Hopewell Fish and Game Association: Preserving Our Outdoor Heritage...
Many people mistakenly assume that Hopewell Fish and Game Association is merely a gun club where firearms are the focus, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. This club, founded in 1940 by a group of forward-thinking sportsmen in the Stewartstown area, was established with a much broader and more meaningful mission: to protect and preserve our outdoor heritage, particularly hunting and fishing.
On August 12, 1940, a group of local residents—including Ross K. Trout, D.S. Bell, Frank McConnell, Eugene Hall, J.C. Anderson, Melvin Hannigan, Harry Wilson, Arthur Druck, and Fay Shaw—came together to form the Hopewell Fish and Game Association. These founding members were driven not by a desire to create a place solely for target shooting, but by the growing threat to wildlife conservation and outdoor traditions posed by the animal rights movement.
They recognized the importance of ensuring that future generations would have the opportunity to hunt, fish, and engage in responsible wildlife management.
The club’s name, Hopewell Fish and Game, reflects this broader purpose.
It symbolizes the commitment to preserving not just a place for shooting sports, but also for fishing, wildlife management, and the promotion of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.
This model is based on science-driven wildlife management, funded largely by hunters, anglers, and trappers, and is crucial for sustaining healthy ecosystems and diverse wildlife populations.
One of the club's most significant contributions to local conservation efforts began in 1967 when Hopewell Fish and Game became the first club in York County to participate in the Pennsylvania Trout Co-Op. After determining that the club’s property was ideal for such a program, the club constructed a trout nursery raceway. This effort, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, allowed the association to raise and stock local streams with trout for the community.
At its core, Hopewell Fish and Game Association exists to protect and enhance the experiences that connect people to nature—whether through fishing in a well-stocked stream, hunting with respect for wildlife, or practicing shooting skills in a safe and responsible manner. The founders’ vision was not just about creating a space for sport, but about fostering a community of people who share a deep respect for the land, wildlife, and the time-honored traditions that sustain both.
While firearms play a role in the club’s activities, they are only a small part of the larger picture. The club’s legacy is rooted in the conservation efforts that ensure hunting and fishing can thrive for generations to come.
