WEST POINT — Elite sport shooting is coming to the Golden Triangle this weekend.
Beginning Friday and concluding Sunday, Prairie Wildlife in West Point will host the U.S. Helice Association National Championships with shooters from around the country descending on the Golden Triangle.
“It makes you feel good,” Prairie Wildlife Estate Manager Bennie Atkinson told The Dispatch of hosting the event locally. “It validates what you’re doing.”
Helice developed in England out of box bird pigeon shooting, according to Atkinson. Shooters are positioned facing toward a field in which plastic targets called ZZ birds are launched into the air by oscillating electric motors that send the targets at high speeds. Participants are allowed two shots to hit each respective target and only receive points if the center portion of the ZZ birds, known as a witness cap, is dislodged from the wings within a certain fenced area otherwise called the ring. Each shooter is given 15 birds to shoot and a perfect score is 30.
“It’s kind of like skeet on steroids,” said Stephen Imes, one of the men involved with the development of the Black Prairie helice fields at Prairie Wildlife. Imes is uncle to Dispatch publisher Peter Imes.
This weekend’s championships are the latest stop for shotgun shooters hoping to earn a spot on the U.S. National Helice Team. In order to be selected, shooters must reach a certain score each year at multiple rings at multiple venues. Those that finish in the top three in each of the six age groups across the country then receive spots on the national team.
Among those competing for the coveted selections are 2017 World Helice champion Shea Self, current world and European champion Mimi Wilfong and former national champion Derrick Mien.
“It means a lot to us,” Imes told The Dispatch of bringing in world class competition. “We have a lot of good shooters. We have a lot of national champion shooters and we have a lot of people who have made the United States helice team which goes overseas most years and competes in world championships.”
Beyond the actual competition, this weekend’s national championships are a premier chance for organizers at Prairie Wildlife to build a following for their young business. One of just three helice facilities east of the Mississippi River according to Imes, Prairie Wildlife opened within the past three years and brands itself as a conservation-driven sporting estate in which patrons can partake in hunts, clat shoots, corporate outings and more.
It has also previously been given the prestigious Orvis Wingshooting Lodge endorsement for what Orvis describes as “unparalleled service, respect for natural resources and experienced, professional staff.”
“I’ve been shooting all my life, (but) not competitively,” Imes explained of how helice was brought to West Point. “I shot (helice) about 25 years ago and then I saw it about three years ago, four years ago, and decided to pursue it and build a ring in this area. It’s kind of like that old saying, ‘If you build it, they will come.'”
Fans who wish to attend this weekend’s event will be allowed free admittance. Masks are not required but are suggested, while hand sanitizer stations have been installed on the grounds.
“If you want to come out and watch, just come to Prairie Wildlife and we’ll get you down here if you want to observe,” Imes said.
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 44 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 44 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
READER FAVORITES
Related Photos
David Tribble catches a shell during a practice session at the US National Helice Championship on Thursday at Prairie Wildlife in West Point. Tribble, who's full-time job is in tax software in Atlanta, traveled to Mississippi to shoot in the USHA National Tournament. "I know most of the people here," said Tribble. He'll be shooting for the US FITASC Veterans Team this year. Photo by: Antranik Tavitian/Dispatch Staff
Bennie Atkinson
