By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The smell of gunpowder, and the shout of “pull,” the echoes of shotgun blasts, and the clank of discharged shotgun shells filled the air Saturday at the Conservation League as the Liberty Township Fire Department hosted a Trap Shoot.
Taking aim for the claim of best shot, a few of the county’s safety forces gathered together at 1 p.m. at the Conservation League for the annual Liberty Township Trap Shoot. Originally part of the Liberty Township Firefighter’s Festival, Rick Harley explained why the event was moved away from the festival.
“Last year we done it during our Fireman’s Festival, but it was just too much for the guys to come up here and go back there and do everything,” Harley said.
Harley explained that the event was a way for the safety forces in the county to gather together and have fun.
“We try to invite all of the police and fire organizations in Crawford County,” Harley said. “It’s fun when the different departments gather together and have fun for bragging rights.”
Bragging rights weren’t the only thing at stake at the trap shoot as trophies were handed out for first and second place teams, top shot, and the Bent Barrel Trophy for worst shot.
The Trap Shoot teams shot in two rounds of 25 shots with 5 shots at each station. The 
second round station placings would be determined off the first round’s handicap for the contestants. In the end, the team with the most hits on the clay pigeon target would win.
Taking home first place was the Tiro Fire Department. Liberty Township Fire Department finished as the second place team. Taking home the Bent Barrel Trophy was Wyatt Caldwell. With 47 out of 50 hits made, the top shot was Mike Wilson. Wilson explained he hadn’t shot trap in a while prior to the shoot.
“I did alright I guess,” Wilson said. “I haven’t shot since last year at this event. I used to shoot a lot more.”