Turkey Shoot benefits children’s home

By MICAH HENRY

The sound of gunfire, off and on for about two hours last Friday evening, didn’t signal a skirmish or police standoff. No, instead it was a polite band of careful shooters who had gathered to help a good cause.

Yes, the Wagon Wheel Turkey Shoot, in Ellendale, is held on Fridays during certain months to help benefit the Tri-State Baptist Children’s Home in Bristol, TN.

The host couple for the turkey shoot is Dan and Regina Jordan, who have a dedicated shed and target range set up for the shoot at 2488 Old NC 90.

Dan explained that he had a stroke a few years ago and has recovered much of his abilities. He credits the Lord with his recovery and wants to use his regained abilities to help others. He felt led to contribute to the children’s home and is raising funds currently for five new dressers and end tables for the children, as a new dormitory is being furnished for the girls.

Although each shooter pays a fee, Dan says he doesn’t host the shoots for a profit.

“If you were doing this for the money, you’d go broke,” he explains.

At the events, shooters register, pay a fee, and are assigned a number. The number corresponds to the numbered target they will aim their shotguns at from the firing line. The range has targets numbered from 1 to 20 placed 75 feet away. Dan furnishes the shells for the shooters (#8 shot), the targets, and the packs of meat which are the prizes for shooters. Shotguns in .410, 20 gauge, or 12 gauge are allowed. Most shooters use 12 gauge guns.

After each round of shooting, targets are compared. The shooter with the pellet puncturing the target closest to the bullseye crosshair gets the prize. If more than one shooter gets the crosshair or equally close to the crosshair, those shooters each take aim at new targets for a shoot-off. The shoot consists of ten rounds.

If a shooter at the end of the shoot hasn’t won anything, a consolation prize, such as a pocket knife, is awarded to the best shooter in the eleventh round.

Mrs. Jordan cooks up “Smithey” burgers and hot dogs for the evening. These, along with chips, sodas, and water are available to buy.

Shooters of all ages come to the range and try their skill at the targets. At Friday’s event, this included shooters ranging in age from 14 to 85.

Several at that shoot were first-time visitors, including Phillip Boyles, of Denver, NC, who attended with his son, Wes, of Ellendale. Across the road neighbors of the Jordans, Ron Gilbert and son, Braxton, had fun attending for the first time, too.

The Wagon Wheel Turkey Shoot is held on Friday evenings during February, March, April, and September, so as not to interfere with the Heritage Club shoots, located across from Little River
Baptist Church, which are held in January, October, and November.

For more information on the Wagon Wheel Turkey Shoot, call Dan Jordan at 828-406-1492.