Viola Rod & Gun Club - About Us
About the Club
Formed in the early 1950’s, the Viola Rod & Gun Club works to preserve the hunting, fishing, and shooting sports. The club recognizes that the way to secure the future of these sports is through the youth of our community. By offering public programs to youth and adults alike, the club is able to introduce the outdoors to new participants. Over the past several years the club has presented several programs and sponsors a Boy Scouts of America Venture Crew. Please read further for additional information regarding our programs.
Boy Scouts of America Sponsorship
The Viola club currently sponsors Venture Crew 80 of Hyde Park. A Boy Scout Venture Crew is an extension of the traditional Boy Scout program, although it is aimed at older scouts. With the supervision of the Boy Scout leaders the club is able to offer all of its facilities for use by the Venture Crew including the archery and gun ranges. The Viola club also makes the club grounds available to all Boy Scout programs for the use of camping and other Scouting Activities.
New York State Hunter Education
The avenue to hunting and shooting sports is through the Hunter Education Program. In order to obtain a hunting license in New York State you must complete a minimum of 10 hours of course work and pass a test. The Viola club offers at least one course per year. While all Hunter Education programs are available for free in New York, the Viola club also includes lunch and refreshments at no charge. The course is typically offered in April prior to the Spring turkey hunting season.
National Shooting Sports Foundation - First Shots Program
NSSF’s First Shots program has helped ranges across the country introduce thousands of individuals to shooting and firearm safety. Developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and hosted by independent shooting facilities, the program provides participants with a comprehensive introduction to shooting by qualified range operators and instructors that includes firearm safety, local ownership requirements, shooting fundamentals, hands-on instruction and how and where to continue.
NRA Sponsored Shooting Courses
Partnering with various NRA Programs, the club offers shooting instruction aimed (yes – pun intended) at fostering gun safety. These programs include Women on Target which is designed to introduce female shooters to the sport without any pressure. The course is also taught by a women instructor. New this year is the club’s offering of the NRA Basic Pistol Course. This course is available to anyone 14 and older.
Public Sight-in Days
The Viola club recognizes that many people have a place to hunt, but nowhere to target shoot. To assist those hunters prior to the season the club often opens the range to the public to give those individuals an opportunity to fire their gun prior to the season. This allows the hunter to ensure their firearm is in good working order and will allow for the most humane shot. Targets and assistance are provided.
Annual June Picnic
Held on a Sunday in early June, the club hosts a member picnic, usually a pig roast. Guests may attend for a nominal fee. Included is a variety of food (hamburgers, hotdogs, sausage & peppers), beverages, and of course the pig roast dinner.
Formed in the early 1950’s, the Viola Rod & Gun Club works to preserve the hunting, fishing, and shooting sports. The club recognizes that the way to secure the future of these sports is through the youth of our community. By offering public programs to youth and adults alike, the club is able to introduce the outdoors to new participants. Over the past several years the club has presented several programs and sponsors a Boy Scouts of America Venture Crew. Please read further for additional information regarding our programs.
Boy Scouts of America Sponsorship
The Viola club currently sponsors Venture Crew 80 of Hyde Park. A Boy Scout Venture Crew is an extension of the traditional Boy Scout program, although it is aimed at older scouts. With the supervision of the Boy Scout leaders the club is able to offer all of its facilities for use by the Venture Crew including the archery and gun ranges. The Viola club also makes the club grounds available to all Boy Scout programs for the use of camping and other Scouting Activities.
New York State Hunter Education
The avenue to hunting and shooting sports is through the Hunter Education Program. In order to obtain a hunting license in New York State you must complete a minimum of 10 hours of course work and pass a test. The Viola club offers at least one course per year. While all Hunter Education programs are available for free in New York, the Viola club also includes lunch and refreshments at no charge. The course is typically offered in April prior to the Spring turkey hunting season.
National Shooting Sports Foundation - First Shots Program
NSSF’s First Shots program has helped ranges across the country introduce thousands of individuals to shooting and firearm safety. Developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and hosted by independent shooting facilities, the program provides participants with a comprehensive introduction to shooting by qualified range operators and instructors that includes firearm safety, local ownership requirements, shooting fundamentals, hands-on instruction and how and where to continue.
NRA Sponsored Shooting Courses
Partnering with various NRA Programs, the club offers shooting instruction aimed (yes – pun intended) at fostering gun safety. These programs include Women on Target which is designed to introduce female shooters to the sport without any pressure. The course is also taught by a women instructor. New this year is the club’s offering of the NRA Basic Pistol Course. This course is available to anyone 14 and older.
Public Sight-in Days
The Viola club recognizes that many people have a place to hunt, but nowhere to target shoot. To assist those hunters prior to the season the club often opens the range to the public to give those individuals an opportunity to fire their gun prior to the season. This allows the hunter to ensure their firearm is in good working order and will allow for the most humane shot. Targets and assistance are provided.
Annual June Picnic
Held on a Sunday in early June, the club hosts a member picnic, usually a pig roast. Guests may attend for a nominal fee. Included is a variety of food (hamburgers, hotdogs, sausage & peppers), beverages, and of course the pig roast dinner.