WILTON – Wilton Fish & Game members are pleased to announce that they have received a grant from the NRA Foundation in the amount of $8,292.50 for the drilling of a well and public restroom. The grant was applied with the thought in mind that the association would like to sponsor more adult and youth programs.
Realizing that after being in existence for 84 years it was time to make a move forward.
WFGA was organized on April 23, 1929 with G.F. Goodspeed as president. The association has been through many trials such as disbanding in 1942 and then re-organizing in 1951. The club became incorporated on August 1953 adopting its constitution in 1976. The articles of Incorporation state that the purposes are: (a) “to promote the interests of legitimate sport with rod and gun; (b) to enforce the laws for the protection and propagation of inland fish and game within the state.”
Over the years the WFGA has conducted many hunter safety courses as well as NRA-sanctioned home protection courses and assisted the Boy Scouts in achieving merit badges for shooting. A sporting clay shooting course with electric trap machine is operational and open to the public on Mondays (weather permitting) at 4:30 p.m. For more info call Charlie at 462-6792.
The indoor range is a six station 50-foot range with retrievable targets. Upgraded exhaust fans have been recently added for the safety of all shooters and in 2012 the stations have been rebuilt. In 2009 a considerable amount of work was done to the outdoor facility. Grading, bulldozing, fencing around a two station shooting box (a CONEX box) was installed on the outdoor range. Many programs have been made available to the public such as: shooting gallery, cowboy shoot, concealed pistol courses, and etc. A Youth League was established in 2010 with the youth competing with other club teams and also competing at Camp Perry in Ohio. The youth league has also established a food service booth for fund raising during many of the WFGA events.
WFGA purchased 12+ acres of land abutting original acreage in mid-2011. An archery range is being established and has a 15-foot tree stand which again has been donated by a member. Plans are being made to open up some of this property and adding a 50-yard outdoor multi-station 22 LR range with shooting pads that are ADA approved.
This year members are busy remodeling the existing kitchen with donated kitchen cabinets, new ceiling, counter tops and hoping to redo the flooring. Funds are being raised for the counter top and flooring. Two sinks are going to be added so eventually public functions will be provided.
Public programs have been improved over the last several years.
The annual ice fishing derby on Wilson Lake has offered a youth fishing program call “Hooked on Fishing” which has been under the instruction of Emily MacCabe from the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. This summer a new program called the,” Androscoggin River Two Dam Fishing Derby” is being offered to the public with youth categories for the heaviest fish. This last winter the Ice out Contest was brought back after several years of non existence. Funds raised are being used for the upgrading of the clubhouse kitchen.
Work has started with the well being drilled at the facility under the leadership of President Phil Maurais. Two major trees will be taken down for the safety of the building. With the NRA Foundation Grant many major improvements will be made and will greatly affect the public access to the Wilton Fish & Game Association Programs.
Membership is always open. Meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month at the facility on Rt. 2 in Wilton. FMI Call Phil at 897-3027.
– Submitted by Sharon Borthwick
I am SO GLAD that the Wilton F/G is expanding and very active. My father would be as proud as I am.
rolfela@gmail.com