A rancher and his 10 year old son discover a ranch that they would like to make their home. Lucas had lost his wife four years before when his son was only 6, and since then they have been looking for a place to begin anew. As they ride into town to see about purchasing the ranch, they discover that a Turkey Shoot would take place the following day. Lucas enters, thinking that if he won, the $500.00 could help make the first payment on the ranch. But Big Jim Lewis has been running the town now for 5 years, and he doesn't want to see anyone take the $10,000.00 that is to be his if the young sharpshooter, Vernon, wins the match. Big Jim goes through great lengths to see that The Rifleman doesn't win the match by using the only threat that could work - threatening to kill his son.
—Michelle Palmer