OSFL History

The Ohio Sportsman’s and Farmers League was formed by 19 persons and established as an Ohio corporation on January 27, 1932.  The original name of the organization was The Barberton Fish and Game Conservation League.  The purpose for which this League was formed was: “To create and perpetuate organizations for the purpose of encouraging and engaging in the propagation, conservation, development, and protection of natural resources, such as forests, water, fish, and animal life, and to establish and maintain all proper and necessary facilities for carrying out the same”. 

To conform to a more representative name for the League activities, the minutes show that on November 1, 1935 the League’s name was changed to “The Ohio Farmers-Sportsman conservation League”.

There was a very close relationship with many of the farmers in the area, which included Copley, Richfield, Bath, River Styx, and surrounding area, where the farmers were offered free membership with the League for the return use of their farmlands for stocking and hunting for club members.  From the beginning to well into the 1950’s the Sportsman League would purchase young pheasants and rabbits to stock select farms around the area for sport hunting.  They were also very involved with stocking pond and lakes for fishing. Members of the club, called licensing agents, were responsible for distributing Ohio hunting and fishing licenses to numerous businesses with the collected fees helping to pay for stocking wild game.  

The decision to invest in property to create a meeting location came to a reality in June 1940.   After a review of several locations the property on South Jacoby Road was chosen.  This comprised of 18 acres plus two one acre lots for the sum of $3100. The following year in May of 1941, it was approved to build the existing club building and basement.  The Board later approved hiring a caretaker for club grounds allowing him to live in the trap range clubhouse.

The trap shooting goes back to early 1942.  This has been an active part of the sportsman’s League as the trapshooting committee was authorized to purchase a new trap and would be ready to hold a shoot at any time the members desire it.  Today the trap shooting has been vastly expanded to include both youth and public events and is home to the Buckeye Chippewa Youth Shooting Sports, the largest and most winning youth team in Ohio.  

The Ohio Farmers-Sportsman Conservation League has advanced throughout today with similar objectives to the conversation and protection of our natural resources. It currently collects sap from maple trees located on club grounds and sells maple syrup as well as hosting wild game dinners, steak, and reverse raffle events, and a youth day to invite youth to enjoy the outdoors. The clubhouse and grounds can also be rented for events