Nation IN BRIEF : PENNSYLVANIA : Pigeon Shoot Goes On Despite Plea to Halt It

Opponents of the annual Labor Day pigeon shoot in Hegins, Pa., took a new direction in efforts to halt the event, which they deride as a slaughter of innocent creatures. The effort came too late. An anonymous donor had offered $70,000 plus the cost of the pigeons if the town would cancel this year’s spectacle. But the shoot, aimed at raising $50,000 for the town park and local activities, went on as scheduled because the offer was tardy. About 300 of the town’s 900 residents already had spent countless hours setting up shooting ranges, ordering food and cleaning Hegins Park. A deal for next year might be possible. “If they want to talk to us (today), we would be willing to negotiate for 1995,” said Bob Tobash, Labor Day Committee chairman.