Western Clinton Sportsmen’s Association Needs Your Support
To the Editor:
The end of an era or a dawn of a new day will soon be determined by how the community rallies behind the Western Clinton Sportsman’s Association (WCSA) at its greatest time of need. An infusion of new energy and financial support is needed from its members both past and present along with other interested groups and persons. The selling or leasing of the building, shooting range and land that WCSA owns in Hyner, is now in discussion at our monthly meetings.
From its humble beginning as a sportsmen’s club, the WCSA over the years has grown and diversified from its original main focus of hunting and fishing. The organization has expanded its interests to encompass any outdoor sports activity. Most recently and perhaps most successful of all its endeavors is the addition of world-class running and hiking trail events. If the WCSA sells or leases its facility, the Hyner View Trail Challenge and the Prowl the Sproul will also be impacted or retired.
Although hunting and fishing interests are still considered as the backbone and core of the WCSA, the organization has to continually look at and promote other outdoor activities to sustain financial stability. Hunting and fishing alone can no longer be the mainstay, unless more members and leaders take charge to grow and promote those types of programs. Most of our programs are in decline while others have simply ceased to exist. That is in part as a result of the unfortunate loss of a few key committee members. The termination of the WCSA’s Megatransect Challenge, which was the result of land use conflicts with the City of Lock Haven Water District, was another major loss for fund raising.
The volunteer efforts of this nonprofit organization has had a positive impact on the local economy as well as a source of great pride as an example of being a well managed entity. The local community involvement has been responsible for a large part of the WCSA’s success over the years. However your continued support is needed now more than ever. If you would like to be an active force, become a member or serve on the board, please Contact the president Ray Werts at (570) 923-0376 or email rwerts11060@comcast.net. If your club or organization would like to join forces with the WCSA, please feel free to share your ideas with Ray.
We have many positions open that must be filled, Treasurer, Membership committee, Shooting range chair person, Information and education committee, Grounds and building keeper, Wildlife feeding chair, are just a few positions that MUST be filled. Also 3-D archery, hang gliding, snowmobiles, ATVs, are a few examples of groups that are presently not being represented or promoted by the WCSA. Financial support can be made through donations, membership dues or the purchase of raffle tickets for various items and upcoming events that are held throughout the year.
So it looks like it comes down to a simple question. Do you want to see the WCSA Hyner complex survive? Or would you be happy with us going back to our roots. If you would like to see the Hyner complex survive, WCSA needs people, people that are willing to sacrifice their time and effort to keep a tradition alive.
Until we get this problem solved we will be holding monthly meeting at our Hyner complex every month on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. Please come and voice you option, voluntary your time lets save the Hyner complex.
In closing WCSA would like to thank you all for your past support, maybe we have just out grew our little voluntary population or maybe hunting and fishing as we once knew it is dying. We are just not sure what the answer is but at this point we know we must come up with a solution before it is too late and we lose everything.
The Western Clinton Sportsman’s Association values your support and hopes to remain as a venue and promoter of ALL outdoor recreation in Clinton County.
Ray Werts
President WCSA
