How many shooting clubs can you name that have been in continuous operation for the past ninety-three years? Milford Gun Club located in Milford, Ohio can make that claim. Oh if the walls could talk.
Most of the history I find out about the club comes from a few eighty year old trapshooters who first visited the club back in the late sixties and early seventies. At that time this club had three traps and money shoots were the name of the game. It has evolved from that time to only have one operating trap along with two skeet fields (one wobble skeet) and one five stand. But back in the day, the money flowed like the Little Miami River that borders the club. And it was just not shooting money. The poker games were high stakes and seldom broke up before sunrise.
Milford Gun Club is a private club. It is not, however, a club that you need know someone in high places just to join.
They are very welcoming and invite you to fill out an application should you request one. I sometimes say that Milford is actually three clubs in one. First, it is indeed a shotgun sports only shooting club. Second, it is a bird dog training ground and park. It is most common to see bird dogs roaming around on the grounds with their owners. And third, it is a cigar club. Cigars are the vice of the day at this gun club and more than one member has been seen shooting with one hanging out of their mouth. How they do that is beyond me as I would surely burn myself or swallow the damn thing. But the members that practice this just smoke the targets, when you watch you just shake your head.
Targets just recently wet up from $3.50 to $4.50 and you purchase a “shooting card” with ten dots and punch your card when you complete a round. It is on the honor system and everyone understands what a bargain it is and no one ever fails to record their round. Annual dues are around $165.00 per year.
The club is open three days a week, Wednesday and Sunday from noon till evening and Saturday shooting starts at ten in the morning. The club is very social, everyone pretty much knows everyone and club social functions are many. There are always cakes, brownies, nuts, chips etc. etc. on the clubhouse table for all to enjoy, all donated by members.
The club is also a MEC dealer and will sell reloading supplies to the public. Prior to Covid you could buy anything to your hearts desire, but when things got tight the club restricted quantities to insure the membership would have enough to keep shooting.
If you could ever call a shooting club “laid back” Milford Gun Club would be first on the list. You are only a stranger once at Milford, after that you are family.
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At one time, shoot offs took place from the balcony of the clubhouse.
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The one remaining trap.
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There are actually more skeet shooters than trapshooters at Milford.
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The five stand course is the least used behind skeet and trap.
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Side door to the clubhouse from the parking lot.
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Always someone around to shoot the bull.
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Sitting by the gas fire is a joy after freezing your ass off shooting in February.
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The club has a separate lounge area with satellite tv and there is always a game on every Sunday.
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Lead and shells are always available at the club as are powder and wads.
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Milford Gun Club is a club that time forgot. The place takes you back to a simpler time, a time of camaraderie and social graces. A day spent shooting at this club refreshes your outlook on life and makes you feel that there is hope after all for mankind.
And in that regard, it is one in a million.
Back to the motor coach Haversham, we have places to visit.
Most of the history I find out about the club comes from a few eighty year old trapshooters who first visited the club back in the late sixties and early seventies. At that time this club had three traps and money shoots were the name of the game. It has evolved from that time to only have one operating trap along with two skeet fields (one wobble skeet) and one five stand. But back in the day, the money flowed like the Little Miami River that borders the club. And it was just not shooting money. The poker games were high stakes and seldom broke up before sunrise.
Milford Gun Club is a private club. It is not, however, a club that you need know someone in high places just to join.
They are very welcoming and invite you to fill out an application should you request one. I sometimes say that Milford is actually three clubs in one. First, it is indeed a shotgun sports only shooting club. Second, it is a bird dog training ground and park. It is most common to see bird dogs roaming around on the grounds with their owners. And third, it is a cigar club. Cigars are the vice of the day at this gun club and more than one member has been seen shooting with one hanging out of their mouth. How they do that is beyond me as I would surely burn myself or swallow the damn thing. But the members that practice this just smoke the targets, when you watch you just shake your head.
Targets just recently wet up from $3.50 to $4.50 and you purchase a “shooting card” with ten dots and punch your card when you complete a round. It is on the honor system and everyone understands what a bargain it is and no one ever fails to record their round. Annual dues are around $165.00 per year.
The club is open three days a week, Wednesday and Sunday from noon till evening and Saturday shooting starts at ten in the morning. The club is very social, everyone pretty much knows everyone and club social functions are many. There are always cakes, brownies, nuts, chips etc. etc. on the clubhouse table for all to enjoy, all donated by members.
The club is also a MEC dealer and will sell reloading supplies to the public. Prior to Covid you could buy anything to your hearts desire, but when things got tight the club restricted quantities to insure the membership would have enough to keep shooting.
If you could ever call a shooting club “laid back” Milford Gun Club would be first on the list. You are only a stranger once at Milford, after that you are family.
At one time, shoot offs took place from the balcony of the clubhouse.
The one remaining trap.
There are actually more skeet shooters than trapshooters at Milford.
The five stand course is the least used behind skeet and trap.
Side door to the clubhouse from the parking lot.
Always someone around to shoot the bull.
Sitting by the gas fire is a joy after freezing your ass off shooting in February.
The club has a separate lounge area with satellite tv and there is always a game on every Sunday.
Lead and shells are always available at the club as are powder and wads.
Milford Gun Club is a club that time forgot. The place takes you back to a simpler time, a time of camaraderie and social graces. A day spent shooting at this club refreshes your outlook on life and makes you feel that there is hope after all for mankind.
And in that regard, it is one in a million.
Back to the motor coach Haversham, we have places to visit.
