It is not often you can shoot a .22 in a hall crowded with people.
The Perryvale Turkey Shoot is one such event, which has been awarding turkeys to the sharpest shooter for over 35 years, and the tradition continued Nov. 11 at the Perryvale Community Hall.
“It’s a good family night. We like to make it a family night, so everyone will have fun,” said Nick Banbole, Perryvale Community Hall member.
Aside from the boarded off gun range in one corner of the hall, there are kids games spread out in the other corners of the hall, including fishing a kids gun shoot.
“The idea of the fish pond and little cork gun shoots is so that young kids keep away from the adults guns. It keeps them in their own corner and they’re happy,” Banbole said.
When the turkey shoot began decades ago, Banbole said there were also turkey shoots in neighbouring communities such as Clyde, Dapp, Rochester and Colinton, but the Perryvale is the only one to have survived.
“We kind of made it a special day, for Remembrance Day, to get everyone together for Remembrance Day,” Banbole said. “We have a lot of people come out from the city to visit their veterans.” He added people come from far and wide for the Turkey Shoot, including Calling Lake, Spruce Grove, Stony Plane and Morinville.
Westlock resident Eddie Dyk said he has gone to turkey shoots for years, and since the Perryvale is the last one around, he “had to come here.”
“This one here is an unbelievable turnout,” he said. “It’s a fun environment, that’s why people come. Look at the turnout here.”
Barb Speers, hall member, said the Perryvale Board Hall was very pleased at the generosity of local businesses in their donations for draws and prizes, that there were 167 donations.
“Also, a huge thank you to all the people that attended and all the many volunteers that made this 2017 Turley Shoot a big success,” she said.
By the end of the shoot 30 shooters walked away with a bird for their Christmas dinner. David Semrok was awarded the Junior Trophy with 22 points, which was donated by the Carl Damon family, and Ryan Doherty won the Sr. Trophy with 28 points, which was donated by the Leo and Lydia Beller family.
