Gilbert's Sportsmans Club originated in 1959. The first members met in the
basement of Gilbert's Bar on Mack
and St. Jean in Detroit. Albert Gilbert, Bo Soulliere,
Shorty Gilbert, Mickey Gilbert, and several others founded the club.
Most of the members
of Gilberts were originally members of Van Maele's Road and Gun Club. The Van Maele and
Gilbert
families were both friends and in the bar business as well as hunting partners.
The club
was able to purchase 11 acres on Omo Road in Macomb County in 1961. The
original grounds had only 1 trap machine. The club
remained at this location until 1971
when the State of Michigan turned the surrounding area including the club grounds
into the
Wessel State Game Area. The club was able to remain in the same area after purchasing
the present grounds on
a land contract.
The old club house was built over several weekends and was only 24'X24'. Three trap
ranges, one skeet
field and a dance pavillion were also constructed. The club ran for ten
years with approximately 35 members. The club fell
on hard times for several years after
that. The insurance company wanted $5,000 a year just for shooting coverage. During
this
time, the club kept going without the members being able to shoot. Over the next several
years, payments were kept
up with the revenue from our famous Wild Game Dinners.
Occasionally, the club had to borrow money from club members, who
were paid back after
the dinners.
After several years without shooting, the National Rifle Association came through
with responsible insurance
rates and the shooting at the club came back. The present
club house started in 1998 and finished in 1999. We presently
have approximately 85
regular members, along with several legacy members and honary members.
