The weather wasn't the best the Cariboo could offer in mid-May, but that didn't stop 44 trap-shooting enthusiasts from taking aim at the Quesnel Rod and Gun Club spring turkey shoot.
The drizzle only added to the challenge, organizer Adam Veley said.
With 61 prize packs everyone had a shot at winning and several shooters from Quesnel stuffed their game bags with steak packs, hams, turkeys, birch syrup and cash.
Among the winners, Jordan Booth was on top if his game and was Quesnel's sharpshooter of the day.
Booth, in his first appearance at a turkey shoot, ascribed his success to beginner's luck, but quickly added he received some helpful advice from senior club members.
"They were very approachable and eager to help people new to the sport," Booth said.
"Without their advice I wouldn't have done so well."
Booth collected four prizes for his efforts, including a win in his first try at an Annie Oakley event and a win in the Bushwacker event.
Fraser Bell also had a keen eye on the day and won three events.
Peter Malic took home three prizes, a turkey from the paper turkey event, another turkey after edging Ernie Davidson of Williams Lake in a five-round shoot-off for another turkey and a ham for his marksmanship in a buddy shoot with partner Al Olson of Lumby, again in a shoot-off.
The father and son team of Robert and Darrel Anderson also had a good day.
Bob Anderson, 80, shot a perfect 10 to take a buddy shoot event with partner Larry Norbek of Prince George.
Anderson, who took up trapshooting at the age of 21 after being talked into by friends, then showed a couple of young guns how it was done to win another turkey after two rounds of overtime.
Anderson, who shot a perfect 100/100 in his younger days, said his strategy was simple.
"I try not to guess which direction the pigeon is going to go," he said.
Darrel, followed in his fathers footsteps and picked up three prizes for his efforts in an Annie Oakley event, a 16-yard event and for a perfect 10/10 round.
Gord Johnston also had a sharp eye, collecting two steak packs and a ham for winning both Annie Oakley events and a buddy shoot with Tim Johnson.
Not on the winners list were novice shooters Riley Heinzelman of Quesnel and Breanna Davidson of Williams Lake.
For Heinzelman, a Grade 6 student at Parkland elementary school, it was only his second appearance at a trap-shoot.
Heinzelman took up trap-shooting to sharpen his rabbit and grouse-hunting skills, but also admitted he had his eye on the prizes.
"It would be fun to win a free turkey," he said with a smile.
"That would be fun."
Davidson, a Grade 9 student in Williams Lake, initially took up trapshootng after seeing her brothers enjoy the sport.
"It's fun, it's something different," she said.
With a year's worth of experience under her belt, Davidson admitted her motivation has shifted.
"I want to beat my brothers," she said with a big smile.
Other winners from Quesnel included:
Greg Gerich teamed up with Tim Johnson in a 10-person Buddy shoot to win a steak pack.
D’Arcy Longeway capitalized on a 4 shot shoot-off round against Tim Johnson to win a steak pack.
Matt Harrington won two turkeys after winning two 16-yard competitions.
Wayne Lindstrom won a steak pack in a 16-yard event.
Ron Holt entered only two events and won them both via shoot-off to win a ham and a Sweet Tree Ventures birch syrup pack.
John MacDonald ran a nearly perfect nine to earn an early Thanksgiving turkey.
Tim Johnson teamed up with Gord Johnston and then Greg Gerich to win 2 steak packs.
Adam Veley was one of three finalists in the Bushwhacker event and won a ham.
Justin White obliterated nine clay targets to claim a Sweet Tree Ventures birch syrup pack.
Lumby
Al Olson teamed up with Peter Malic and won a ham in a 10-person buddy shoot, then won a steak pack in an Annie Oakley event, and teamed up with Reid Williston of Williams Lake to take first place in another buddy shoot.
Vanderhoof
Father and son team of Norm and Wyatt Giesbrecht each broke seven birds to earn two steak packs.
Junior shooter Tyler Stevenson broke eight birds to win a steak pack.
Mackenzie
Sam Davis chipped six targets to win a steak pack in a 16-yard event then won a cash prize after a shoot off against Wyatt Giesbrecht of Vanderhoof.
Prince George
Jim Simpson got into a shoot-off against Sam Davis of Mackenzie. After three rounds Jim walked away with a ham. A second shoot-off against Paul Cailleaux proved that Jim is good under pressure as he earned a steak pack.
Larry “Deadeye” Norbek teamed up with “Uncle” Bob Anderson of Quesnel to win a ham in a 10-person Buddy shoot. Larry was a finalist in the 1st Annie Oakley event and earned a turkey for his efforts. Making nine birds disappear was good for a steak pack in a 16-yard event. Teaming up with Reid Williston of Williams Lake got him a second place finish in the Big Buddy shoot.
Paul Cailleaux was a finalist in the second Annie Oakley event and won a steak pack.
Travis Garrow proved that 8 is enough to win a steak pack in a 16-yard event.
Williams Lake
Barry Jenkins earned his Sweet Tree Ventures birch syrup pack by running a perfect 10 in a 16-yard event.
George Chignell won a paper turkey and then broke nine pigeons to tie with Justin White of Quesnel. After a brief shoot-off, George walked away with a steak pack.
Reid Williston had an excellent day. He won a ham in the first Amie Oakley event. Then he snagged a turkey in an expert level 16 yard sporting clays shoot. He won a steak pack in the Bushwhacker event and then finished first and second in the Big Buddy shoot. His partners were Al Olson of Lumby and Larry Norbek of Prince George.
Fabulous volunteers for the event were Mike Pelchat, Katrenia Veley, Gord and Sonja Johnston, Tim Johnson, Amanda White, Sherry White, Wayne Lindstrom and Tony Koett
The organizers also thank their sponsors
Backer Logging Ltd. Blue Collar Silviculture Ltd. Cariboo Hiab Service Ltd. D’Arcy’s Glass Extra Foods Grant Webster Excavating Ltd. Lookin’ Good Exteriors Quesnel Sand & Gravel R & R Bulldozing Ltd. Sign Stop Zapper Contracting Ltd.