About the Club
Excerpt on the history of the club (author and date unknown)��…..
BELLWOOD SPORTSMEN
Bellwood’s location in the heart of the mountain district makes it only natural that good hunting and fishing may be enjoyed close home, consequently this town numbers a great many anglers and nimrods. Quite a number of local men had from time to time been affiliated with out-of-town sportsmen’s clubs but the activities of these clubs never had much affect on the hunting and fishing conditions of this vicinity. It became apparent that without organization nothing is ever gained and this town needed an organization of its own. With this end in view a small group of sportsmen talked over the situation and decided to attempt forming and organization. A meeting was held in the Cornmesser building with a great show of enthusiasm. Around 75 members were enrolled that evening. With new members coming in steadily the enrollment went over the 200 mark before the next meeting. Last year the membership went over the 600 mark.
Officers were elected and committees appointed to draw up a constitution, make by-laws and secure a charter. It was voted to name the organization the Bellwood Sportsmen’s Association.
The results brought about by the association the first year was amazing and this club has gained some real recognition with the Game Commissions. Many shipments of fish were received and distributed in nearby streams, also shipments of rabbits, ring-neck pheasants, coon, turkey and quail arrived from time to time and were liberated in the surrounding mountains and woodlands. Other conservation work carried on by the organization has been: the erecting of retard dams and stream improvement on some of our local trout streams, feeding the game birds during the winter months, establishing deer licks, promoting an bird box contest and placing signs for game protection at different points on the mountains.
The club purchased a tract of land north of the borough several years ago and constructed a dam for fishing purposes. The famous St. Patrick’s Day flood washed out this dam but plans are underway to reconstruct it and make the site into a recreation park.
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