old photos into albums. Our grass cutting gang kept the club ground looking top notch – thanks to Jerry Measel and his grandson, Steve Martin, and Tom Emerich. Chris Kimberley did a great job edging the walkways. Thanks to Tom Emerich and Scott Rogers for checking on the trap field drainage issues. A big thank you to Tom Emerich for all the general maintenance he does for the club! Thanks to anyone not mentioned above for helping our club!!
Membership Dues must be paid by the January 14th board/membership meetings. Regular members (18 to 64 years old) are $70; senior members (65+) are $35; the key is INCLUDED in the dues as long as you return your old key. Lost keys are $5. Junior dues (17 years old and under) are $15. Dues may be paid on Tuesday nights during trap shooting (5 to 6:30 pm), before or after our meetings on the second Wednesdays of the month (November 12th, December 10th, and January 14th), during Friday breakfasts (9 to 11 am) on January 2nd and January 9th, and on Sunday November 2nd from 12 noon to 3pm. Dues may be paid by mail but you will have to come to the club at a later date to obtain your key. There is a form with this newsletter to bring with you when you renew. We cap off membership at 325 members; we are close to that so be sure to renew if you want to remain in the club.
Note * Change in how Senior Dues are Determined – A person must be a member for the previous ten consecutive years to get the senior rate when they turn 65 years old. All 2025 members are grandfathered in (will get the senior rate automatically when they turn 65 years old).
Community Service and Charities – This past year we sponsored the scouts by allowing them to meet at our clubhouse. We have one scout currently working on her eagle project at the club. The St. Clair High School trap team practiced at our club this year and they had a good shooting season. We sponsored TRACKS magazines for the students at a local school and sponsored shooting trophies for the kids at the 4H Fair. Fifteen members and scouts participated in our annual road clean-up last spring. Seventeen bags of trash were collected off of Carriage Lane and a bit of Rattle Run Road. Our biggest charity we sponsor is Toys for Tots. There is a spot on your dues renewal form to make a contribution. The club voted to match the first $200 donated by members. There is also a collection box in the clubhouse if you would like to donate toys. Especially needed are items for teen boys (tools, sports equipment, backpacks, hygiene items, camping equipment, fishing poles, etc.) and books for all ages. The items will be taken to Toys for Tots in early December.
Trap Shooting is on Tuesday afternoons/evening and new this year is Friday trap shooting from 10 am to 12 noon. Cost per round is $5 members / $6 non-members. The club also purchased a wobble trap this year and a wobble league was shot this summer. Skeet is also open on Tuesdays. Thanks to John D’Antoni, George Hamlin, Tom Chauvin, Tom Emerich, and Chris Kimberley for all your help keeping everything running smoothly!
Last years Winter Trap League Winners were Pat Klug, Mike Klug, Chris Kimberley, Owen, and Rupert. One of our teams took second place at the Ambassador Shoot this past August shooting in tough conditions. We hosted a District 8 Summer Trap League day at our club and had a great day with great food! Thank you to the kitchen gals Lynn Rogers, Jill Measel, and Tracy Coverdill for making and donating the food.
District 8 Summer Trap League Results – One of our teams consisting of Marlene Bachand, Steve Martin, Sherry Martin, Dave Solgot, and John Coverdill took third place for total birds (2074). Dave Solgot, Hunter LeCluyse, Mike Kliemann, and John Coverdill (3x) shot 25 birds straight. Individual winners include Hunter LeCluyse 1st place junior (416); Sherry Martin 1st place veteran woman (406); Marlene Bachand 1st place senior veteran woman (384); Steve Martin 8th place top 10 and 1st place senior veteran (437); Dave Solgot 3rd place veteran (424); Mike Kliemann 2nd place senior veteran (428); Steve Ellery 5th place senior veteran (375); George Hamlin 7th place senior veteran (358); and Mark Taylor 8th place senior veteran (350).
Winter League for trap shooting will start on December 2nd. Shooting will be on the 16 and 20 yard lines. Prizes will be given to the top shooters at the end of the league and there will be random draws for prizes during the league. All skill levels are welcome to join the fun!
For Sale – The club has two Canterbury Traps for sale at $300 each. Come to a meeting or contact Tom Emerich if you would like to purchase one or both traps.
Spring Pistol League will start around the end of April and run every Thursday evening until June. The start time is 5pm but our pistol chairman is willing to adjust the start time so more members can participate. Contact Larry VanTiem or check the website for finalized information in the spring.
There is a Donation Tube on the rifle/pistol range. It is asked that non-member guests place a $5 or more donation in the tube to help with the costs of maintaining the range.
Archery – There is an archery practice area set up near the skeet house. Our archery chairperson, Mike Krul, needs help setting up a shooting range in the woods. Give him a call if you can help out!
Friday Breakfasts (AND a Couple of Saturdays, too!) – We again are going to have Friday breakfasts in January and February. FRIDAY dates are January 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th; February 6th and 13th. SATURDAY dates are February 20th and 27th. We are trying a couple Saturday dates so those who work during the week have an opportunity to join us! Time for all breakfasts will be 9am to 11am. Come early if you would like to help set up and cook. Thank you to Tom Emerich, Tom Sayers, Joe Grabowski, Steve Beatty, and the rest of the gang who helped in the kitchen!
Wild Game Dinner is Back! It will be held Sunday, March 1st starting at 1 pm. It is for members only and their guests. Suggested donation is $20 per person; $10 per person if you bring a passing dish. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the clubhouse if you are bringing something or would like to help with set-up or clean-up. We would like to get an idea of how many are coming so there is a space on your dues renewal form to save your seats! Thank you to Steve Ellery for setting this up and obtaining some great prizes!
The club grounds will be closed to shooting on November 15th, opening day of firearm deer season in order to give our neighbors the best chance at hunting success.
The club voted to no longer be affiliated with MUCC. Members are encouraged to join MUCC individually if so desired.
For Sale – Club T-shirts ($15), hats ($15), patches and decals ($3), and sweatshirts ($25) are available for purchase when you pay your dues or anytime the club is open for an event.
Nominations of Officers and Board Members will take place at the membership meeting on December 10th. Elections will be at the January 14th membership meeting. Come out and voice your opinion and support the club! If you would like to propose and run a club event such as a dinner, hunter education, youth day, swap meet, game night, etc., please come to a meeting and we will get you started!
CPL Classes – Give Dan Easterling a call at 810-329-2315 for information.
Our club is affiliated with CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program). Information is posted on the bulletin board in the club house.
Looking for Volunteers to Help a Local Ph.D. Student with her Research Study:
Seeking males, 20 years or older, who are Michigan residents and gun club members to do a short 6-question interview (phone, Zoom, or in-person). Names and gun clubs will remain anonymous in the study.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Holly Tatman at 810-488-1157 or email her at . Thank you in advance for your support of her research efforts.
Since the newsletter is only mailed once a year, Check our Websitewww.pineriversportsmans.com for information on events at the club! Check the DNR website for Michigan Hunter Education information.
Feel Free to Help! Sweep the floor or clean then bathrooms if it is needed. If you are the last person to leave the clubhouse, please make sure the lights are turned off, the doors are locked, the coffee pot is unplugged, and the heat is turned down. Thank you!
CONTACT INFORMATION
(if you have any problems or any questions)
President Jim Kuecken 810-765-5619
Vice-President Tom Emerich 810-488-0670
Secretary Nancy Klug 810-841-0068
Treasurer Mike Klug 810-841-3242
Trap/Youth Trap John D’Antoni 810-794-3332
CPL Classes Dan Easterling 810-329-2315
Pistol Larry VanTiem 810-637-8378
Rifle Sean VanTiem 810-358-3061
Skeet Chris Kimberley 810-343-0070
Archery Mike Krul 810-300-3779
CMP Bob Britz 810-329-9512
Board Members Ross Acre, Marleen Bachand, Bob Britz, Steve Beatty, Steve Ellery, Chuck Jasmin, Dave Solgot, Perry Wight