Despite a very muddy road from Alexis Creek up to the Chilcotin Rod and Gun Club Range, a small village of travel trailers assembled for the 40th Annual Forest Service Alexis Creek Trap Shoot, held Saturday, May 28.
The event was facilitated by Cariboo-Chilcotin Forest District volunteers, and organized by Alexis Creek based forester Brian Rosengren; Alexis Creek serving now as a district field office. Open to the public, the trap shoot involved local residents, and visitors from as far away as Smithers.
On Friday, district and fire suppression staff based in Alexis Creek assembled three large canvas tents on the range and a sturdy concrete lavatory. The tents became an essential feature when, late in the afternoon, as the awards presentation began, the place was drenched by a thunderstorm downpour and shaken by overhead lighting.
Barry Jenkins served as range master for the skeet and trap shooting, and Mike Carlson was range master for the 22 caliber rifle target shooting. Sixty participants registered for the skeet and trap shooting in 12 teams of five. Robert Haley supervised a pellet gun shooting range for child and youth members of the Chilcotin 4-H Club, the association whose volunteers barbecued lunch for trap-shoot participants.
The 100 Mile Longshots were the top skeet and trap shooters. Awarded the Jack Lynn Memorial Trophy were Dan Dobson, Jim McLean, Ray Ostby, George Ostoforoff, and Don Tucker. Adam Veley was awarded the male Top Gun Trophy, and Jenna Schmid the female Top Gun Trophy. George Ostoforoff was awarded the Kevin Frittenburg Memorial Trophy for being the last shooter standing in the first Annie Oakley trap shoot line, and Jordan Grier was awarded $47.50 for achieving the same status in the second Annie Oakley shoot.
The Ladies’ 22 Rifle Shoot top gunners were, first to third, Gina Alexander, Patty Menning, and Sami Carlson. The Children’s 22 Rifle Shoot top gunners were, respectively, Nicole Dutoit, Blake Haley, and Jack Teppema.
As the lowest scoring team, the Menning Misfits were awarded the Old Shotgun; Even and Lindsay Eidse, Jenny Menning, and Mike and Patty Murphy. For having the lowest individual score, Lindsay Eidse was awarded the 176th Fastest Gun Trophy.