For those who are unaware, Izaak Walton was a very well-known English author and biographer best known as the author of "The Complete Angler." It’s a book that many of today's modern-day anglers have among their favorite collections of angling publications. He had a tremendous love for hunting and fishing, and it was in his honor and memory that the Izaak Walton Leagues of America was established.

The Izaak Walton Leagues of America Inc. is an American environmental organization founded in 1922 in Chicago that promotes natural resources protection and outdoor recreation, Local chapters started developing everywhere with members eagerly joining and having fun at the facilities.

I recently contacted the Kokomo Izaak Walton League and requested permission to meet with a representative to ask some questions and get some information for my "Outdoors with Bud" column for the Kokomo Lantern, and to discuss possibilities of returning again with my producer/cameraman to shoot a segment for my "Outdoors with Bud" podcast.

I was graciously greeted by five members, and we sat at a table inside the club house. I started asking questions, and it was great discussing the facility and noticing the chances that had occurred since my initial experience.

The local facility in Kokomo is located at 2629 S, CR 200 E, and was founded in 1924. It has approximately 500 members and is one of the oldest and most successful conservation organizations. It is the only organization training, equipping, and coordinating volunteer water quality monitors on a national scale and protecting outdoor America in communities across the country, working strategically at the national level to win critical conservation battles.

They have open memberships available to anyone interested in joining. New family memberships are $218, and renewable family memberships are $205. New single memberships are $162, and renewable single memberships are $147.

The Kokomo Izaak Walton League has a lot of things and activities to offer. They have trap shooting, skeet shooting, sporting clays, archery shooting, and rifle and pistol shooting ranges. They also have several events for area schools, offering educational shooting classes and shooting events every month.

If you are interested in learning how to shoot trap, skeet, sporting clays, archery or pistol, there are always skilled, friendly people who are willing to help you out and show you the ropes handling a firearm safely.

I know from personal experience. I was a member of the Izaak Walton League of Kokomo back in the mid-1960s to early 1980s, and I enjoyed shooting archery as well as shooting trap and skeet. I made so many friends who taught me how to safely handle firearms and how to reload my own shotgun shells.

I was certified as an Indiana Hunter Safety Education instructor at the Kokomo Izaak Walton League clubhouse in 1974, and the memories I made are still with me today. I am certain there are many more to be made there.

I can also assure you, in the near future, my producer/cameraman and I will be visiting the Kokomo Izaak Walton League again to shoot our podcast. Stay tuned, and I hope you will consider visiting the Kokomo Izaak Walton League and see the activities offered and consider joining. It’s a great place with great people and great times.