A time-honored European tradition comes to Dawsonville Dec. 12 with the Inaugural Dawson County European Pheasant Shoot at the Whitmire Farm on Goldmine Road.

Proceeds from the shoot will benefit the Dawson County Senior Center, which is in dire need of an elevator, according to center director Margie Weaver.

Several county employees organized the shoot, which is open to the first 40 participants.

“I think it’s wonderful they chose to help us out this year, because we have needed an elevator for a long time,” Weaver said.

Weaver currently drives seniors who can not walk down the stairs around the building to the basement so they can participate in activities like art, bridge and exercises.

“Not having an elevator limits the seniors who can participate,” she said.

The $275 per shooter entry fee includes breakfast, barbecue lunch and 250 birds released, retrieved, cleaned and divided equally.

The shoot will feature 20 shooting stations occupied by two shooters.

Pheasants will be released two at a time for any shooter who has a shot.

Shooters will then rotate stations after 40 birds are released to assure equal opportunities for all.

Handlers with trained pick up dogs will be on hand to retrieve downed birds, said David McKee, who helped organize the shoot.

The shoot begins at noon, with the field open from 10-11 a.m. for hand thrown skeet.

Corporate and shooting station sponsors are available.

For more information or to reserve a space, call (706) 344-3501.