HARNETT COUNTY, N.C. — Harnett County neighbors are upset about a decades-old tradition -- the Friday night turkey shoot. It has taken place for more than 50 years, but nearby residents say the activity is creating too much noise late at night.

Betty Lewis has a turkey shoot Friday and Saturday nights at her store on Highway 401, south of Fuquay-Varina. The goal is to shoot at a target with the person coming the closest, getting a ham, turkey or bacon.

Lewis, who has a rare form of cancer in her eye, said last Friday's turkey shoot was a fund-raiser for both her and a youth softball team in Fuquay-Varina.

"It's a community gathering. It's a friendship with all of us," she said.

Turkey shoot organizers said Harnett County Sheriff Larry Knott told them that on Fridays and Saturdays, the county's noise ordinance does not start until 11 p.m.

However, Kay Matthews said she found a county noise ordinanace that states the noise should stop at 10 p.m.

"It's just about terrifying at times. It's really obnoxious," she said.

Organizers said the shoots will only last a few more weeks. They say it is a way for people to enjoy firearms in a controlled environment.