Families support keeping snowmobile trails open through annual Scoot n’ Shoot
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REXBURG — The Moody Powder Pushers’ weekend involved snowmobiles, slingshots, darts and guns.
The Madison County Moody Powder Pushers, a local snowmobile club designed to create awareness for the sport its members love, held their annual Scoot n’ Shoot on Saturday. The event consisted of a 20-mile family course in Moody Meadows with six stops along the way to participants’ marksmanship skills. The challenges included guns, sling shots, and darts, each targeted towards all ages.
The winner of each age group received a trophy and multiple name-brand products donated by companies throughout the area. Following the event there was an awards ceremony, raffle and silent auction.
The Moody Powder Pushers, with help from lots of companies throughout the region, hold this event every year to raise awareness and money to oppose the efforts of groups that continue to shut down trails to riders.
“There are a bunch of groups that are trying to withhold riders from using the trails. We get closed out of trails every so often that we don’t have access to,” said Kelton Muir, who is on the local group’s board of directors. “We hold the Scoot n’ Shoot, and we donate part of the funds we make off of it to the Idaho Snowmobile Association.”
The Idaho Snowmobile Association then attends court hearings throughout the eastern Idaho area involving trail use and fights to keep the public land open.
Event attendance has increased over the years due to the creative new ideas and preparation being implemented throughout the event. This year at one station, participants shot malted milk balls disguised as deer droppings with a slingshot.
Because of increasing attendance, the Powder Pushers decided to provide more suitable comfort to the participants by adding a portable outhouse at every stop.
“This is all part of increasing efforts to provide our people with the best experience,” said Holly Petersen, one of the group’s social media directors.
Though many of the same families attend the event every year, the group hopes to reach out to more people.
“There are a lot of new faces as well,” Muir said.
He hopes they can continue to see new people support them, as they have been gaining a lot of ground towards the environmental groups. 2019 had 200 participants, and the club hopes to double that next year.
The event isn’t just to raise funds for the association, though — it is a family event designed to bring communities together through fun and competitive challenges. Throughout the day, families and individuals are tested both physically and mentally in an encouraging atmosphere.
This was the event’s 29th year.
“Great job and a fun filled day as always,” said Jeanine Harrop Hansen, a social media director for the Powder Pushers. “Thanks for another blast on the snow.”