BARRHEAD – Canadians are a hardy bunch. A 2016 StatsCan study showed nearly 7 out of 10 Canadians participated in at least one type of outdoor or wilderness activitiy, with 56 per cent engaging in two or more.
One such activity that’s been gaining popularity in recent years, according to Barrhead Fish and Game Association president Joe Prociuk, is bow hunting.
“We have younger archers coming in who are really interested in archery,” said Prociuk.
Bow-hunting differs significantly from rifle hunting, mostly due to the range a hunter is operating at. With a bow and arrow, a hunter needs to be within 25- to 30-metres to be truly confident in their shot placement, which is no easy feat.
“These animals have been around for a long time, so you really have to know what you’re doing to get close enough to get a useable shot,” said Prociuk. “You don’t have to be as cautious when you’re approaching the animals with a rifle. With archery, you need to be up close and personal.”
The association in Barrhead maintains a gun range, and after the surge of interest in archery, added two ranges for men and women to practice their skills in.
“We’ve got a 100-metre range with rolling targets, and we’ve got a 3D trail for about a quarter mile, which goes around in and around the bush and up the hill with about 20 full-sized animal targets,” added a proud Prociuk.
The hard work is paying off, at least for the young up-and-comers in the community. Last year, the club recognized two young men who had both displayed dedication and patience beyond what many hunters do.
“One guy really persevered, he followed the trail, he learned the habits of the animal, and it took him most of the hunting season before he was able to get his shot,” said Prociuk. “The other guy was coming home from school and getting into his tree stand, and he stayed there until the right animal came by.”
Education for young hunters has been a priority for the club, which includes sending youth to the hunter education camp at Narrow Lake in Athabasca County each summer. There, the kids learn a variety of important skills, including ethical hunting and fishing, storage and handling of firearms, outdoor safety, and a range of survival skills, both on land and in the water.
“We’re looking at it like we’re taking care of future generations. We pay for the first year of the program, the parents pay for the second year, and when the kids are done, they have their hunter training under their belt,” said Prociuk.
The investments in the next generation are paying off for the club, with Prociuk reporting plenty of families coming out to the range together, whether they’re sighting in rifles for an upcoming season or passing along the basics.
“It’s not just a man’s sport anymore It’s primarily male, but it’s nice to see the ladies and the kids coming in,” said Prociuk.
“In this whole northern area, it’s something a lot of people grew up with, and it’s still going strong.”
