The South Saskatchewan Wildlife Association's annual gun show is set to take place March 4 and 5 in the Moose Jaw Exhibition Company’s Convention Centre at 250 Thatcher Drive, bringing together hunters, sportsmen, farmers, ranchers, and enthusiasts from across the region.
The two-day event will feature vendors from Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba, displaying a wide variety of firearms, ammunition, hunting accessories, and other outdoor gear. Visitors can expect to find everything from collectible, antique firearms to the latest hunting rifles and shotguns, along with ammunition, scopes, reloading equipment, and a wide range of other hobby displays such as baked goods, jewellery, knives, and more.
The event is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 4, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 5.
Admission is $5 per person except for children under 12, who get in free.
According to Don Park, president of the South Saskatchewan Wildlife Association (SSWA) and one of the gun show’s organizers, the trade show is about more than just firearms and attracts a substantial variety of people.
“It’ll be a high percentage of firearms enthusiasts and hunters, but lots of farm people come in, too, just for interest's sake and the social aspect of it,” Park explained. “And there are always lots of people who have never been around firearms before, maybe this is their first time and they come in for the interest and the novelty.”
The South Saskatchewan Wildlife Association's annual gun show is open to the public and welcomes people of all ages. Whether you're an experienced firearms owner, just starting out, or simply curious, there's something for everyone.
“We’ve got (a booth from) the Southern Independent Riders, which is a motorcycle club from Assiniboia, and they raffle off a Harley-Davidson every year,” Park said. “We’ve also got the Assiniboia gun club, and the Assiniboia Wildlife Federation has a table. We promote the industry as a whole.
“There’s a lady from north of Swift Current who has pies and bread and all kinds of squares and goodies. We also have a concession open for breakfast and lunch and coffee and treats throughout the day.”
Non-firearm vendors also include from-scratch knifemakers, leatherworkers selling everything from saddles to belts, and even a few vendors selling cosmetic products.
The event is a chance for people to learn more about gun safety, hunting regulations, and wildlife conservation. The SSWA will have a booth to educate people about owning and shooting firearms. Tickets for the SSWA’s popular gun raffle (it's a Tikka T3 Stainless in 6.5 Creedmoor this year) will be sold at the booth, and Park will be there to answer any questions, including information on the organization’s gun range — currently Moose Jaw’s only indoor range — and how to become a member.
“We take gun safety very seriously,” Park said. “Every firearm that comes in has to go through our checkpoint at the front door, and they check it for safety, then the firearms are flagged to show that they have been checked.
“Every firearm leaving the gun show also has to pass through that checkpoint to ensure that it hasn’t been stolen, that they have a proper bill of sale, and that it is still safe. We also have a table with the newly formed Saskatchewan Firearms Program, so a gentleman from that office will be set up for educational purposes.”
There are still a few tables free at the SSWA Gun Show. They are $40 each. Any vendors interested in the 2024 event can also sign up for the mailing list for that show.
For more information, visit the SSWA website at southsaskwildlifeassociation.com, or contact the SSWA at 306-692-2775 or southsaskwildlife@gmail.com.
