The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-02
THEIR ANNUAL TURKEY SHOOT.
SAVANNAH RIFLEHEN'S DAY At
ANONDALE RANGE.

Members of the ninc Association
VIII shoot for ana at Turkeys
and Eat Oysters and sandwiches
without Regard to the Weather.
How the Shooting Is DOne-Presi-
dent Cults Expects the Association
TO Develop Some Fine shots for
Savnnnah's sea Girt Team This
Year.
The annual prize contest Of the Savan-
nah Rifle Association for turkeys, inc!ud-
ing shooting at live turkeys. viii take place
to-day at the Avondale range. The New
Years turkey shoot is always an event
of marked interest with the rifle associa-
ton, and it is not necessary to predict that
there win be a large attendance of the
members at the range. The oyster roast
with the usual Accomplishments is in itself
not a small addition to the attractions Of
the shoot
. For the purposes of the shoot the asso-
citation is divided into classes according to
the skill Of the members as judged by
their past records. the best shots being
pitted against each other so that others
less skilful may also have the opportu-
nifty of winning turkey. There are US
ually five classes with two prizes in each
class. The member making the highest
score in each class receives an order on a
local dealer for a fine dressed turkey.
1t is the second prizes which will furnish
the chief interest of the shoot. These
prizes are live turkeys and. will be con-
tested for by shooting al the head of the
turkey at a distance of 100 yards. On
last New Years day the president of the
association Mr.. e. A. CUTS, presented
the association with a dozen live turkeys,
which were contested for in the manner
stated This sport caused great merri-
ment and since then the members have
been DESTROYS of shooting only a live tur-
keys.
No one need get the idea that the sport
is a cruel one. The reverse Is the case The
turkey to be shot al is placed behind a
barricade which. completely protects its
body, leaving only the head exposed. Corn
is scattered over the top of the barricado
and the turkeys having been left hungry
for the occasion the bird proceeds to peck
the corn. This is where the skill of the
marksman comes into play. Il is not such
an easy thing to hit a turkeys head at 100
yards, especially when the turkey is La
bic to move his head at any moment. The
expert marksman bides his time and fires
just as the turkeys head is poised 20
peck the grain. The best shots in the as
ISOLATION are so expert, however, that they
have little difficulty in hitting the turkey s
head at 100 yards. The result is instan-
taneous death to the turkey.
The weapon used by the members OF the
association in their turkey contests is the
Winchester rifle. The butts at the Avon
dale range are in good condition and as
there is hardly a possibility that anyone
will be so ineXpert as to miss the entire
butt there is no danger to parties who
might happen to be beyond the butts in the
line of fire.
The use of the Avondale range by the
troops of the Seventh Army Corps was
discontinued after the troops were supplied
with the new United States rifle. This was
not because of the greater penetrating
power of the new guns, but because the
troops were so wild in their marksman-
ship that many of them missed the butts
entirely. AS the new rifle has a range OF
about two miles this greatly increased the
danger zone, and The consequent liability
to accident.
Last New Years day was one of the
coolest days ever known in Savannah ant
The rifiemen wore their overcoats while
shooting 1t looks very much as if they
might repeat this experience to-day. A fine
supply of oysters has been secured. how.
ever, and with a plentiful supply of sand
witches and the usual refreshments, the
members will be prepared to defy the
weather. '5.
'The rifle association is in a prosperous
condition" said President f. A. Cuts tc
Morning News reporter yesterday. THE
members arc looking forward with a great
deal of pleasure TO the regular rifle prac-
tees which will be resumed the first
Thursday in April. The chances are that
a number Of good shots will be developed
for the Sea Girt team this year. The in
terest in the Sea Girt contests this year is
likely to be greater than ever before on
account of the greater interest in sharp
shooting as ii result of the recent war
Georgia must defend the trophies which
she holds and it will require good work
to retain them. The members of the Sea
Girt team all recognize the great benefit
they have in the schooling they receive in
the rifle association. The constant team
practice on the range is of great advant-
age. The Savannah Rifle Association has
probably developed more fine shots during
the last few years than any similar asso-
citation anywhere throughout the entire
country. Although the rifle association
does not directly participate in the Sea
Girt contests it has a great deal to do with
equipping the members of the teams
which represent Georgia there"