St. Marys Sportsmen's Club

In the hills north of a town called St. Marys in Elk County, Pennsylvania, lies a place called Flower Valley. Here you can find a special refuge, the St. Marys Sportsmen’s Club. It is special to many people because it’s a place to bring your children, grandchildren to enjoy some of the splendors of nature by walking through the forest, fishing, hunting, target shooting, feeding the fish and ducks or just plain relaxing.

The St. Marys Sportsmen’s Club was organized on March 29, 1935. The original Sportsmen’s property was known as the Wittman farm. It was sold to Keystone Carbon Co. in the early 1940's. On November 29, 1947, Keystone Carbon Co. sold the farm to the St. Marys Sportsmen’s. The original acreage purchased was two parcels of land, each containing 50 acres.

Today the St. Marys Sportsmen’s Club owns approx. 630 acres of open fields and forest, mostly forest. The Club recently purchased a 294 acre tract of land for two main purposes: First, the land joins the property already owned by the Club. Secondly, we did not want this land to be privatized or turned into a housing development. We thought it more important that this land be kept opened to hunting, fishing, hiking, and nature related subjects.

The club purchased an additional 44 acres (Fox property) which is located in between the farm and lodge. This purchase will increase the club's property to about 670 acres.

In January we kick-off the year with our membership drive. Our membership is usually between 1900-2200 people strong. Our members are from many counties in PA, as far north as New York, south to Louisiana, east to Maryland, and west to Washington. We have officers and directors serving the Club in all aspects of club functions. There is also an advisory board of directors who over-see Club activities and functions. To find out more about Club membership and activities being held, please visit the other pages on this website.

During the course of the year we host Kiddies Fishing at the Sportsmen’s Pond in May and June, Youth Field Day in Sept., the Gun Raffle in Sept., the Ice Fishing Derby in January, and the Coyote Hunt in February. We host many youth activities including groups such as: High school Outdoor Clubs, scouting, special interest groups such as handicapped children and adults and other outdoor related activities. The Club also has a Children’s Only Fishing Area for children 16 years and under. There is ½ mile of creek on upper Powers Run, on Club property, wired-off for the children to fish. These waters are heavily stocked through-out the trout season for the children to enjoy.

There is also a Scholastic Clay Target Program for middle and high school students. Area students are also eligible to attend Conservation Leadership School sponsored by the Club and other organizations.

The Club has trout rearing facilities. In June we receive 4,000 fingerlings from the PA Fish Commission to raise for the following trout season. By April, the fingerlings, which consist of brook, brown and palomino trout, range from 9" to 11" in length and are ready to be stocked in nearby trout approved streams. We also have a trout nursery where we hold the trout over for 2 years. These fish will attain a size of 14" to 22" in length and then they too will be stocked in nearby streams. The stockings of these fish are done by officers and directors, members, and anyone who wants to help.

The pheasant stocking program was abolished in 2017 because of a lack of intrest from hunters. We also maintain 4 food plots for wildlife. In 2019 Pheasants Forever N.C. Chapter plowed  and planted the plots with their J.D. tractor.

The facilities include: the Club House with an upstairs Recreation Room, The Barn, Pavilion/Kitchen Area, Barbecue Pit, Children’s Play Area, Trout Rearing Ponds, Sportsmen’s Pond, Trap and Skeet Fields, Shotgun Pattern Range, 408 yd. Rifle and Pistol Range, Archery Range, and Children’s Fishing Area. Some of our facilities are rented out for small parties, family reunions, weddings, etc. Also located on the property is the Bucktail Archers Club which offers a full range of target shooting for the avid archer. You must be a member of the Bucktail Archers to shoot on this course.

On March.20, 2021 the St. Marys Sportsmen’s Club hosted the North Central Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs Annual Meeting.

Sportsmen’s clubs take a lot of hard work and dedication to make them successful. The membership being the most important part of the club, plus monies from other fund raising projects, donations, etc. provides the monetary support needed for daily operations.

When you support your local Sportsmen’s Club, you support an organization who provides education to youth and adults, conservation of fish, wildlife, forest, and habitat.