by Mark Oswald, President, Ravalli County Fish and Wildlife Association
The Ravalli County Fish and Wildlife Association would like to go on record to support keeping the Hamilton Trap Club at the Hamilton Airport open for as long as possible. The current lease is due to expire on October 1, 2027.
We encourage the Commissioners to keep the current site open until a suitable alternative can be found and the club relocated. The Hamilton Trap Club is an important organization in our community and needs to be saved.
The Hamilton Trap Club has been in operation since 1947, and a fixture in the community for local sportsmen and women to practice their skills. As important as honing skill, the club provides a safe learning environment for our youth shooting sports. Both the Bitterroot Blasters (a youth shooting team), and the High School Rodeo Association trap shooting competition use the facility for practice and competitions. On May 21 the club will team with the Corvallis Sports and Outdoors Program to educate the kids about firearm safety. The Trap Club is open to all who would like to participate in the shotgun sports.
The Hamilton Trap Club is important to the community for the hosting of fundraisers. Last May 4th the club hosted the “Shriners Shoot” and has been doing so for the last 19 years. Eighty shooters from all over the region competed and earned $12,280 to pay travel, food and lodging expenses for families that need to travel to the Shriners Children’s Hospital in Spokane. All proceeds stay in the valley. In the past 19 years, $160,000 have been raised to support the Shriners families.
Please join along with the Ravalli County Fish and Wildlife Association and call, write, and voice your support for the Hamilton Trap Club to the Ravalli County Commissioners to keep the Trap Club open for as long as possible, until an alternative location can be provided. Help Promote the safe and responsible use of firearms, a truly wholesome, all-inclusive sport.