Why did we form our club?

Established in 1953, Neighbors’ was formed out of a growing concern from local landowners for out of area people trespassing and illegally hunting on their property.   This resulted in property owners privately posting their lands, consequently eliminating the use of such property by local residents who supported the property owner’s rights.

Landowners Ralph Poweel and Harry Marquet along with sportsman Victor Post called a meeting at the Wurtemburg Church in the summer of 1953 to address these issues.  At this meeting, attended by many farmers, property owners and local residents, Neighbors’ Gun Club was founded.

The advantages of being a landowner

The Club posts the Landowner’s property (providing both posting signs and labor) at the Club’s expense.  The Club will also post “Restricted” signs at the Landowners’ request.  Restricted areas are “Off Limits” to everyone except the landowner.

The Club patrols its posted lands by employing two bonded Deputy Sheriffs year round at the Club’s expense.

Landowners and members who enjoy being a field, fishing, small game and big game hunting have access to over 1,800 acres of land posted by Neighbors’ Gun Club in Dutchess County.

Landowners and members have the use of Club owned properties, buildings and facilities in Rhinebeck, the Adirondacks and the Catskills.

What we own

• A Meeting Facility equipped with a kitchen on 68 acres of land located on Burger Road in the Town of Rhinebeck, NY.  Club facilities include a 75-yard rifle and pistol range, a 8 station Skeet Range and a 30 station archery course.  In addition a horse trail that is part of the Landsman Kill Trail Association runs through the property.
• Camp Georgia Brook is a 15-room house on 24 acres of land near the Town of Wells, NY.  In the heart of the Adirondacks and surrounded by NY State land, Camp Georgia Brook is conveniently located within an hour of Great Sacandaga Lake.  Four Season outdoor opportunities include camping, fishing, hunting, backpacking and snowmobiling.  The camp is equipped with a generator for electricity and a wood stove for heat.
• Camp Mountain Top is a 5-room trailer on 6 acres of land near the Town of Middleburgh, NY.  Located in the Catskills, Camp Mountain Top is across the road from over 2,000 acres of State owned land and is within 45 minutes of over 17,000 acres of state owned forests.

What we do 

• Sponsor Boy Scout Troop #128 through the use of the clubs’ facilities in Rhinebeck and the Adirondacks.  Members also perform duties as Troop Leaders.
• Sponsor four children to Camp DeBruce and Pack Forest.  These week-long camps are managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and teach outdoor appreciation and basic woodmanship.
• New York State Hunter Safety Courses are taught throughout the year at the Club’s Rhinebeck facility.  Club member Warren Sigrist is a New York State certified instructor.  
• Conduct an annual spring roadside clean up on all public roadways adjacent to land posted by the Club.
• Host a dinner annually for all Club Landowners at the Club’s expense to show our appreciation, renew friendships and promote activities with our neighbors.
• Re-stock Pheasants and Trout on land and streams posted by the Club.
• Annual expenses associated with these efforts account for approximately 20% of Neighbors’ annual operating budget.

Meetings and annual events

Our Membership year runs from October through September annually.  Monthly membership meetings are held at the Burger Road facility at 8PM on Saturdays or Wednesdays. The January, October, and September meetings are held on the last Saturday of the month The March and May meetings are on the third Saturday.  The November meeting is on the second Wednesday and the August meeting is on the third Wednesday of the month.

Annual Events include the Spring Roadside Clean-up, Landowners’ Dinner and Beef BBQ, Turkey Shoot, Spring and Summer Archery Shoots.  These events are held on Saturdays. Skeet Shoots are held on Sundays from March through September   All Club events are open to all active members and to general public by special invitation. We also participate annually in the Marine Corps Reserve Toys 4 Tots drive.

Financial disclosure

Neighbors’ Gun Club revenues are derived from profits earned at our annual events, interest on investments, donations and membership dues and fines.  Neighbors’ is fully insured and indemnifies landowners for use of their land by club members.