Lion’s Club Turkey Shoot Returns

The much-requested Lions Club Turkey Shoot returned this year after a few hurricanes and some rejuvenation. This year’s event was a huge success! The Turkey Shoot was held on March 15-16th, 2025, at the Mayberry Cypress Tower Camp in Ochopee. The weather was beautiful, and the town came out to support this great organization. The Lions Club had their famous Chuckwagon selling steak burgers, hot dogs, chips, mullet filets, mullet dip, and drinks. Shooters competed in rounds that cost $5, $10, $20, & $50. There were 10 shooters in each round. The winner received 50% of the pot and the Lions Club received 50%. It was a win-win for all. 

It was two days of great shooting by marksmen experts and first-time shooters. There was shooting for everyone. Our youngest shooter of the weekend was PreK student Macy Bruscini, experiencing her first Turkey Shoot ever. Macy brought her family, which included grandmother, mom, cousins, aunts, and uncles. 

The Turkey Shoot also had long-time participants such as Ron Brooks, Dave Kellyhouse, and Capt. Skip Strong. There were several shooters which included Ron, Dave, Capt. Skip, Greg and Donna Jolley, and John and Jill Whitcomb, who came out both days to compete and support this great event. 

Sgt. Brad Whitcomb, who traveled the farthest and just home from active duty in Okinawa, Japan, participated with his dad, mom, and big brother on Saturday. It was a family event for many. We had fathers teaching their daughters and sons how to shoot. We had husbands teaching wives, sons teaching moms, and Lions Club volunteers teaching kids! The Lions Club sponsored a free kids shoot on both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, we had five kids in grades fifth through high school participate in the free Kids Shoot. Freshman Rylee Mayberry won the $20 kids shoot. On Sunday, we had eight kids shooting it out for the $20 kids shoot prize. Senior Gena Collins came out as the victor in the competitive shoot. The Sunday shoot had kids from grades PreK through 12th grade.  

On Sunday, the grand finale was a $50 shoot. There were 11 shooters competing for the grand prize of $275. The final shoot had two Everglades City High School students competing against the best shooters of the weekend. These two high school girls were the Lions Club kids shoot winners from Saturday and Sunday, Rylee Mayberry and Gena Collins. These two sharpshooters gave it their best shot but couldn’t beat Michael Merritt, who had a perfect bullseye! 

The Lions Club was able to raise $4,000 which will be used to benefit the Everglades City Community through their many outreach projects like Holly’s Hope, Fishers of Men, the Everglades City playground equipment, city park and street beautification projects, painting of the water tower, free hot dogs at the 4th of July celebrations, eye glasses, hot dogs and chips for the Everglades City School end of year celebration, and many more projects. 

The Lions Club 2025 Turkey Shoot couldn’t have been possible without the overwhelming support of these local sponsors: FLSCA, Everglades Fishing Company, Everglades Isle, Nate Edwards Fishing Tournament, Bob Wells Real Estate, Island Café, Gator Island Family Fun Center, Mayberry Photography, Shop Everglades, Rhino Guide Service, ARF Charters and Capt. Ariel DJ Alego, Camellia Street Grill, Triad, Winn Car Hardware, Right Choice Supermarket, Wildman’s Pizza, ORA & Kenny Brown, HavAnna Café, City Seafood, Mr. Wifflelure,and Capt. Skip, Diving Pelican Restaurant, Skunkape Headquarters, Bacardi USA, Conch Turbo Sauce, AND most importantly Robbie and Jordan Mayberry for hosting the event at The Mayberry Cypress Tower Camp! The Lions Club would like to thank these sponsors and all the volunteers and participants for helping to get this great event back to Everglades City. See you all next year!