In 1941 the Club started in the basement of the
Bethlehem Presbyterian Church on Rt 94 heading into Washingtonville NY as a 22 league; hence the name.
Our first deed in Plattekill (for 86 acres) was 1984; with our current club house built in 1985.
We currently own 7 parcels of land totaling 186 acres.
Members enjoy; hunting, fishing, trap, pistol & rifle range, archery, and boating.
March Membership Meeting Saturday, March 20th @ 2:00 PM
Just a few reminders for the first General Membership Meeting of 2021
We had a small work party and made some more cover for the fish. We rebuilt some crappie house and then placed them on the ice. Present: Pete Criscs, Mike Barton JoJo Bellis, Bob Bready. Title: Refurbishing Crappie Houses
Contact Mike Barton @845-489-1358 if you have questions.
Bounty of the Harvest Game Dinner
May 15 2021 3-7PM
Bring your best Dish
Donate some game meat, fish or fowl
for one of our Chefs to Create an awesome meal
Drawings will continue at next meeting.
On Oct 17th, 2020, Bethlehem Rod and Gun Club hosted its annual Pheasant Youth Hunt. We had 6 young hunters come out to start the day. Three additional youngsters joined us for the afternoon hunt. The Club dedicated to youth hunters only. All hunters were required to have hunter safety, a NYS hunting license and had to wear hunter orange. NYS made it easier to take Hunter Education this year by allowing it to be taken on-line. I hear it was not a breeze to get thru the class, but it was a thorough course. The youth who came are Jason Baird, Mackenzie Guinto, Giuseppe Palladino, Anthony Schetter, Chris Schetter, Conner Wright, and Sean Wright.
The day started with juice, coffee and donuts with a history of pheasant and pheasant hunting in New York State. The youth then learned why and how to stock the pheasants. At 9AM the hunting kicked off. The dogs found the birds and the kids got to shoot plenty. We restocked the fields throughout the morning, so the youth had plenty of opportunities. There was the state legal limit of two pheasants per day and we allowed two chukar as well. This was the same as for regular members throughout the season. The youth had a great time. The weather was cooperative and many of the youth shot the limit. Three arrived late and hunted the afternoon with a few from the morning who had not shot their limit. More birds were stocked for the afternoon for any adults and the youth. Thanks to all the adults who came out to volunteer and for bringing their dogs. A particular thanks to the dogs who came and hunted hard for the kids.
Photos taken by Joe Valastro
Photos by Joseph Valastro
2020 agreement has been agreed upon for pheasant land to hunt.
Please click on details below:
Directions
Schedule
Bird Lease Rules
Farm Parking
In order to learn the property come with another member who has been here before or contact Bob Bready.
Any questions, or concerns, please
direct them to:
Bob Bready
Pheasant Chairperson
845-883-5935
bjbready@aol.com
Jeff Pearl spaguy11@gmail.com
Bethlehem Rod and Gun Club is a member of Tri-County Archers Association. The archery committee is co-chaired by Edward Malle and Bob Hillerio. As a reminder, every person using the facility, must sign in. Members are responsible for the actions of their guests
Archery is believed to the first step in the shooting sports. Well before pellet, BB and paintball, this is where youth are first exposed to how much fun and challenging the shooting sports can be.
The Bethlehem Rod and Gun Club hosts four 3D archery shoots each year and is looking to expand its program. The Archery Committee is supported by the club and club event fees. We do not to charge kids under 12 at our events and members participate at discounted fees.
Archery Committee
I am proud to say the Bethlehem Rod and Gun Club has a very active archery committee. The goal of the Archery committee is to expose youth to the outdoors and to encourage others to enjoy the sport of archery through education and instruction in a safe environment. Each 3D event is supported by volunteers and instructors who are dedicated to the advancement of archery as a means to build confidence in young children and individuals who are new to archery.
The work of the Archery Committee includes the design and construction of the course, trail clearing, marking the course, maintaining the targets, conducting the 3D shoots and breaking down the course. There are ample opportunities to complete the mandatory work requirement within the archery program.
Range
The Archery Range features a 60 yard range with yard markers every 10 yards. The main range includes two large bag targets for bows and crossbows and a separate target for broadheads (during hunting season). On occasion, a 3D target is set out for the members and guests to use. Broadheads are allowed on the range but only on the designated target. Cross bows are allowed at the range, bag targets only.
Equipment
We are currently looking to expand our inventory in order to have bows, arrows and targets for our youth and members new to the sport of archery to utilize. Sponsors are welcome.
3D Shoots / Course
The 3D course has evolved over the years and currently occupies the side of a large ridge. This gives us a very scenic, well wooded terrain with a variety of elevation changes. We allow the terrain to dictate the placement of our targets with the intent to mimic real life scenarios. The club is proud to display Rinehart targets. Our 3D shoots are open to the general public. The course has 30 stations with approximately 36 – 40 targets. Only field point arrows are permitted on the 3D course. The course is open to the members throughout the summer.
We look forward to new members becoming familiar with the course and the property through sharing of the work load and participating in the shoots. All the 3D shoots are on Sundays. We set up on the Saturday before the shoot . Registration for the shoots is Sunday morning at 7:00 AM. Registration ends at 12:00 noon and the course closes at 2:00 PM. We collect a couple of targets, bring in the signs and general clean up and end approximately 3pm
Tri-County Archers
Tri County Archers consists of five sportsmen’s clubs located in Orange, Ulster and Sullivan counties, in New York. The schedule and directions to each participating club may be found at our website also. Each club conducts an average of four 3-D archery shoots between April and September. The Tri County Archers Association has responsibility for promoting and advertising the various 3D shoots. This is accomplished through web, Facebook, word of mouth, email and newspaper. Funds for advertising are raised from the annual Father’s Day shoot which boasts 40 stations, wide selection of food and drink and possible prizes.
The Tri-County Archers include the following clubs:
Links to more information
Click here for information on BRAGC Archery Range
Click here for Introduction to 3D Shooting
Click here for information to BRGC 3D Course
Click here for the 2021 3-D Shoot Schedule and Club Directions
Bethlehem Rod and Gun Club
Trap Range Covid 19 Rules
Due to the Covid19 pandemic, we will be having trap starting on the 14 June 2020 (10-2PM). Then Mondays 5PM to 9PM. These are the rules we will be following during all the Trap Shoots to protect our members and guest.
There will be no more than 12 people at the trap range area at one time. This will consist of 5 members shooting, 1 scorer in the booth, 5 members at the tables under the canopies waiting to shoot. All others will wait at their vehicles or under the pavilion.
The scorer will call the next 5 members to shoot from the booth. The next shooters will move from the tables and take their place at the stations. The next round of shooters will then move to the tables.
Social Distancing will be followed when possible.
Mask will be encouraged everywhere that Social Distancing cannot be followed. Keep in mind that the shooter stands are not 6 feet apart, so mask will be worn at your discretion.
I would like to thank everyone for your cooperation during the trying times. Hopefully, we can get back to our normal routine soon.
Having some Fun – Photos by Rich Toombs
Michael Hall – 845-565-5881
Jim Hutlock and I, Debbie Foster, would like to thank each and everyone of our club members, who helped on Oct.18, with the kids fishing derby. We could not have done it without you. Our club members pulled together and showed everyone a good time, it was an awesome family day . So again thank you all for pitching in…
JIM HUTLOCK & Debbie Foster
845-245-0341
With heavy hearts, the Officers and Directors of Bethlehem Rod & Gun Club announce the passing of Life Member Francesco “Frank” Esposito, Member Carlton “Carl” E. O’Flanagan, and Life Member Carl A. Stillwaggon
Life Member Francesco “Frank” Esposito
7-5-1946 – 11-6-2020
Francesco “Frank” Esposito 74 years old, of Newburgh, NY, a 44 year member, joined in 1976. Frank enjoyed fishing and hunting for pheasant, he was born July 5, 1946 in Naples, Italy, and moved to New York in 1961, living in Newburgh over 50 years, Frank worked as a Presser/Cutter at the West Point Tailor Shop for 27 years.
Member Carlton “Carl” E. O’Flanagan
5-3-1944 – 9-4-2020
Carlton “Carl” E. O’Flanagan 76 years old, of Newburgh, NY, a 9 year member, joined in 2011 and chaired the Nominating Committee. Carl was a proud and decorated Vietnam Veteran, serving 3 tours, and was honorably discharged as Captain.
Life Member Carl A. Stillwaggon
9-14-1930 – 7-30-2019
Carl A. Stillwaggon 88 years old, of Newburgh, NY, a 26 year Life member, joined in 1993. Carl was also a life member and Past Chief of the Cronomer Valley Fire Department, and served in the Army in Korea 1950-1952.
Please keep Frank Esposito, Carl O’Flanagan, and Carl Stillwaggon and their families in your thoughts and prayers.
A Lighted Candle In Memory of Our Departed Club Members
