Everett, Wash.
Published: Monday, June 15, 2009

South Whidbey rod and gun club plans NRA benefit

Expect dinner, an auction and a fast-draw competition

By Kristi O'Harran
Herald Columnist

 Holmes Harbor Rod and Gun Club formed 76 years ago by folks interested in hunting and fishing. Some members hunt deer, some catch salmon and others enjoy blasting at targets or flying objects.

And some like to party.

Range Chairman Michael McInerney said the majority of the 660 members are not regular shooters, but they enjoy the social benefits of a restaurant, bar, dance floor, trophy and banquet room and entertainment. They've had magic shows, a hypnotist and lots of other activities.

"In a time when fraternal organizations are wilting for lack of members, we are gaining an average of 15 new members each month," he said.

And they share.

The club is holding a benefit to support the National Rifle Association Foundation. It's planned for 4 p.m. June 27 at the club, 3334 Brooks Hill Road, Langley. (For more information, call 360-221-8494.)

The benefit begins with a cowboy fast-draw competition at 4 p.m., followed by a raffle and silent auction at 5 p.m. The prime rib or chicken dinner, and auction, start at 6:30 p.m.

Auction items include Western art, sporting goods, fishing trips and firearms created exclusively for this benefit.

The club supports a variety of NRA programs, but members aren't entirely focusedon the right to own a firearms, said Stephen Hannemann.

"Our club is as nonpolitical as it gets," he said. "Many people talk about politics, but there is no organized movement or agenda within the club that I know of."

At the benefit, he might add to his "new" gun collection.

"I was an avid hunter and fisherman until I sold all of my guns during a divorce in 1993," Hannemann said. "I moved to Whidbey Island in 2001 and have been living in heaven ever since."

He learned how to shoot high-powered rifles and handguns and competed in combat handgun contests. He also studied ballistics and loaded his own specialized ammunition for long-range shooting.

The author wrote a fiction book, "Death of a Warrior," with a character who knows his way around boats, guns and hand-to-hand combat.

Hannemann was lured back to the sport two years ago when he joined the HH club.

"I got hooked again and now shoot at their monthly pistol shoots and metallic silhouette shoots. I bought a shotgun last month and am now shooting clay pigeons."

The little discs are hard to hit, he said.

McInerney also likes to shoot at clay targets. He's hunted nearly all his life, he said. He joined the club when he moved to Whidbey Island in 1979.

He said he enjoys the family atmosphere at Holmes Harbor.

"Several women shoot regularly as well," McInerney. "Shotgunning is a pretty social sport."

They offer regular Thursday and Sunday shotgun shoots that brings together a pretty diverse group, McInerney said.

"We even have Democrats."

Kristi O'Harran: 425-339-3451, oharran@heraldnet.com
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA