Fog developed over the lowlands bordering the Missouri River early Saturday morning.
The damp, still air muffled the sound of arrows striking targets at the United Sportsmen's Club shortly after the sun came up.
Blam! The sound of a muzzle-loader reverberated through the valley.
Blam! Another puff of smoke leapt out of a barrel.
Soon, the sounds of gunfire came from around the club.
The first competitions for the annual Jefferson City Jaycees Cole County Fair - the 4-H Shooting Sports Matches - began Saturday. The events feature youths competing in archery, air rifles, air pistols, small bore rifles, small bore pistols, shotguns and muzzle- loading.
The horse show, which had been scheduled for Friday night, was postponed because of rain.
About 70 students from eight different counties participated in the competitions, said Jenn Hassler, Cole County 4-H summer staff person (who helps organize the fair).
Generally, the students take about two practice rounds, then begin shooting "scored rounds" at targets. For example, air pistol competitors would take five shots at each of eight targets. Or the archers would participate in 12 scored rounds, each with five arrows.
The students competed in three classes - junior, intermediate or senior - Hassler said.
"So, they're shooting within their age groups," she said. "(Archery competitors) shoot with a release or their fingers. Those are scored separately as well."
With 38 competitors, archery made up the largest competition. Though most of the students competed in multiple events.
Winners were to receive medals.
Throughout Cole County, there are about 210 youths participating in events this year, said Martha Cowherd, the Cole County youth program assistant.
They go are 8-18 years old, and arrived from Cole, Maries, Miller, Randolph, Vernon, Moniteau, Cooper and Callaway counties, Cowherd said.
Students came from afar because they have to compete in county shoots to qualify for the state tournament, which is in early autumn.
"We have three kids here who just got back from competing on the national shooting team," Cowherd said.
One, 17-year-old Toni Haselhorst, will be a senior at Helias High School this year.
We found Toni in the midst of the muzzle-loading competition.
Each competitor had 10 minutes to complete five shots (with a .50-caliber lead ball) at targets from 50 yards away.
Competitors placed gun powder, patch and a muzzle ball in their firearm's barrel. They each then tamped their lead ball down to the patch.
They then walk to the point from which they'll shoot and "cap" (or prime) their guns.
Competitors then take aim and fire.
Toni said that on Saturday, she was focusing on muzzle-loading and 50-foot Rifle competitions.
The first lesson of muzzle-loading, Toni said, is that "You don't want to get your powder, your patch and your ball out of order. That's really bad," she said. "You just want to stay calm during your shot. Even when you take a bad shot, you just don't want to get mad about it."
Toni explained she has to adjust her peep sights as she goes.
"If you're shooting off to the right, like I am today, you need to move it over to the left," she said.
The .22-caliber long-rifle competition, she explained, requires 30 shots. Competitors must take 10 shots each while prone, standing or kneeling.
"It's a lot faster than this, because it doesn't take this long to load," she said.
Her father, John Haselhorst, stood by and watched as Toni competed. When needed, he stepped in to offer advice or help with firearm adjustment.
"She likes to have fun. This is a great time," Haselhorst said. "Shooting is something I've always found relaxing."
Another parent, Allison Rowden, of Vienna, stood about 20 feet behind her son, 10-year-old Jake Rowden, and watched as he participated in the air pistol competition.
"This is his first year doing air pistol, but he also does archery," Rowden said.
She added that it was Jake's second year doing archery, which he also does in school.
She explained the students provide their own air guns, bows and other shooting sports products, but there are some available for them to borrow.
"He loves it," Rowden said. "He really, really enjoys it. It's an individual sport, and yet you also have your team. He likes the team aspect."