Story and Photos by Bob Sofaly
The Parris Island Rod and Gun Club came alive with shotgun fire during club’s 51st annual turkey shoot on Saturday on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
Jim Van Dam, club president, said participants were allowed to bring their own shotguns or borrow one from club members. Smaller .410 shotguns were also available for children to shoot under strict adult supervision.
There was reunion-like atmosphere as old friends came together near a 55-gallon drum with a lively fire burring in it; questions of family health and how many grandchildren had come into the world since they had seen each other last. Whole families, some with three generations at once, participated and shot in multiple relays hoping to win one of the big birds.
Van Dam said the nonprofit club had 46 relays with 20 shooters per relay, each paying $2 per shell for a chance to win turkeys, hams and full meal prizes as well as three door prizes.
