Fourtown/Grygla Sportsman’s Club plays active role in the community

The purpose of the Fourtown/Grygla Sportsman’s Club is to promote outdoor recreation in the community and surrounding area. Last Saturday, the club did just that. Members and volunteers gathered at Grande Corner to host a successful youth gun safety training.

After completing the appropriate coursework and taking a test, area youth went through a safety course that consisted of a variety of stations. The kids in attendance were able to practice shooting guns, after learning how to safely load/unload them. They were also able to get hands on training on safely climbing a tree stand and outfitting themselves with a safety harness. An assortment of targets were placed around the course, so the youth hunters could see and make decisions on what was or wasn’t safe to shoot. Before heading to their last stop, a clay pigeon shooting station, kids were taken into the woods and shown how to use a compass. 

Many volunteers were on hand to teach and show the young group the importance of safety when it comes to guns and hunting.

The Club was originally started in 1968/69 as the Fourtown Snowcat Club. Reorganized in 1985, it was named the Fourtown/Grygla Sportsman’s Club to broaden their focus. The organization has developed and maintained approximately 140 miles of snowmobile trails and 180 miles of ATV trails. They also support the local high school scholarship program and various local charities through fundraising efforts.

Some events the club coordinates, hosts or takes part in, includes: Membership Banquet, which is held in January at the Grygla Community Center; ATV Training, held in the spring at the Grygla School; Spring Picnic, held at Grande Corner; Grygla Fall Festival Parade and Demo; ATV Scavenger Hunt, held in late summer at Grande Corner; Gun Safety Training, held at Grande Corner in the fall; Fall Gun Raffle; Snowmobile Safety Training, held at the Grygla School; Snowmobile Trip.

Currently the club has 163 members, but typically gets closer to 200 by the end of the year. They are always looking for new members and new ideas to promote the local community.

Officers include: Jack Nelson, President; Donald Haack, Vice-President; Tonia Haack, Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Coordinator; Bob Thompson, Snowmobile Trail Coordinator; Ryan Petersburg, All-Terrain Vehicles Trail Coordinator.

Fourtown/Grygla Sportsman’s Club Board members: Kyle Haack, Jeremy Haack, Nick Harris, Sam Kofstad, Robby Anderson, Luke Nordvick, Loren Pittman.

Upcoming events include the Fall Gun Raffle. The drawing will be held November 21st at 9pm at the Fourtown Store. Tickets can be purchased from members and local businesses around Grygla. The cost is $5/ticket and winner need not be present to win.