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PALOMAR SPORTSMEN'S CLUB
PO Box 715, Ramona, CA 92065
(619)596-8124
The Palomar s Sportsmen’s Club is shooting club that operates in Ranchita, although the great majority of its members are from Ramona.
The club dates back to Ramona before World War II.
Then everybody went off to war and when they came back, a member of the group let the group use his property on Highland Valley Road. The sportsmen’s club was formalized in 1954 and operated from then until 1990 when the owner of the land where they were shooting died. At that time the club had grown to have 350 members.
It became tough to find a place to operate because of California legislation that changed the rules for shooting ranges. It took the club about four years to locate the current 40 acres that was acceptable for a rifle range and another two and a half years to put the major use permit through the county.
.Pres. Dennis Rohman points out that the club is the first shooting range to put a permit through the county’s process and by 1998 they were able to be using the land as a range.
With the range in place membership is on the rise and they are back up to 140 members (from a low of 35).
According to Rohman, “Membership is open to anyone, providing the don’t have felonies on their records. We have members from as far away as Los Angeles, although most are from the Ramona area.”
The range is a recreational facility for members to enjoy all kinds of sporting activities, and includes a rifle range, pistol range, archery range, camping area and a trap shooting area.
This year’s officers include Pres. Dennis Rohman, Vice Pres. Dave Romero, Sec. Louie Gorombey; Assistant Sec. Brian Bowman; Treas. Jim Romero; Assistant Treas. Lee Cirket; Facilities director, Chuck Curtis, who's been a member since 1959; promotional director, Steve Newbegin; and equipment director, Steve Pyle.
The Palomar Sportsmen’s Club meets every other month, usually on a Thursday evening. They frequently have guest speakers from hunting organizations, the National Wildlife Federation and the National Rifle Assn.
The club sponsors a youth program where youngsters are taught all of the safety aspects of handling a weapon. This has been so successful that the club wants to increase its community outreach. It also sponsors the San Diego chamber of Women’s Shooting Sports. It also helps out several charities a year, including the Montezuma Valley Fire Dept. and in July participates with several other clubs in the Save a Life blood drive.
The club emphasizes family memberships. Dues are $120 a year and there is an initiation fee of $300.
You can reach the club by calling 619-596-8124 or by writing to P.O. Box 715, Ramona, CA 92065.
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