Annual gun show and meat shoot held

Saturday night saw a lot of Marksman and Markswomen take their chance at winning prizes at the trap shooting range at the Chinook Rod and Gun Club shooting range. "We had 22 total shooters," said board member Joe Kennedy. The event was held in conjunction with the gun show held at the commercial building at the fairgrounds.

Shooting started at 3 pm, and continued into the darkness, with several participants creating their own competitions. Several individuals took home meat bundles and other prizes provided by Joe and Amanda Reed, Gordon Cattle Co., Wholesome Beef Direct, and Northern Lights Roofing.

Top winners for the evening went to Ivey Lenz and James Albertson who split the Money Bird pot, and Makena Albertson walked away with the Annie Oakley pot. Youngest shooter of the day and also a winner was 12 year old Penny Albertson.

Proceeds were split between the Rod and Gun Club, which will go towards improvements to the rifle range area, and the Lions Club for help with the new skate park. The Lions also served pronto pups for the event.

The aforementioned gun show is the largest fundraiser for the Rod and Gun Club. This year was their 12th annual. Due to available space the maximum 80 tables were all sold. Vendors from all over Montana attended the event. Final figures were not available at press time. According to treasurer, Frank Peherson, over 400 people came through the doors. This was down from previous years. "We had a lot of competition out there with farmers seeding thanks to the nice weather, and ball games and weddings," Peherson said, "but there were an awful lot of guns that went out the door." Keri Hanson provided concessions for the show.

Part of the money raised is used for the Rod and Gun Club Scholarship Fund. Other money is used for maintenance and upkeep of the rifle ranges. "This year, we also donated a speaker system to the commercial building at the fairgrounds," said Peherson. "It is available to anyone in the community to use."

Sponsers for the event included Triple T Sales, EZ Mart in Harlem, The Mint Bar, Treasure State Title, Jamieson Motors, ACE Hardware, Peherson's Firestone, Chinook Automotive, Gibson Chiropractic, Wilderness Funeral Home, and Blaine County Printing and Signs.