Hidden Haven Shooting Preserve & Sporting Clays Inc., owned and operated by the Blosser family, has been in operation since 1969. The preserve was just that, an upland shooting preserve until the early 1970's when trap shooting was introduced. At that time the club became a shooting preserve and trap shooting range. In 1989 sporting clays was the new shooting sport and therefore the club developed it's first sporting clays course. The initial course was designed by Jon Kruger, recipient of the 1989 Sporting Clays Magazine's Champion of Champions award. Additional courses have been designed by the club owners.

Hidden Haven Shooting Preserve & Sporting Clays now offer many challenging 50 Bird Courses along with upland hunting. Each sporting clays course simulates hunting conditions. Also available -- 5-Stand, Wobble, Skeet, Sporting Clays, and Fitasc courses for beginners as well as for competition shooters.

Hidden Haven Club and Owners' Accomplishments

Opened Sporting Clays in 1989

Organized the "Ohio Range Owner's Organization"; and was State Delegate for NSCA.

The club was in the top 25 clubs throwing NSCA. registered targets in 1993 and 1995.

Hidden Haven held the first NSCA State shoot, Zone 3 shoot, as well as one of the first major Fitasc Qualifier shoots in Ohio; was one of the first clubs in Ohio to have a 5-Stand; was also listed in Esquire magazine as one of the top 25 clubs in the USA. Our club spent many hours on the telephone to help educate and train the first OSCA president as to the NSCA rules and the concept of sporting clays.

We also helped other clubs in Ohio to get started by giving them tours of our facility and helped them with details.  Some of these clubs were Buckeye Game Farms, Mad River, and Scioto. (Other clubs that are now closed, but also given help were Jungle Sporting Clays, Highfield, Paw-Paw, and Oak Shade just to name a few.)

We also became involved with Sporting Clays of America (SCA-the old USSCA-Vice President & President). Our club (representing SCA) was one of five organizations supporting sport shooting and gun owners rights at the United Nations in 2001; when they wanted control of firearms and clubs through a treaty, attached to the anti-crime bill.

Instrumental working with NSSF and the U.S. Sportsmen Alliance on shooting range protection bill (grandfather clause) in Ohio for shooting clubs.

Was on the National Association of Shooting Ranges (NASR a division of NSSF) committee for statement of principles for the environment management of shooting facilities, which resulted in "EPA's Best Management Practices for Lead at Outdoor Shooting Ranges" manual.

Was one of the first clubs in USA to become a "5-Star Club" and EPA Certified. (Hidden Haven was the first club in Ohio to receive both.)

Being involved with SCA, we were instrumental in NSCA adopting, "1st bird established" in report pairs, and "nothing established" in following or true pairs; also adopting "high-gun" and "viewing targets from the shooting stand".

During this time frame, we were kind of classed as a "redneck", trying to do what shooters wanted and what NSCA wanted, which was usually different. We sided with the shooters and were told by NSCA we could not throw NSCA registered targets while belonging to SCA. Was involved in the Anti-Trust suit with the Justice Department between NSCA and the SCA over this issue. SCA went out of business due to a lack of membership to support the organization. Later we rejoined the NSCA; (no hard feelings) just a difference of opinion between Ron and Mike Hampton, Sr. (they are still friends).

A few things that Hidden Haven is most noted for (since 1989) are:

1. Our "Technical, Tough Targets"; (which everybody wants, but 10 to 15 years ago we caught #!*#*#!* for throwing)

2. Our number of courses

3. Our operating hours - Open 9:00 a.m. until dark everyday EXCEPT CHRISTMAS.