Elks turkey shoot fun, aids veterans

Ivy Moore / The Item Competitors fire at individual paper targets trying to win a turkey, more tickets to shoot or cash at the Sumter Elks Lodge on Sunday afternoon. In front kneeling is Jerry Wilbur, who kindly let the writer use his gun to win a turkey.

By IVY MOORE
Item Features Editor
ivym@theitem.com

Don't let inexperience stop you from taking part in The Sumter Elks Lodge's turkey shoot this year, advises Steve Guest, the chairman of the lodge's veterans chairman.

"It's all for fun," he said, "and you might even win."

The 29th annual Woody Hurt Veterans' Turkey Shoot started on Oct. 11 and will continue through Dec. 13.

Sunday's shoot started at 1 p.m. It was cool with a light drizzle off and on during the afternoon. That didn't keep anyone away, however.

The majority of Sunday's contestants have been participating for years — and they do want to win — but mostly just for "bragging rights" within their circle of friends. Of course, if you're a really good shot, you can shoot all afternoon for just a few dollars.

It works like this: There are 11 shooting stands and 11 targets about 40 feet away. Most people bring their own 12- or 20-gauge shotguns, and the Elks provide the cartridges. You get a ticket for one shot for $2.50, and the person whose shot hits closet to intersection of the X in the middle of the target wins. Then the shooter has the choice of four tickets, $10 cash or a frozen turkey. On Sunday, several competitors held four or five winning tickets before the afternoon was half over.

Guest pointed out that many of the contestants, like Calvin Blocker and Rick Ayres, shooting for their church, Westside Baptist, donate their winnings to local charities, including United Ministries of Sumter County, Christian Charities and the Salvation Army.

At the end of the entire competition on Dec. 13, three trophies are awarded — one each to the man, woman and young person who had the most winning rounds during that time. Jonathan LeBleu, who was shooting Sunday, has won the men's trophy for two of the past three years.

The biggest beneficiaries of the turkey shoot are veterans, however. Guest noted that the Elks have used the proceeds to provide support and assistance to U.S. military veterans in Sumter, Lee and Clarendon counties. Last year, the Elks used some of the proceeds to furnish rooms in W.B. Dorn VA Hospital's hospice ward for "departing warriors." They also provide for toiletries and other personal needs for male and female veterans in assisted living facilities in all three counties.

On a personal note: Guest's advice to non-sharpshooters proved to be true. Jerry Wilbur, who often participates in the shoot, offered to let me use his 12 gauge. I paid my $2.50, aimed carefully, and — I add proudly — "tore the target up," according to Jerry. When the targets were gathered for examination by the judges, sure enough I'd won. And I have a little bruise from the gun's kick to prove it.

If you're interested in participating in the turkey shoot, just show up at the Elks Lodge, 1100 W. Liberty St., between 1 p.m. and dark any Sunday afternoon through Dec. 13, or for more information, call Guest at (803) 469-3748.



Reach Features Editor Ivy Moore at ivym@theitem.com or (803) 774-1221.