Hernando Sportsman's Club

Club HistoryThe Hernando Sportsman's Club, Inc was founded in January 1980 as Hernando County Rifle & Pistol Club, Inc It was formed to fill a need for an organized shooting fraternity in Hernando County and the surrounding areas. The main purpose of the club is to support and encourage the legitimate and safe use of firearms, encourage good sportsmanship and patriotism.The club began with eleven people who met at the North Campus of PHCC in January 1980. Among the Club's first accomplishments was obtaining a place to shoot. The Club used the McDonald Mine east of Brooksville as a range for several years. In 1983, the Club obtained permission to use another old mine off of Weatherly Road just northeast of Brooksville which was about four times larger than the original mine. In 1988, with 140 members and many gun shows and fundraisers behind them, the Club finally purchased the current 80 acre parcel of land off U.S. Hwy 19.Access to the property, at the time, was through the North side of the parcel. Initial zoning and permitting was finally accomplished after approximately 3 years and construction began. During this initial period, the Club did not actually have a range to use but through many fundraisers and events, the Club managed to grow and retain it's members.