It was almost 30 years when little Pope Valley Volunteer Fire Department needed help. The old engine they had looked more like a museum piece, much less their working engine.

They needed lots of equipment, and were very limited in funds. A group of ranchers sat around and decided to hold a turkey shoot.

Now, Pope Valley is the other “Napa Valley,” a population about 300, located just over the hill from Napa and St. Helena and very rural.

Almost everyone hunted and fished. But when a fire happened, it could be more than an hour to count on Napa Valley to respond. Two ranchers, Brad Kirkpatrick and Rich Divita, organized the Pope Valley Gun Club.

They would donate the proceeds to the volunteer fire department.

That was back in 1978, and what has happened since is a bonus no one thought about at the time. Kids loved the shoot — as a matter of fact, several thousand youngsters shot their first gun at the shoot.

For many others it was their first ever chance to shoot at clay pigeons. This has turned out to be a family get-together.

Many people think of the Napa Valley as a wonderful place for wine and the arts. Not many people know that one of the highest percentages of the population are licensed hunters.

Napa County has two Ducks Unlimited chapters, each donating over $40,000 a year to ducks.

The CWA chapter, is one of the largest in California, donating over $1 million. Others spill over $500,000 a year to the benefit of wildlife and shooting sports.

So when Pope Valley kicked off their first ever “Turkey Shoot” with one range and one hand-held thrower and a deer run, little did they know what was to follow. They decided to have a breakfast and serve food for lunch.

Several hundred showed up from Napa, St. Helena and Calistoga, and in 1979 the Pope Valley Turkey Shoot had been launched. They wanted something that appealed to kids and adults.

Through the years, as the event grew, money helped restore not only the volunteer Fire Dept. and equipment, but today the Pope Valley school and Farm Center as well.

Something new is added almost yearly. Today there are lots of events for the kids, from the ring duck toss, wheel of fortune and pistol darts.

For the older teens, a 22-caliber range and two beginner stations where youngsters from 9 years old and up compete with clay pigeons. Another attraction added last year was a paint ball range.

Each station for adults and kids has five shooter spots, and it gets very competitive.

The Pope Valley Turkey Shoot is a tradition in this Valley. People come from all over to enjoy and relive their early memories. Three generations now enjoy the event. When the event date is announced, it is put on calendars and circled as big as Christmas.

This year’s date is Oct. 21. The cost is $5 a round, and last year 750 turkeys were given out.

Only gauges of .410 to 12 gauge can be used, and the shot is not to exceed 11⁄8 ounces.

Today when you show up, there will be the traditional pancake breakfast with the same volunteers cooking and serving. Many are second generation helpers.

There are many booths with T-shirts, sweatshirts and leather goods, caps and lots of outdoor items. For lunch, the famous tri-tip and hot dogs will be served.

Rich Divita has since sold his ranch in Pope Valley, but he is back every year to help organize the shoot and act as the Range Master.

According to Divita, “I may have left, but my heart will always be here with my friends, and I love to help those first time youngsters on the range. We are proud of our safety record over the years. Never a serious problem.”

Now when you think of the Wine Country, remember Pope Valley and one of California’s premier Turkey Shoots.

George Carl can be reached at gcarl@sbcglobal.net