On the eve of the black powder deer season, Island marksmen participated in the Martha’s Vineyard Rod & Gun Club Black Powder Shoot Sunday.

In the open sight division, Nicholas Giliberto, 15, of Vineyard Haven bested marksmen with considerably more experience. Nicholas had a high score of 61.

The young Island student hit two eight marks in the standing deer category; an eight and ten mark in the running deer, and shot an eight, reloaded in 68 seconds and shot a ten in the reload portion of the contest.

The contest committee awarded Nick the Bill Nicholson Award, named in memory of club member and muzzle loading enthusiast Bill Nicholson of Oak Bluffs who died this year. Ed Belisle of Edgartown donated the award, a name plaque and a $100 prize in memory of his friend.

Cooper (Coop) Gilkes of Edgartown, winner of last month’s shotgun Top Gun crown at the club, was on target in the scoped division. Mr. Gilkes had a high score of 61.

black powder shoot
Participants prepare for annual
black powder shoot. — M.C. Wallo

Mike Ferry of West Tisbury showed he has what it takes to be a Minuteman. Mr. Ferry had the best shoot-reload time. He hit a five, reloaded in 32 seconds and hit another five in the open sight division.

Nelson Sigelman of Vineyard Haven took the flintlock category when the other competitor in the category withdrew because of technical difficulties.

During the shoot, Tisbury police officer Dan Hanavan won a raffle for a new Austin and Halleck 50-caliber muzzleloader shotgun.