Sumter County Longbeards Hosts annual Turkey Shoot
The Sumter County Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) hosted a turkey shoot at the Sumter County Fair Ground.jpg)
s.
There were several field events available for those who attended; a Turkey Shoot event, a Trap & Skeet event, an Archery Event, and a BB gun event; there were drawings for guns, door prizes, lunch, a bake sale, and lots of fun for everyone.
In the Turkey shoot event youth and adult participants were taught proper gun safety and handling, proper shot placement, and given the opportunity to compete. The competition took place with groups of ten participants shooting targets, the top shooter in each group won $50.00.
During the Trap & Skeet shooting event youth and adult participants were taught proper handling and sighting techniques for the clay targets as they were thrown across the field in front of the shooter. Competition in this event took place in groups of five participants with the top shooter in each group winning $25.00.
Children and adults were taught proper handling and safety techniques of archery equipment in the Archery event. Participants were given the opportunity to use compound bows to shoot at targets. One participant; Beka Winningham , who had never handled archery equipment before, was able to shoot 5 bulls eyes in a row. Congratulations Beka.
Children were also given the opportunity to learn proper handling and taught how to shoot a lever action BB gun. Each child was asked the question “What is the number one rule when handling a gun?” only after they knew the answer were they allowed to participate. The top shooter of the day, Trenton Melton, went home with a brand new Red Rider BB gun. The second and third place winners were also given awards.
Chances were sold for two different gun drawings. One was a Benelli Super Nova 12 Gauge Camo Shotgun was won by Marilyn Connell from Sumter County. The second was a Buckmaster’s Edition Remington Model 700, 7MM-08 Rifle equipped with a Nikon Buckmaster’s Edition Scope was won by R. Klosset from Citrus County.
The youth that attended were automatically eligible to enter a free drawing for a Remington Youth Model 870, 20 gauge shotgun. The winner of this gun was Trenton Upshaw of Sumter County.
The day was a true success, lots of events, door prizes, drawing, lunch, a bake sale, and most of all fun for all who attended. Our appreciation to all of the following sponsors who helped make this day possible:
· Speckled Butterbean
· Beef O’Brady’s
· Nordic Sports & Linda’s Jewelry
· Pat’s Pawn and Gun
· Angler’s Mart
· Daily Commercial
· Sumter County Fair Association
· All of those individuals who attended
· All of those individuals who support our chapter on an ongoing basis
The NWTF is a nonprofit organization with more than 584,000 members in 50 states, Canada, Mexico and 14 foreign countries. It supports scientific wildlife 
management and conservation on public, private and corporate lands as well as wild turkey hunting as a traditional North American sport. For more information about the National Wild Turkey Federation or to find out how the Federation has helped areas in Florida, go to www.NWTF.org.
If you would learn more about the Sumter County Longbeard Chapter of the NWTF go to www.sumtercountylongbeards.com or call Greg Furlong at 352-303-4406.
