Bass River Rod & Gun Club

May 2026 Newsletter

Top Of The Paige

Your Dues, The Club, and The Value of Our Volunteers

We’re at the beginning of a new Fiscal Year for the Club. The budget has been approved by the Board and you’ve paid your dues. We’re all ready to get down to work, and to enjoy the Club.

Here is a breakdown of how the Club will spend the $200 you sent us:

  • $70 funds all the ranges – Indoor, Archery, Rifle/Pistol and Shotgun
  • $45 covers our buildings, utilities, roads and the 250-acre reservation
  • $39 pays for insurance on our property and people, bookkeeping, banking, legal and accounting services
  • $17 gives us Firearms Education, RSO’s, the Women’s Program, the Junior Rifle and Junior Shotgun Programs
  • $16 goes toward long-term renovations and program improvements
  • $8 provides donations to the community, merchandise and Club dinners
  • $5 helps us collect dues and find new members

Those are the hard costs covered by each of your $200 dues, keeping the lights on and the infrastructure sound, and our membership healthy.

So, we have the buildings, the programs, the woods and the fields – from your dues, Now we must run them – and that’s where you – our volunteers- come in.

The Club needs about 120 hours of work every week to stay open. That’s 6300 hours a year. On average, about 50 people volunteer for 2-3 hours per week. Some more, some less, and some much more.

If we were paying for those hours at $25/hr, we’d need another $150,000 from you in dues.

I’m sharing these numbers to show you that the Club needs you in 2 ways:

  • Your dues give us the dollars to pay the hard costs
  • Your volunteerism runs the programs and keeps the Club open.

Thank you for being members, thank you for what you have done for the Club, and thank you most importantly for what you will do for the Club in the future.

Sincerely,

Dan Paige Sr.

Club President

Calendar

Spring Schedule Updates:

  • Club Clean Up Day May 2nd.  All ranges closed until noon.
  • The outdoor range will be closed on all Tuesdays in May for police training.
  • Beginning May 10th, archery class will move to the outdoor range from 9:00am -11:00am every Sunday, weather permitting. There will be no archery class on May 3rd.


Club Clean Up Day

May 2, 2026 from 8:00am to 11:00am

We have projects on all the outside ranges and roads, and we’ve got members in each area to lead the work. You can help on the archery range and stations, the outdoor range, the shotgun fields… We’re splitting wood, giving a fresh face to the fields and berms, moving clays, and especially reclaiming the road edges from the winter storms.

You don’t need any specialized equipment- Bring some gloves, a rake and shovel, some loppers, weed whacker, or a leaf blower.

Clean Up Day is a great time to meet a few of our new members or see a longtime friend.

All Ranges except the Indoor Range will remain closed until 12:00pm to allow us to work safely and concentrate on the most important Club activity for that day.

Meet at the Main Club House at 8 am for an assignment!

Annual Meeting

Annual Meeting Results April 3, 2026


President Dan Paige, Sr.

1st Vice President Leroy Walker

2nd Vice President Chris Jolls

Secretary John Billings

Treasurer Paul Heslinga

Directors:

Laura Cronin

Steve Guerrini

Larry Lyford

Ed Teague

Membership Renewal

If your membership level is "recurring" your credit or debit card was automatically charged on 1 Apr 2026. No further action is required.

If your membership level is "not recurring", please help out your club volunteers and sign up for automatic renewal using a credit or debit card. Contact membership@bassriverrodandgun.com for instructions and help. Your payment was due on 1 Apr 2026.  NOTICE: If your dues are not paid on time there will be a $50 late fee assessed to renew your membership after June 30th.

Education

Calling Bass River Rod And Gun Club Members

Being a Range Safety Officer is critical to the club's operations, if you are willing to step up and become an RSO now is your chance. So, help the club while you get to meet new members and see interesting firearms. We are offering an NRA Range Safety Officer class on June 13th and 14th. The club subsidizes the cost of the class in exchange for a commitment to serve 20 hours each year. Please see the RSO training agreement immediately below.


Range Safety Officer Training Agreement

In acknowledgment of Bass River Rod & Gun Club paying for your training as an NRA Range Safety Officer, you understand and agree with the following:

  • The club will pay for your course instruction and materials at a club-sponsored training event.
  • You are responsible for securing credentials from the NRA - at a cost of $40 for NRA members, and $175 for non-members. 
  • You agree that upon completion of the course, to volunteer 20 hours as an RSO per year following your completion of the course.

It is our hope that with completion of the course and integration into the RSO program, that you will realize the personal benefits associated with volunteer service and continue to grow within the Bass River Rod and Gun club community.

If you are interested, please email Brian McCormack at education@bassriverrodandgun.com or call 774-521-8924.

Home and Away

Home on the range!  Courtesy Doug Nelson.

Grand Bahama with Evans Arnold.

Everett Boy in Mexico

Sporting Clays with George Wakeman in South Carolina.  "Not as good as Bass River!"

Share your home and away photos to our social media pages!

Massachusetts Jr. Conservation Camp

Ben Pihl Scholarship Available

The Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp (MJCC) is a two week program designed to teach teens between 13-17 years old various outdoor recreation skills.

The MJCC is operated by Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp Inc. Campers learn a variety of outdoor skills, including:

  • Fishing
  • Hunting (Campers will become certified in Hunter Education)
  • Shooting sports
  • Boating (Campers will become certified in Small Boat Safety)
  • Camping

The camp also aims to educate campers about conservation of natural resources and responsible use of the environment. Natural resource professionals from state agencies provide hands-on experiences and demonstrations and lead discussions on wildlife, fisheries, and forest management. In the evening, campers participate in demonstrations of outdoor recreation topics.

Learn more about the program on the Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp website: https://juniorconservationcamp.org/ or call 508-450-5120.

Camp Dates: August 3-15, 2026

If you know of a teen between 13-17 who would like to attend, contact Cheryl Cerbone, membership@bassriverrodandgun.com; 508-360-4090.

Bass River Merchandise

Proudly display your membership in the Bass River Rod and Gun Club with some new merchandise!   

An order for merchandise will be going in shortly.  Please email the merchandise chair Bryan Howes.

Click to request Merch!

Fish Ladder Update

I would like to personally thank everyone who worked on the fish ladder as well as the people who volunteered to do the herring count. 

    • Bryan Howes

Archery

On May 3rd, archery class will move to the outdoor range from 9:00am -11:00am every Sunday, weather permitting.

As before, all ages are welcome and minors must have adult supervision.

All of the archers and instructors greatly appreciated the use of the indoor range and thank the members and directors for their support.

Please call Bill DINatale with questions or comments at (978) 317-9930 or email HERE.

Women's Program

Greetings from the Women’s Program!

I am seeking volunteers to offer instruction for a couple of mini clinics for the ladies of our club. Many have requested private time to gain instruction and/or brush up on their basic skills in shotgun & handguns. We can begin with one in each discipline. Personally I am available Sundays and most late afternoon/early evenings. Please send me an email by May 8th at womensprogram@bassriverrodandgun.com with your clinic preference and availability.

Please also note your status as an RSO and/or NRA shotgun/pistol instructor. Credentials as an NRA instructor are not mandatory. RSOs are necessary but does not exclude a volunteer as long as we have enough RSOs on hand.

Please email me with any questions you may have.

I thank you in advance!

Looking forward to some great experiences with you,

Erin Murphy

Women’s Program Chair


Junior Rifle Program

Greetings from the range.

Our junior shooters had a strong session this week, focusing on prone fundamentals like breath control, sight alignment, and smooth trigger work.

Beyond the range, these athletes are building discipline, patience, and sportsmanship—skills that will serve them well in all areas of life.

Our program continues to highlight how youth shooting sports provide a unique opportunity for growth, regardless of traditional athletic ability. With continued support we look forward to expanding opportunities, increasing participation, and giving these young shooters even more chances to challenge themselves and succeed.

We supply pizza and munchies while running four practice matches per week, Two on Wednesday 6-8 PM and Two on Saturday 9-11 AM.

For only $10 a practice, this still might be the best deal around.

Click here to learn more about Jr. Rifle Program

Action Shooting

IDPA

This year’s season of Bass River's monthly IDPA matches started Sunday April 19, 2026 and will continue the third Sunday every month until December, weather permitting. You can register on PractiScore until Friday morning at https://practiscore.com/bass-river-idpa-april-19.../register or you can always register in person at the match. We need you to check in when you arrive at the range. There are 7 stages planned for your shooting pleasure . The first shots go off at 10am so please be at the range by no later than 9:30am .
Click Here To Learn More About Action Shooting

Volunteer

"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little."

- Edmund Burke

Bass River Rod & Gun Club thrives with active member participation. Despite an expanding volunteer base, we face a common challenge - 80% of the work is done by 20% of our members. To realize our full potential, members' time, talents, and dues are essential. 

Club Clean Up Day

May 2nd from 8:00 am to 11:00 am.

Club Dinner

We need volunteers to assist with the monthly club dinner every third Friday of the month from 5 - 7 pm. No cooking required! If you're able to help, please contact Larry Lyford by clicking HERE.

Wednesday Workers

Come to the main clubhouse any Wednesday at 8 am to help with various tasks around the club.

We need your help in filling the following positions:

Archery Instructor & Archery Assistants:  If you're an archery instructor, or willing to be trained as an instructor - or, if you are willing to help open and supervise the archery range on an alternating schedule, contact Bill DiNatale by clicking HERE.

Rifle Instructor & Jr. Rifle Assistants:  If you're a rifle instructor, or willing to be trained as an instructor to help with the Junior Rifle Program, contact Greg Gnadiek by clicking HERE.

To hear more about these positions, please email us by clicking HERE.


____________________________________

Members will be notified about additional opportunities that come up via email from the Club's Volunteer Coordinator, Matt Bangert. You can contact Matt by clicking HERE.

Range Hours

RANGE OPERATIONS

All outdoor ranges are open with Range Safety Officer supervision. Closings due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances are posted HERE.

SHOTGUN RANGES

Members $5 - Non-Members $6 Per Round

Skeet:

  • Tuesday 10-1 PM - Members Only
  • Thursday 10-1 PM
  • Saturday 10-1 PM
  • Sunday 10-1 PM

Five Stand:

  • Wednesday 10-1 PM
  • Saturday 9-1 PM
  • Sunday 10-1 PM

Trap:

  • Wednesday 10-1
  • Friday 10-1 PM
  • Sunday 1-3 PM

Rifle/Pistol Ranges

  • Monday - Friday 12-5 PM
  • Saturday/Sunday 10-5 PM*
  • *Note: ranges closed Saturday at 2:30 PM before Sun matches

Indoor Range

  • Open 24 Hours Daily
  • Key Fob Access Only

May Club Dinner

Friday May 15th - 6:00PM

May's Club Dinner will be a delicious dinner of salad, teriyaki chicken with jasmine rice and dessert served up by Chef Larry.

No matter if you are a new member or old hand, club dinners - held at 6:00PM on the third Friday of each month - are a great way to expand your club experience.

Here are some good reasons to attend:

1. The opportunity to meet other members and officers.

2. A delicious dinner.

3. Getting in some volunteer hours by helping out in the kitchen.

4. A delicious dinner.

5. Sitting in on a directors' meeting afterward and learning for about the workings of the club.

6. And of course, there's always the delicious dinner.

Call the club at 508.375.9395 to make a reservation or to volunteer!

New Members: Meet your social engagement requirement. Come to the dinner after you are voted in and spend a good time with some new friends!


This & That

Club Dinner - May 15th, 6:00PM

Dinner starts at 6:00PM sharp, before the Directors’ Meeting. Chef Larry and his volunteer crew whip up scrumptious meals - from pre-dinner nibbles, to dessert, the food is always a hit! Dinner reservations should be made by noon the Wednesday prior to the Friday dinner

Call for reservations: 508.375.9395

Directors’ Meeting - May 15 - 7:00PM 

Directors’ meetings are held at 7:00PM, following the club dinners. Members are encouraged to attend and share your views. The more you participate, the better your club becomes.

Remembrance

If you know of a member who is struggling with a health issue or has passed, please let us know so that we can send a card to the family and notify our members. 

Contact Barrett Foster at 650.766.9105, or e-mail by clicking HERE.

Facebook

In order to minimize intrusive e-mails, we use our Facebook page to provide the most current and diverse information to our members. 

Click HERE to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook.

Webpage

Our webpage contains the most comprehensive information on the club - including current hours of operations, orientation requirements and schedule, match times and scores, membership information and forms, key fobs, education, pistol team, archery, and our juniors program. 

Visit our webpage by clicking HERE.

How To Reach Us

Click HERE for a directory of Officers, Directors, and Committee Chairs

Range Orientation Program

In order to use the Indoor Range and the Outdoor Rifle and Pistol Ranges, Members must complete the Safe Range Orientation Program - it is in two parts. The Program is staffed by NRA Range Safety Officers who have been providing extra help and refresher instruction to our members. In the end, keeping the Bass River firing ranges safe is the best way to ensure the continuation of the Club into the future. Classes are offered each month, weather permitting. 

Click HERE for full details on our orientation program.

Key Fobs

Contact Bill Warren by phone or text at (508) 561-1940. Fobs are $15 each - exact change or check. Criteria: Present your membership card and proof of hours worked.

Visit Our Social Media Pages

Contact Us

Bass River Rod & Gun Club

P.O. Box 29

Yarmouth Port, MA 02675 


Phone: 508.375.9395 


E-Mail: operations@bassiverrodandgun.com

Copyright (C) Bass River Rod & Gun Club, Inc. All rights reserved.