Gilbert's Founding Members

(Albert, Mickey, and Shorty Gilbert, Harold (Bo) Soulliere and seveal others) started meeting in 1959. The meeting place was the basement of Gilbert's bar on Mack near St. Jean and were in Van Maele's Road and Gun Club. The Van Maeles and Gilberts were friends, in the bar business, and hunting partners.

The founding members decided to take it one step further and start Gilbert's Sportsman's Club. The original grounds on Omo Road in Macomb County was purchased in 1961 and had only one trap machine. Click here for a list of the original members. In 1971, the state of Michigan turned the area (including the club grounds) into the Wetzel State Game area. Gilbert's remained in Macomb County by purchasing the present grounds on a land contract. The original club house was built over several weekends and was only 24' X 24'. Three trap ranges, one skeet field, and a dance pavilion were also constructed. The club ran for ten years with approximately 35 members.

The next several years proved difficult for Gilbert's. The insurance company wanted $5,000 a year for shooting coverage. As a result, club members were not able to shoot on the grounds. Over the next several years, the famous Wild Game Dinners generated enough revenue to keep up with expenses. Occasionally, the club had to borrow money from club members, who were paid back after the dinners. After several years without shooting, the NRA came through with responsible insurance rates and shooting resumed.