Yeti shoot

Yeti shoot

The Poinsett County shooting team, which consists of Griffin Runsick (from left), Lawson Fielder, Kalea Anschultz and Riley Guzlewicz.

Outdoors Columnist Turkey shoots in the fall were once very popular.

Every town and organization had a fall Saturday shoot with the winner of each round winning the Thanksgiving Special. It was usually a dollar a round with ten or eleven shooters to the squad. Most places had at least ten rounds for the afternoon with a champions round for the shooters that had won a round. There was usually a nice trophy or money to the winner.

Crawfordsville had the last shoot that I can remember.

They have a big event in the near future, perhaps a return to a shoot?

Last Saturday I drove to the Parkin Fire Dept Annual Skeet Shoot. Sean Patterson was in charge and had a good crowd. It cost $5.00 per round with two buy backs. If you miss, for $5.00 more you can try again.

Quite a few shooters were digging in their jeans for more money. No turkeys at this shoot, but very nice prizes like Yeti coolers and a shotgun. I watched a young man, 15 year old Lawson Fielder from Jonesboro, win two Yeti Coolers worth about $400.00 each.

There were several young shooters including the Poinsett County shooting team composed of Griffin Runsick, Lawson Fielder, Kalea Anschultz, and Riley Guzlewicz. They are high school shooters guided by the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission shooting program. Crittenden County was represented by Cole Mooney and Michael Rushing. I had to leave before they won their squads.

It would be nice if some organization in Crittenden County would sponsor a “Turkey Shoot” this fall. If you do, please let me know well in advance and we will see if we can help you get a good crowd. There are lots of young shooters enjoying the AG& FC programs, not counting all the older hunters wanting to show off their shooting talents. An old fashioned turkey shoot would not be too expense to put on and would make some money. With a little effort, sponsors could be found.

You may have noticed that most of my young shooters stories belong to programs that are out of Crittenden County. This is not by choice. I have tried to get some of our local teams and coaches to tell of their highlights and future shoots. So far, no luck. As outdoors folks, we need to hear about the success our kids have.

Please give me some shooting news.

Dove season is in full swing with many good hunts. Early Canada goose season opened on Sept.1 and goes all month with a daily 5 bird limit. There is a 15 bird passion limit. Big birds are always fun to hunt and most of these are local birds. I know you take pictures so send me some and tell me about the hunt. If a kid got his first limit, we need to brag about it. I don’t know if you don’t tell me.

Fall fishing will soon kick in with the cooler temps.

Some of the best crappie and bass fishing happens in late September and October.

Remember, always take that kid with you. A few years from now that memory will still be sharp and clear.Papa Duck Lakeside Taxidermy 870-732-0455 or 901-4823430 jhcriner@hotmail.com

By John Criner