Our History

The following Historical perspective of the Rural Sportsmen's Association is from an Article written by George L. Harting, a writer for the East Penn Press. The year in which he wrote it is unknown. The original article hangs in the Clubhouse.

Please note that since this has been written significant changes have take place at the club including elimination of the rifle range, change in number of traps and skeet fields, change in shooting hours, the amount of property owned and the buildings and facilities. However, the club continues to welcome all new and experienced trap and skeet shooters. Also fishing is still a club staple and also offers an archery field. Please refer to additional details on this site.

From the East Penn Parkland Press

Outdoor Accents - Rural has long history

Editor's note: This is the third article in a series spotlighting the Parklands area's sportsmen's club This week the Rural Sportsman's Association of Upper Macungie Township is featured.

By George L. Harting, East Penn Press Writer

A moment of silence was observed. The date was Monday, Feb. 25, the place was the Rural Sportsman's Club in Trexlertown. While conducting regular monthly meeting, President Ray Beiber called the members to silence.

The object was to memorialize the passing of charter member Ralph Lichtenwalner. Their respected, long time member served the club for 30 years as its recording secretary. Lichtenwalner also was deputy conservation officer and a field worker for the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

The Rural Sportsmen's Association's beginnings trace back to the early 30s. One among this organizations group, Curtis Hendricks, a charter member is a survivor.

Early meetings were held at the W.S. Hall Company property. The club incorporated on the second day of May, 1938. In 1944 the organization purchased the 24 acre tract located in Trexlertown. The club acquired an army barracks and moved it to its present location. The spacious structure still serves membership well. With the pressure of entertaining inter-club skeet and trap competition growing, a substantial addition was constructed in 1964. The enlarged facility enables the club to extend its welcome to the larger competitive decisions.

Additional land acquired through the years

Rural acquired two additional tracts of land attached to the club location. Fourteen acres of swamp land and 11 aces of woodland remain undeveloped. They serve to provide habitat for the propagation of wildlife.

Fishing opportunities

Because of the club's location at a rather low elevation, springs feeding a small creek have been utilized to develop a pond. Its water quality is suitable to support a broad based variety of game and fish. Each year 1,800 trout are stocked; the purchase includes brown, brook, and rainbow species. In addition to these cold water species, catfish, bass and pan fish are introduced annually.

An important event for members is the annual fishing contest. In addition, a day is set aside for kids. Children of club members get their chance to compete with each other and wary fin families that inhabit the pond.

Skeet meets a specialty

Weekends become busy times at Rural. The club maintains five skeet houses and six trap fields. All facilities are equipped with automatic traps. The Trexlertown-based organization entertains registered skeet shoots on national and state levels Because of Rural's sprawling acres, it is one of only four local clubs with adequate facilities to host the Lehigh Valley trap shoots. A rifle range featuring 100 and 200 yard targets is also in place.

In addition to entertaining organized competition, the club has produced worthy participants. Bieber for example, was a competent competitor. He was active through 1976. I 1975 he was a 20-gauge Senior runner-up, 12-gauge Senior champ, 410 senior and high overall. In 1976 he was the 12-guage Senior champ and high overall. In 1973 Rural's five-man team was rated 12-gauge Class A, second: 28-gauge Class A, second: and 410-gauge Class B, second.

Promotional Projects

In addition to developing habitat for game on their undisturbed acres, Rural each year makes a $1000 contribution to the Wildlands Conservancy Fund. Such contributions along with those of other clubs and individuals, have added thousands of acres to Pennsylvania Game Lands. Each year under the leadership of Henry Brizzolara and the local conservation officer, a hunter-trapper course is conducted for first time hunters.

Spring inaugurates shooting season

Come April gun cabinets will be visited by shooting enthusiasts. Trap field and skeet houses will be readied for action. Because of other encroachment by diversified recreational field, Rural has retired two of its skeet houses. Shooting will happen, however each Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

Membership is open

In round numbers, Rural's enrollment stands at 1,000 members. On the night of my visit 22 new members were enrolled. This sportsman's club has a great deal to offer outdoor enthusiasts. Similarly, Rural is the catalyst through which local enthusiasts can make a contribution to the future of hunting and fishing in our area.