Sad Day for ERBA
West Virginia
Contributors to this thread:
Sad day to say the least. I just received a letter regarding the death of Elk River Bowhunters Association effective June 30. Having been a long time member it is heart breaking to see a club that has been as active and thriving as ERBA has been over the 35 years of its existence come to an end. Most of us who remained active members could see this day coming for some time but somehow hoped it could be avoided. But due to rising operating costs, decreasing membership, and low shoot turn-outs ERBA could not go on.
I want to say that this day would have come much sooner had it not been for Don Teter's willingness to step up when the club was struggling and assume the office of president. Don has poured much of his own resources both physically and financially into the effort to revive and save the club, but to no avail. My personal thanks to Don for all he has done. The members who have enjoyed a little stay before the final closing have Don to thank for that. Out of his own pocket he bought 14 new targets for the club, and he and his wife Jean have done lots of physical work around the club to see that it was an inviting place to go. The efforts are deeply appreciated.
This seems to be the story with a lot of the formerly great clubs. I suppose the times are changing, priorities change, and economic and family realities play a role as well. It has been a good run.
That is sad. I shot there before. Nice course. You are right it is happening everywhere
Too bad, but it seems to be a sign of the times. The ERBA hosted the first WVBA shoot I attended many years ago. IIRC, Roger Rothhaar, was the guest speaker.
Many thanks to all the officers and members for all those enjoyable times..... and to Dr. Don and Jean for their effort.
Although I only shot there once I send sincere condolences
This is sad news. After meeting Larry Lawson I attended the 1st ever WVBA rendezvous at the ERBA and chaired the second one a few weeks later in Wheeling at the Ohio County Wildlife League. The ERBA was a great club, had a nice range, and had very involved members at that time. Larry and I both went on later to become presidents of the West Virginia Bowhunters Association. The ERBA was really a powerful club back in the 80's and well respected. I remember speaking at one or two of their banquets. I hate hearing these things. Seems this changing world(and not necessarily for the better) effects everything and clubs that helped make history, as the ERBA did with playing a major role in forming the WVBA and promoting bowhunting's future in WV, are not immune. It sucks.
I agree. If it were not for Don and Jean there would have been no ERBA.
And, if I owed Dr. Don professional fees for all of the good archery advice, I would be bankrupt! :)
tom
Tom, I simply don't understand why, with all of the bowhunters just in the Elkview/Pinch area not to mention the greater Charleston area, we could not get enough members to keep the club active. What a deal--$40 a year for unlimited access 365 days a year to the range with 28 targets and all sorts of hunting type shot situations. I don't know what more could have been provided.
As far as archery advice from Dr. Don....just remember he is the guy who is always trying a new shooting style! :o) If he ever had arrows that matched it would help instead of using my old broken cast-offs! LOL
Wow that is a good deal. Wish we had that here.
We went through the same thing at Big Bend in Mason county. Had a pretty good membership but only a few that worked and they got old and couldn't do it anymore. We also had to put our 3-D targets in and out because of theft and then the owner of the land, after several years of graciously letting us use it, sold it.
David:
Probably due to a lot of factors including the preconceived notion that a few practice sessions just before season opens is "good enough" for deer hunting which of course is usually not the case. It usually takes a lot of practice, even with compounds.
Yep 4 under. But I love shooting.
I am sorry to hear this. I am glad I got to shoot there a couple times.