From The Connecticut River Valley in Southern Vermont and New Hampshire: Historical Sketches by Lyman S. Hayes, Tuttle Co., Marble City Press, Rutland, VT., 1929, page 225:
"TURKEY-SHOOTS" A POPULAR DIVERSION OF A CENTURY AGO–HOTELS BENEFITED
As the Thanksgiving season approached in early years, the practice of having "turkey shoots," and shooting at a mark for other prizes, was indulged in by the citizens of practically all the villages in this section of New England, and was the source of much fun and entertainment. Only a few of the present older residents remember the thrills that came with the practice, which resulted in there being a much greater proportion of excellent marksmen than at the present time.
Turkeys and other game were set up on benches at a fairly long distance and shot at by contestants until blood was drawn, the bird then becoming the property of the lucky marksman, who had previously paid a varying price per shot, depending upon the length of the range. In a similar way all kinds of property were disposed of, the shooting being at a mark.
The proprietors of hotels were usually those in charge of the shooting, as it would largely benefit their bar, the crowd attending such "shoots" usually being a thirsty one. The early Bellows Falls newspapers abound in frequent advertisements regarding these. Among the landlords of this vicinity most frequently advertising such sports was John Robertson of "Robertson's tavern," which stood where Hotel Windham now does in this village, Peter Evans and John Pierce of Charlestown, John R. Gibson and Amos Hitchcock of Rockingham.
The following advertisement in the Bellows Falls Intelligencer of January 14, 1822, is a sample of many [226] others which varied according to circumstances, and the class of property to be disposed of. These, in those days, took the place of the present practice of "selling by ticket."
"TO SPORTSMEN
"The subscriber, on the 24th inst. at 9 o'clock A. M., will set up a target to be shot at, distance 30 rods, tickets one dollar each, not exceeding 54. The prize will be an OX weighing eleven cwt., well fatted. The marksman who comes the nearest the center of the target to draw the prize. Likewise a large fat cow will be set up if the tickets can be sold.
"Tickets to be had at the bar of said Robertson's hotel.
JOHN ROBERTSON."