Turkeys were prizes for black-powder shooters at Fort Connah on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the turkeys ran out.

Bob Saint-Lewis, Mark Steele and Les Parsells are all Fort Connah Restoration Society members and were dressed in period costume of the 1870s to 1900s, including beaded buckskins, for the muzzle-loading event, which also included a tomahawk toss, a poker shoot and a candle shoot.

Saint-Louis, president of the FCRS, said the group had a good turn-out, and most were experienced shooters. The event was a fundraiser for Heritage Through Art, a program for middle schoolers to encourage them to take an interest in Montana history through art. FCRS donates a $100 to each school that participates.

A shooter for more than 50 years, Saint-Louis said his father was a Marine Corps officer and had Saint-Louis out on the shooting range when he was 5 years old.

Other members of the FCRS were also present, helping the contest run smoothly. Susan Raub and Keith Hamilton were among the workers. Raub also took aim at the targets sometimes, while Hamilton said he helps with anything that needs doing.

Saint-Louis added that Fort Connah is open for black-powder shooters, especially interested but inexperienced marksmen and markswomen, on the second and fourth Saturday of every month.

Folks who aren’t interesting in being a rifleman but want to help kids learn more about Montana history by sending a donation to FCRS, P.O. Box 82, Charlo, MT, 59824.