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What were they thinking???? [:@]

http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/29722

Sportsmen’s group cited for turkey kill
Tied down live birds in archery contest

By Brett Lovelace
Intelligencer Journal
Published: Jan 26, 2007 2:02 AM EST

LANCASTER COUNTY, PA - Investigators have charged an Elstonville sportsmen’s group with violating state animal-cruelty laws for using live turkeys mounted on targets during a September archery contest.
Participants whose arrows hit the turkeys won the animals as prizes.

Farm Sanctuary of Pennsylvania Humane Society Officer Keith Mohler spent about four months investigating the Sept. 9 event at Elstonville Sportsman’s Association, 3133 Pinch Road.

The club could be fined up to $4,000 for the violations.

Mohler worked undercover at the event and photographed the archers and turkeys impaled with arrows.

The turkeys, weighing 20 to 25 pounds each, were fastened to straw bales by their feet. They were able to move their wings.

After the turkeys were wounded, they were beheaded, Mohler said.

“This case is not a hunting issue, and it is not about the killing of animals for food,” Mohler said. “This is about certain individuals seeking amusement from the senseless torture of animals.”

“It was unnecessary, unsportsmanlike and perhaps the most gutless act of cruelty I’ve seen.”

Members of the club’s board of directors did not immediately return telephone calls seeking comment Thursday.

“Using live animals as prizes is illegal. It’s animal cruelty,” said Christine L. Wilson, the Lancaster County assistant district attorney prosecuting the case. “This type of conduct is against the law and will be prosecuted.”

Mohler attended the turkey shoot after a female club member complained to him.

The woman ******ed Mohler to the club grounds, where contestants, including children, paid $12 for three attempts to hit a turkey with an arrow.

The archers fired from three spots at turkeys mounted on the bales. Children were allowed to shoot from less than 50 feet, Mohler said.

“If you drew blood, you won the turkey,” Mohler said. “Then the turkey’s head was cut off, and someone processed it on site.”

Alcohol was served at the contest, which began about 7:30 a.m. Mohler arrived around 2 p.m. and saw three turkeys killed. Overall, 40 turkeys died, he said.

“The turkeys were hit with body shots,” Mohler said. “They squawked and cried out. They were not killed instantly.”

Mohler called state police, and troopers shut down the event, prompting complaints from club members.

“They were outraged at the state police,” Mohler said. “They didn’t think they did anything wrong. Just because something is used for food is not a free pass to torture.”

During his investigation, Mohler interviewed several club members and the man who supplied and processed the turkeys.

The club was cited for eight summary violations of state animal cruelty laws, including four counts of cruel or ill treatment of animals and four counts of offering live animals as prizes in a contest.

The cruel or ill treatment charges carry maximum fines of $750 each. The other charges carry maximum fines of $250.

District Judge John C. Winters issued a summons to the club Monday. A club representative can plead guilty and pay fines set by the judge or plead not guilty and request a hearing before Winters.

The club, which has about 1,500 members, charges an annual membership fee of $40 and conducts block shoots, sporting clays, 3-D archery and cowboy action shoots.

A Super Bowl party and Valentine’s Day dance are scheduled for next month at the club, which includes a dining room and bar.

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