For years, fish and game clubs have hosted turkey shoots to prove which marksman is the group’s top shot. On Oct. 10, Boothbay Fish & Game Association held its own turkey shoot which gave awards to winners in several categories. 

The top marksmen, categories, rifles and prizes are as follows: Butch Denslow, card shoot 1, shotgun,  whole chicken; Taylor Pinkham, 22 shoot 1, .22 rimfire, small ham; Taylor Pinkham, skeet shoot 1, shot gun, pork loin; Tom Davis, bench shot (100 yards), hunting rifle, whole chicken; Butch Denslow, Card Shoot 2, shotgun, whole chicken; Eric Kelley, 22 Shoot 2, .22 rimfire, stuffed chicken breast;  and Tom Davis, skeet shoot 2, shotgun, Bison steak.

John Splaine has been the Association’s president for seven years. The avid fisherman is now chiefly responsible for running the club’s monthly Wednesday night meetings. “I was talking about fishing with a couple of guys about how much I like to fish, and they  told me I should join,” Splaine said.

Now Splaine is one of over 175 BFGA members. The club began in 1913 with a mission of preserving and enhancing the region’s natural resources, with emphasis on game animals, birds, and fresh and saltwater fish. “We strive to promote our members’ and the public’s interest in sporting activities, with special focus on hunting, fishing and target shooting,” Splaine said. 

The BFGA club is on Dover Road and open only to members. The club lets members practice their marksmanship. Chase Licursi, 11, is a member and participated in the turkey shoot. He hunts, and learned about marksmanship from his grandfather Tom Davis. “It’s just something fun that I like to do,” he said. 

Licursi is now encouraging a new member to improve his marksmanship. On Oct. 10, his father Matt Spurgin participated in his first turkey shoot. “This is my first time here. We’ve been doing some practicing at home, but I’m expecting another child in a couple days, and wanted to spend some more time with him,” Spurgin said.