Patrols set for pigeon shoot area

Plans drawn up by local, state officials to handle clashes

Wednesday, April 3, 1991

The Journal Star (Peoria, IL)

By Toby Eckert

Fulton County sheriff's deputies and Illinois Department of Conservation police will patrol an area outside a private gun club near Canton that has been targeted by animal rights activists.

Fulton County Sheriff Dan Daly said Tuesday that he is drawing up plans to handle any violence that may erupt between the protests and the people who will gather for a live pigeon shoot at Holford's Gun Club April 18-21.

Daly confirmed that he has asked DOC officials for backup. He is not sure how many deputies and DOC police officers will be on hand. "We're just kind of in the planning stated," Daly said. "We don't really know what to expect."

A DOC spokeswoman declined to discuss how many officers the department may provide. "Generally speaking, when we are requested to provide backup, we do," she said.

The DOC issues permits for the shoots.

Organizers of the protest, who contend the shoot is inhumane, say as many as 300 protesters could show up over the three days the shoot will be held. They won't say whether they plan to disrupt the event.

More than 20 protesters were arrested at a pigeon shoot in Pennsylvania last September after they ran in front of the gunners in an attempt to stop it.

Daly said he has been studying news reports of the incident but hasn't sought any advice from Pennsylvania law enforcement officials.