ARGYLE - Argyle Rod & Gun Club officials predict there will be few empty seats when the organization celebrates at its 16th Annual Sportsman's Banquet, Jan. 26. Attendance has held steady, organizers say, despite the economic downturn that has affected many other organizations.
In addition to the vast array of sporting opportunities available through the club, one only need look to the rich traditions that have evolved since the organization was formed in 1922 to understand its appeal to sportsmen and women. While there are few written records of those early days, the names of those who have made the group famous pop up often in conversation.
Doral Erickson of Argyle joined the group as a teenager in 1944. "I scraped up $1 and joined," he said with a laugh. "I started out helping with the (annual) fish fry," Erickson said. "At first they fried up smelt, then went to walleye."
"We did that for several decades," he added, before turning it over to another local group.
In addition to local events, Erickson recalled trips to other parts of the state to take part in various tournaments. A team including Vernus "Yug" Nelson, George "Doc" Zinky and Robert "Bob" Flint traveled to Milwaukee in 1965 where they won the Class C event.
While Erickson's memory is somewhat vague about the details of the tournament, his thoughts are clear about the boys eating some rather tart green tomato pickles along the way. "They would bite back," he quipped.
A plaque commemorating the victory hangs on the wall of the current Rod & Gun Club building located on State Hwy. 81 between Argyle and Monroe.
Ron Aebly is another expert shooter often mentioned. "He once hit 225 straight," said Greg Stamm, a longtime member of the board of directors. Another noted that Aebly "couldn't hit the broad side of a barn when he first started, but he soon got the hang of it." Club members are quick to offer assistance to first time shooters who are welcome to join the club at any time.
Erickson also recalls how the club once built a cement fishpond located near the current municipal building in Argyle. "The water came from overflow from the artesian well," he said.
Trout raised in the pond were released into area streams. The project ended when state mandates forced the village to go to deep wells for its water.
The group's pheasant raising operation that began in the 1930's continues to thrive, however. Club members band more than 1,000 birds each year for release on both private and public lands, including the Browntown-Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area.
Contacts from hunters who have shot the birds offer some interesting anecdotes. One response came from a hunter in the Mt. Horeb area. "It was back in the '80's," said Stamm. "The bird was released out at Merlin Dammen's (west of Argyle). The guy sent back the tag and gave us a nice donation."
A mix of younger members and long-serving veterans strive to keep the organization responsive to the needs of the outdoor enthusiast. The club offers its facility for Hunter Education instruction and hosts youth hunts for turkeys and pheasants each year.
In addition to trap shoots and practice rounds the last Sunday of each month, the club hosts a "Cabin Fever Reliever" in February, the Zor Shrine Shoot in March and the annual Memorial Day Shoot. Pheasants Forever also holds a target-shooting event in July.
Another affiliate, the South Central Wisconsin Archers, conduct all of its outside activities at the site, including the Midwest Archers Championships held last year. According to SCWA President Kevin Winkler, the facility is "one of the finest in the Midwest."
The club has also forged an important relationship with the Pecatonica River Coon Hunters. That group chipped in substantial dollars to help with the purchase of the club's property now totaling 80 acres. The acreage allows ample room for a 50-bird, eight-station sporting clays course described as a "scenic, park-like atmosphere in which to shoot."
The club recently purchased a top-of-the-line Pat-Trap target thrower with the intent to purchase another soon. And a 100-bird trap shoot is on the list of potential new ventures to meet what officials say is a renewed interest in trap shooting.
Tickets to the banquet may still be available for $55, which includes a sumptuous meal at Lelle's Bar and Supper Club in Woodford, membership to the Rod & Gun Club and a chance to win numerous door prizes. Call Mike Pederson at 543-3781 or Harold Marzolf at 325-9827 for more information. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Grand Raffle tickets offering a chance to win one of 10 of the latest model firearms are also available at the following locations: Lelle's, Cash's Bar in Argyle, The Squeaky Wheel Saloon in Hollandale, Sportz Page Bar in Argyle, Skip's Friendly Village Inn in Afton and Mathy's Ace Hardware in Darlington. Grand Raffle ticket holders need not be present to win.
For more information about the Argyle Rod & Gun Club, visit its Web site at www.argylegunclub.com.
- Lee Fahrney is the Monroe Times outdoors writer. He can be reached at (608) 967-2208 or at fiveoaks@mhtc.net.
In addition to the vast array of sporting opportunities available through the club, one only need look to the rich traditions that have evolved since the organization was formed in 1922 to understand its appeal to sportsmen and women. While there are few written records of those early days, the names of those who have made the group famous pop up often in conversation.
Doral Erickson of Argyle joined the group as a teenager in 1944. "I scraped up $1 and joined," he said with a laugh. "I started out helping with the (annual) fish fry," Erickson said. "At first they fried up smelt, then went to walleye."
"We did that for several decades," he added, before turning it over to another local group.
In addition to local events, Erickson recalled trips to other parts of the state to take part in various tournaments. A team including Vernus "Yug" Nelson, George "Doc" Zinky and Robert "Bob" Flint traveled to Milwaukee in 1965 where they won the Class C event.
While Erickson's memory is somewhat vague about the details of the tournament, his thoughts are clear about the boys eating some rather tart green tomato pickles along the way. "They would bite back," he quipped.
A plaque commemorating the victory hangs on the wall of the current Rod & Gun Club building located on State Hwy. 81 between Argyle and Monroe.
Ron Aebly is another expert shooter often mentioned. "He once hit 225 straight," said Greg Stamm, a longtime member of the board of directors. Another noted that Aebly "couldn't hit the broad side of a barn when he first started, but he soon got the hang of it." Club members are quick to offer assistance to first time shooters who are welcome to join the club at any time.
Erickson also recalls how the club once built a cement fishpond located near the current municipal building in Argyle. "The water came from overflow from the artesian well," he said.
Trout raised in the pond were released into area streams. The project ended when state mandates forced the village to go to deep wells for its water.
The group's pheasant raising operation that began in the 1930's continues to thrive, however. Club members band more than 1,000 birds each year for release on both private and public lands, including the Browntown-Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area.
Contacts from hunters who have shot the birds offer some interesting anecdotes. One response came from a hunter in the Mt. Horeb area. "It was back in the '80's," said Stamm. "The bird was released out at Merlin Dammen's (west of Argyle). The guy sent back the tag and gave us a nice donation."
A mix of younger members and long-serving veterans strive to keep the organization responsive to the needs of the outdoor enthusiast. The club offers its facility for Hunter Education instruction and hosts youth hunts for turkeys and pheasants each year.
In addition to trap shoots and practice rounds the last Sunday of each month, the club hosts a "Cabin Fever Reliever" in February, the Zor Shrine Shoot in March and the annual Memorial Day Shoot. Pheasants Forever also holds a target-shooting event in July.
Another affiliate, the South Central Wisconsin Archers, conduct all of its outside activities at the site, including the Midwest Archers Championships held last year. According to SCWA President Kevin Winkler, the facility is "one of the finest in the Midwest."
The club has also forged an important relationship with the Pecatonica River Coon Hunters. That group chipped in substantial dollars to help with the purchase of the club's property now totaling 80 acres. The acreage allows ample room for a 50-bird, eight-station sporting clays course described as a "scenic, park-like atmosphere in which to shoot."
The club recently purchased a top-of-the-line Pat-Trap target thrower with the intent to purchase another soon. And a 100-bird trap shoot is on the list of potential new ventures to meet what officials say is a renewed interest in trap shooting.
Tickets to the banquet may still be available for $55, which includes a sumptuous meal at Lelle's Bar and Supper Club in Woodford, membership to the Rod & Gun Club and a chance to win numerous door prizes. Call Mike Pederson at 543-3781 or Harold Marzolf at 325-9827 for more information. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Grand Raffle tickets offering a chance to win one of 10 of the latest model firearms are also available at the following locations: Lelle's, Cash's Bar in Argyle, The Squeaky Wheel Saloon in Hollandale, Sportz Page Bar in Argyle, Skip's Friendly Village Inn in Afton and Mathy's Ace Hardware in Darlington. Grand Raffle ticket holders need not be present to win.
For more information about the Argyle Rod & Gun Club, visit its Web site at www.argylegunclub.com.
- Lee Fahrney is the Monroe Times outdoors writer. He can be reached at (608) 967-2208 or at fiveoaks@mhtc.net.
