West Virginia Muzzleloaders Association to Host Hunters Helping the Hungry Benefit Shoot May 17

            The West Virginia Muzzleloaders Association will host a benefit muzzleloader shoot near Beverly, Randolph County on Saturday, May 17, to benefit the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources’ Hunters Helping the Hungry (HHH) Program, according to Association President Stan Reed. 

            “We have held this event for years in order to benefit the very deserving Hunters Helping the Hungry Program,” said Reed.  “All entrance fee monies, donations, and silent auction funds will go toward the HHH Program. We encourage muzzleloaders and others from around the state to come to Beverly and participate in or watch this fun event, allowing the Muzzleloaders Association to assist the neediest of West Virginians.”

            The event will be held at the Tygart Valley Muzzleloader Range, located 6 miles up Files Creek Road (CR 37-8), which begins in the Town of Beverly. The range is only ¼ mile past the Isaac Walton League Clubhouse.  The event will start at 10 a.m. and end at approximately 2 p.m. Because it is a covered range, the event will be held rain or shine. A limited supply of lunch sandwiches will be available at the range, but participants are also advised to pack their own snacks. Participants may use any muzzleloader that’s legal in West Virginia (including scoped muzzleloaders) and will shoot at 25, 50 and 100 yards. As this event is similar to an “Old-time Blanket Shoot,” all participants are encouraged to bring prizes worth approximately $10, with winners selecting prizes first. “If participants wishing to be included in the prize swap cannot bring an approximately $10-value prize, a $10 bill will work,” said Reed.  “The point of the event is just to have fun and raise money for the HHH Program.”

            “On behalf of the HHH Program, we are delighted the West Virginia Muzzleloaders Association will once again host this event to benefit needy West Virginians,” said HHH Program Coordinator Jerry Westfall.  “Although the program accepts legally-harvested deer donated during the hunting season, it is also dependent on monetary donations to offset the costs of venison collection, processing, warehousing, and distribution. Without the active participation of organizations such as the West Virginia Muzzleloaders Association, the HHH Program could not exist.” 

            Those wishing more information on the West Virginia Muzzleloader Association – HHH Program Benefit Muzzleloader Shoot are encouraged to call Association President Stan Reed at (304) 265-4146. The HHH Program also accepts monetary donations year round.  For more information on the HHH Program or to make a donation, visit online www.wvdnr.gov/Hunting/HHH.shtm  or call (304) 558-2771.