The Moose Jaw Trap and Skeet club has seen almost as many ups and downs as the clay pigeon targets used by members.
“It’s been here forever,” said member John Johnson at the club exhibit during the annual Moose Jaw Gun Show.
“In the past membership has gone down to almost zero. Now it’s on the increase. People are doing more target shooting and stuff like that.
“Trespassing laws and more difficulty in getting out in the country” may also account for the higher level of interest. “You need to be asking for permission. Now there’s a place where you can go target shooting.”
The club is shotguns only.
“You can just come and shoot. You don't have to have a gun. If anybody wants to give it a try the club is happy to have them and if they need instruction, they’ll get instruction.”
Two types of shooting are involved.
In trap shooting the shooter fires from five different positions at clay pigeons flying straight out. Skeet shooting involves firing at two clay pigeons coming across from the left and right.
Located just east of Thatcher Drive East, the club is open Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons from spring until fall as long as the snow is gone. Opening may be in April.
The club operates a Facebook page.
The annual gun show is one of two fundraisers for the South Saskatchewan Wildlife Association (SSWA), said director Tim Yates.
This year’s version had 170 tables and 46 exhibitors for the two-day show selling guns, accessories, knives, wildlife art, outdoor clothing, raffle tickets, even baking.
Sask. Environment’s wildlife trailer was set up with conservation officers discussing hunting laws, access to private property and the Turn In Poachers hotline.
Yates said the SSWA does lots of things in the community.
“We sponsor a youth fishing derby every year free for kids out at Buffalo Pound Park, we release pheasants, we run a biathlon club for kids, we run a target shooting program for kids.”
The SSWA operates an indoor shooting gun range and handgun club at its offices in the basement of the Sportsman’s Centre.
The shooting range is used for firearm safety education programs.
The SSWA has a website and a Facebook page.
Ron Walter can be reached at [email protected]
