The South Saskatchewan Wildlife Association (SSWA) is inviting anyone with an interest in the outdoors or firearms to attend an open house to learn more about the organization and its activities.
The second annual event takes place at the Wakamow Valley Sportsman Centre on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Upstairs will be displays on the SSWA, fishing, and hunting, along with information on how to obtain a firearms licence and a Saskatchewan hunter education certification, which is required for anyone who wants to hunt in the province.
The SSWA has an indoor firearms range downstairs, where under the supervision of a trained instructor, visitors will be able to try shooting several firearms. These include .22-calibre pistols and rifles, a .38-calibre special revolver, and 9-mm semi-automatic pistols.
There will also be free coffee and food available.
If people do want to shoot, the ammunition is free, but they must purchase an SSWA membership for $20, explained group spokesman Harry Horejda. This will cover liability issues since the organization will be responsible for anything that happens. Visitors can then take home their targets.
This is the second time the South Saskatchewan Wildlife Association has held an open house, he continued. There were about 40 people who attended last year; later this year there could be another open house strictly for female shooters.
The February open house is for anyone — men and women of all ages — who is interested in shooting and wants to do it in a supervised environment.
“The shooting sports are growing very quickly in Canada. They are becoming very popular,” said Horejda, who happens to be a course instructor. “We have a lot of people in Moose Jaw — males and females — (who) are getting involved in the shooting sports.
“I think they’re interested in it. It’s a challenge to do so. It’s a skill that’s very enjoyable when you’re successful doing.”
Many people in Moose Jaw don’t know there is even an indoor pistol-shooting range, said Horejda. People who have their restricted PALs and are certified by the federal government can use their handguns at an approved pistol range. An approved range is the only legal place in Canada to use licensed firearms.
Canadian firearms owners are vetted daily on their suitability to hold a firearm, he continued. The police use a system to monitor every licensed firearms owner every day to ensure they haven’t been convicted of a crime. This is simply the reality licensed firearms owners face. It’s not even a phenomenon; this has been in place since 1990.
Visit www.southsaskwildlifeassociation.com for more information.
