FORT PIERRE — Although shooting begins today and runs until Friday, critters and varmints will not be harmed by the Varmint Hunters Association.

The week of shooting events will feature baseball-sized balloons “of prey” as the Varmint Hunters Association Inc. hosts its 16th annual Jamboree.

Jackie Rheborg, managing editor of the Varmint Hunter Magazine, said the only criteria to be a part of the Jamboree is participants must be a member of The Varmint Hunters Association Inc. and must be registered to be a part of the event.

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“We invite anyone to check out our week’s events, visit vendor’s booths and see the headquarters. All are welcome to watch the events, but if they aren’t a member they can’t take part in the speakers and such. But they are more than welcome to come out,” Rheborg said. 

All the shooting events are at 28050 U.S. Highway 14/34 west of Fort Pierre, the site of the international headquarters. While the magazine is the main service of the association, the shooting outings are a side event.

On Monday, the clubhouse opened for registration and drawings for the shooting relays were at 7 a.m.

The jamboree includes five classes of firearms and includes field stock, stock modified, limited open and unlimited open, as well as a 600-yard bench rest shoot and if time permits the Bushmaster Mr. Coyote Contest.

Each class has specific rules and regulations.

There also will be three speakers, including John Anderson and M.L. McPherson, Gordy Gritters and Jerry Stiller. There will be one speaker presenting today, Wednesday and Thursday.

“This event is very family-oriented. There is something for all of the family to do. This is almost like a big family reunion,” Rheborg said.

John Anderson, editor of the Varmint Hunter Magazine, said there will be prizes given to first through fifth places, with $5,000-$6,000 in cash prizes.

“There will also be thousands of dollars given out as door prizes over the course of the week and almost all will walk away with a door prize,” Anderson said.

Wagon rides were on Monday at 5 p.m. Two specific events for women include bingo and ice cream at the Ramkota featuring Silpada Jewelry and Miche Bags on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and dinner, drinks and karaoke at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Friday also includes a banquet and live auction.

The cost for the jamboree includes a $35 registration fee, $25 for each shooting event entered and $25 for the banquet.

For those registering at the door, registration is $45 and shooting $35.

Each participant must be a member of the Varmint Hunters Association before they can take part in the shooting events.

Rheborg said if anyone wants to join they can. A membership costs $30 and includes a magazine subscription and use of the range for one year.

Anderson said the targets for the event are three- to five-inch balloons suspended between mesh nets and placed at four varying ranges.

A balloon must be hit in order to score. The balloons at the farthest distance are worth the most points.

“This is an extremely tough shooting contest, but each participant knows instantly if they have hit or missed a balloon. The biggest factor in the event will be the wind. He or she that deals best with the wind will win,” Anderson said.

Rheborg expects between 400-500 people to be at the event.

Rheborg said the Varmint Hunters Association has about 78,000 members across the United States and 27 foreign countries.

Anderson also said each participant competes against people of their skill level and about the same standard for guns.

“It doesn’t matter what equipment you have, we have a place for you,” Rheborg said.