Evans County Wildlife Club History
The Evans County Wildlife Club was officially organized in 1968 at Kick’s Sport Shop. Felton Mikel, a representative from the Sports Federation in Bulloch County, addressed the approximately twenty members who attended. During this meeting Jack Strickland was elected as the Club’s first President.
The Club continued to hold it’s meeting’s at Kick’s Sport Shop for a short period of time, then moved to the Masonic Lodge. Next, the meetings were held at Leon Strickland’s Club House near Daisy. Form there the club meetings were moved to Gailey’s Club House and then to the American Legion Hall.
Seeing a need for a more permanent location for the organization, the Evans County Wildlife Club built their own building on the Canoochee River on property owned by Johnnie Clark in 1972. Mr. Clark sold the property to the Evans County Wildlife Club in 1979. This was the “home” of the Evans County Wildlife Club for 29 years. In 2001 the Club purchased 40 acres from the Claxton-Evans County Industrial Development Authority and erected a 70’ X 200’ multi-purpose building along with two 70’ open air structures, headquarters for the annual Rattlesnake Roundup.
The Evans County Wildlife Club is a non-profit, volunteer driven organization. The Club boasts 75 members led by a board of directors and slate of officers.
Since it’s inception, the Wildlife Club has actively given to the Claxton-Evans County community through annual donations to local charities, schools, and other non-profit organizations. Each year the Club awards college scholarships to graduating high school seniors. An annual essay contest is sponsored through the school system and during Roundup Week, Club members give wildlife education presentations. The Each Spring, the Club sponsors a fishing rodeo and Georgia Hunter Education programs.
The Evans County Wildlife Club is a member of the Claxton-Evans County Chamber of Commerce, National Turkey Federation, National Rifle Association, Duck Conservation Society, among other organizations.
