Despite occasional rain showers and a pattern of rainy weather, the 42nd Annual BC Forest Service Alexis Creek Trap Shoot drew 71 enthusiastic participants who ascended the slippery road to Alexis Creek’s Chilcotin Rod and Gun Club Range on Saturday, May 25. Competing with traditional teams such as the Horsefly Hotshots and the 100 Mile Long Shots, were old teams with descriptive new names like the Central Interior Team For Shooting Clay Targets With Shotguns, and associated with the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations’ (FLNRO) Wildfire Protection Branch, were new teams with edgy names — the Alexis Creeps, Beasts From The East, and Randy and His Two-Bit Hussies.
Brian Rosengren, Alexis Creek based forester with FLNRO’s Cariboo-Chilcotin District, organized the event once again, assisted by dedicated volunteers. District soil scientist Bill Chapman deserves special mention for his mechanical and electrical skill in restoring the automated trap thrower to full functionality. Alexis Creek’s firefighting Ravens assembled and dissembled the three large ranger tents. Adam Veley, FLNRO Cariboo Region technician, and Mike Carlson served as range masters; Adam for the shotgun events, and Mike for the 22 caliber rifle shooting. District Manager Mike Pedersen, at the helm since 2005, ensured the various shooting events ran smoothly during the day, and served as master of ceremonies at the closing trophy presentations.
The Top Male Gun Trophy was awarded jointly to Gord Wall of Quesnel and Hanceville rancher Jordan Grier, and the Top Female Gun Trophy went to Jenna Schmid of Williams Lake. The Quesnel Quality were the top scoring team; receiving the Jack Lynn Memorial Trophy were team members Andreas Street, Terry Street, Ted Tracer, Adam Veley, and Gord Wall. Adam Veley was also the last man standing in the First Annie Oakley line-shooting event, winning the Kevin Frittenburg Memorial Trophy. Roman Chapman won the Second Annie Oakley event.
Winning the Women’s 22 Caliber Rifle Shooting trophies were, first to third, Michelle Beaudry, Lindsay Menning, and Danika Boulette. Winning the Youth 22 Caliber Rifle Shooting trophies were, first to third, Andres Street, Seamus Murphy, and Kim Quilt.
Distinguishing themselves as the lowest scoring team were the One Call Shot who received the Busted Rifle Award; Vince Austin, Amanda DiCastri, Jeneen Henderson, Trisha James, and John McCraig. Although Sarah Anderton received the Lowest Individual Score Trophy, she and the other three women members of Randy’s wayward team displayed some memorable backwoods fashion sensibility with their blended skirts and pants attire.