Groups of hunters ranging from husband and wife to father and son teams flocked to one Dawson County mountain home to take part in a local charity's new fundraiser.

Reading Education Association of Dawson County's inaugural pheasant shoot was held on Saturday at Roger Bryant's property on Afton Road in Marble Hill.

"What a super glorious day Saturday was for the pheasant shoot. It was a fantastic event," said Sandy Lipkowitz, R.E.A.D. director. "There were at least 10 young boys with their dads shooting and they were having the time of their lives. It was so wonderful seeing them share this special time with each other."

The shoot, which took place on what Lipkowitz described as an idyllic property "situated where two small rivers come together," included hunting, divided game retrieved by dogs and even cleaning of the game. Several prizes were also raffled off, as well as silent actions.

Sponsors made the event possible, according to Lipkowitz, by purchasing one of 26 letters for the ABC sponsorship.

"You would not believe how many of the participants asked us to do this again and said they would participate again," Lipkowitz said. "It was a huge success."

The proceeds of the shoot go toward helping R.E.A.D., a nonprofit advocacy group for family literacy services, promote literacy to children, adults and any age in between in Dawson County.

"Thank all of you for making this one of the most successful events R.E.A.D. has hosted," Lipkowitz said.