About Us

Diablo Bowmen was started in the spring of 1954 through a newspaper advertisement placed by a group who were interested in bow hunting.

The first meeting resulted in about twenty members and a determination to find a place to setup a range.

After about two months, the City of Martinez provided eight acres of city park land, and the first 28 target range was created.

In the fall of 1960, an opportunity arose to lease 32 acres of property and a small frame house on the slopes of Mt. Diablo.

This required a tripling of club dues and a great deal of work to setup the new range. The result was a 42 target range that was recognized as one of the first NFAA Five-Star ranges in the US.

Sadly, in 1965, a portion of the leased land was sold and the club again had to vacate.

The club’s Board of Directors at the time, Dave Jensen – President, Chuck Hunter- Vice President, Bill Huckaby – Director, Darryl Marshall – Secretary and Harold Swanson – Director, issued a check for $20,000, a down payment to purchase 82 acres of land on the east side of Mt. Diablo.

The necessary remaining money was raised entirely from within the membership. On March 11, 1966 the club officially received the title to the land.

In April of 1971, approximately 19 acres were sold to pay off the original investors.