By Darryl Buning
MOOREFIELD, WV — Local marksmen, outdoor enthusiasts, and families gathered at the Hardy County Rod & Gun Club on Saturday, July 18th, for the highly anticipated Summer Shootout. Held as a highlight of the region’s Poultry Week 2026 festivities, the event was hosted in partnership with Pilgrim’s Pride and brought high-caliber competition to the club’s facilities at 60 South Fork Estates III.
From black-powder classics to fast-paced clay targets, the day featured sharp shooting and spirited community rivalry across several divisions.
High-Flying Action at the Skeet Shoot
The morning kicked off at 10:00 AM with the Skeet Shoot competition. Competitors brought their own firearms and ammunition to the line, while the club provided eye and ear protection to ensure a safe environment for all.
– The Challenge: Shooters took 10 shots at 10 clay birds per round at $10 per entry.
– The Drama: Because shooters were allowed unlimited rounds to post their best scores, the leaderboard shifted constantly. Several deadlocks were broken in dramatic fashion with tense, sudden-death 2-bird shoot-offs.
Honoring a Legacy: Gary Butts Memorial Shoot
Running concurrently at 10:00 AM was the Gary Butts Memorial Shoot. Organized by the Potomac Valley Muzzleloader Club, this special muzzleloader competition brought a historical flair to the range. Traditional black-powder shooters demonstrated remarkable precision, keeping both the heritage of the sport and the memory of Gary Butts alive for another year.
Precision Under Pressure: .22 Long Rifle Competition
In the afternoon, the range transitioned to small-bore precision with the .22 Long Rifle competition at 1:00 PM. With entry fees set at just $5 per round, shooters took advantage of the unlimited-round format to try and secure the perfect target.
To keep the competition fierce but fair, the event was split into three targeted divisions:
– 18 & Under: Showcasing the impressive discipline of the community’s youth shooters.
– Men’s: A highly competitive field where fractions of an inch separated the top spots.
– Women’s: A stellar turnout of local markswomen displaying outstanding accuracy.
Winners in each class were determined by their single best 5-shot round, making every pull of the trigger count.
A Successful Poultry Week Tradition
The annual Summer Shootout once again proved to be a cornerstone event for Poultry Week, successfully blending sportsmanship, safety, and community camaraderie. The Hardy County Rod & Gun Club and Pilgrim’s Pride extended their gratitude to all the volunteers, organizers, and competitors who made the 2026 shootout a resounding success.
