About Canyon Oaks Sportsman's Club
The Canyon Oaks Sportsman's Club is the finest shooting club in Los Angeles County California offering a variety of shooting disciplines for the honorable sportsman and sportswomen of the community.
Family-friendly shooting events are offered that are suitable for all ages. Members and their families also enjoy monthly, Saturday night, potluck barbecues. It’s an always popular event with plenty of good food, drink, conversation, and laughter.
COSC regularly sponsors Educational Gun Safety Classes as well as NRA specialized Training. Organized monthly events such as the .22 Fun Match, Big Bore Match, the Defenders Match, Cowboy Action Shooting, and Trap and Skeet competitions serve to foster a better understanding between sportsmen and the general public.
In the beginning...
The range land was originally acquired through the Homestead Act by the Earb family. The family developed the land as a farm for a variety of land-stock such as cattle, sheep, goats, and other small farm animals.
In 1940 the land served as one of the filming locations for “Sergeant York.” The film, starring Gary Cooper, was based on the diary of Alvin C. York, one of the most decorated soldiers of World War I. The film was spectacularly successful when it was released in 1941 and won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Gary Cooper.
During the course of World War II, part of the land was rented to the United States Military as a practice and training facility.
Following the end of the war the upper and lower shooting ranges were created. The Earb family leased the land that encompassed the upper range to the Gas Company while the lower range was owned by the U.S. Forestry Service. This was the beginning of the Angeles Sportsman's Club in 1946.
In the latter half of the 1940s the range was made more accessible with the construction of smoother roads to traverse the uneven terrain. Several new structures were also built that are still in use today. These structures have been added upon and improved over the years.
Eventually, the lower range land was acquired by the Gas Company from the U.S. Forestry Service through a local county land swap. In 1993 the lease with the Gas Company expired for the upper range and was leased to the Angeles Sportsman's Club. In 1996 an opportunity arose to purchase the upper range from the Earb family as well as the lower range from the Gas Company. The Canyon Land Corporation was formed to manage the transaction and the land. It is composed jointly of Canyon Oaks Sportsman’s Club, Crescenta Valley Sportsman’s Club, Panorama Sportsman’s Club, Gopher Flats Sportsmen’s Club, and the San Fernando Valley Sportsmen’s Club.
Working Man's Club
COSC is a "Working Man's Club", which means that we have no hired help or full-time care-takers to groom the well being of property & the land. Every member is required and expected to do their share of some work within the course of the each year.
These fun filled activities might include anyone of these:
- Chef for lunch or dinner cooking away
- Assisting in the organizing of an event
- Pitching in for a work party
- Special Club Projects (Creek Fire Repairs & Restorations)
- and much, much more...
Without this dedication and commitment, the club would cease to exist. So we thank each and every one of you for fulfilling your support and commitments to one another.