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Bighorn Archery Club's annual indoor archery shoot well attended

The Bighorn Archery Club's annual Indoor 3D shoot attracted 66 archers from across B.C. this past weekend. Held at the Stan Halcro Agriplex from Oct.

The Bighorn Archery Club's annual Indoor 3D shoot attracted 66 archers from across B.C. this past weekend. 

Held at the Stan Halcro Agriplex from Oct. 5 to 6 the event featured dozens of animal targets and terrain pieces set up by volunteers throughout the agriplex. Club president Kelly Sinoski remarked the shoot exceeded the club's expectations in turnout. She noted 14 of the 66 attendees came from the Clinton Minor Sports Association and they were happy to have them. 

"We are hoping we will see more interest in the club and more participation because it's a great sport. It's a good family sport, it's affordable and you can do it all year and individually too," Sinoski said. "You can bring your whole family out or just practice on your own."

Sinoski said she was happy to see new archers from the community attend the shoot, noting they had six new members sign up during the shoot. One of these new local archers was Reichert Sanford who attended with his cousin and friend Mason Pincott. 

Sanford said he and Pincott have gotten into bow hunting over the last year and have come to enjoy practising their marksmanship on targets in their backyard. When they saw the shoot advertised on Facebook on Friday the two decided, on impulse, to go. He noted this was his first time attending such a shoot.

"We did a couple of rounds and shot pretty good. I surprised myself a little bit," Sanford remarked. "I shot 137, that was my best score (Saturday)." 

The attendance of people like Sanford Sinoski attributes to the club being more proactive in promoting the shoot this year. In addition to their regular advertising efforts they also attended several community events, such as this year's South Cariboo Garlic Festival, to get the club's name out there. 

"I think a lot of people didn't realize we existed, so it was nice to get our presence out there," Sinoski remarked. "We are really trying hard to grow the club because we think it is a great sport and if people know more about it, they'll come out and try it out."

This year marked club member Russel Murphy's second time attending the shoot, with his son Connor and daughter Ember in tow. Murphy said he and his family joined the club shortly after moving to 100 Mile House from Alberta a year and a half ago. 

"I've been shooting bow for hunting for about five years and now my son is getting into it and my wife as well. It's been a good family activity so far," Murphy remarked. "This club is great. I was surprised there was such a high-quality 3D tournament for a small town, so we were pretty excited when we saw it." 

Attending the shoot is something Murphy plans to do with his children every year going forward. He's hopeful that his daughter Ember will be able to join him and Connor in taking part in the shoot next year. 

When asked what he enjoys about archery, Sanford remarked he enjoys the challenge of hitting the target. He noted bow hunting is a lot more challenging than hunting with a rifle as you need to get closer to your prey to line up a shot. Sanford said you have to be both patient and consistent to succeed. 

"You can shoot a lot easier and further with a gun, but sneaking up on a deer or something like that you have to be a lot more quiet and focused," Sanford explained, adding he would love to come back to the indoor shoot again next year and is thinking of joining the club. 

"It was just an awesome time."

The club always welcomes new members to join the club, Sinoski noting they will be conducting practices starting on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at the agriplex from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The first two practices are free for new members with practices running till the end of May, weather permitting.  

Murphy encourages anyone looking for a fun family activity to consider giving archery a try.

"Archery is easy to get into to start so long as you have the room and you can join the club if you don't because they have a good setup in the wintertime," Murphy said. "There are some people with common interests who can teach you along the way if you're just starting out." 

The results for the shoot are as follows: 

Open Compound Adult Male

1. Ryan Brink

2. Jamie Fenton

3. Eric Brundage

Open Compound Adult Female

1. Laura Adrian

Open Compound Cub Male

1. Bennett Jacobsen

Barebow Male Masters

1. Marlon Dalpre 

Recurve Masters Male 

1. James Benson

2. Dale deBruyn

3. John Gallant

Recurve Masters Female

1. Rita Winkler

2. Angie deBruyn

Recurve Adult Male

1. Brian McGlashan

2. Chris Keam

3. Jeremy Painter

Recurve Adult Female

1. Melanie McComber-Benson

2. Kelly Sinoski

3. Heather Schellenberg

Recurve Youth Male

1. Ryker Trill

Recurve Youth Female

1. Miranda Sanford

Recurve Junior Male

1. Izack Cranton

Recurve Cub Male

1. Aiden Zonruiter 

2. Cypress Vitkay

3. Bennett Jacobsen 

Recurve Cub Female

1. Azaree Cranton

Unlimited Compound Masters Female

1. Arlene Dalpre

Unlimited Compound Adult Male

1. Matt Watts

2. Russell Murphy

3. Reichart Sanford 

Unlimited Compound Adult Female 

1. Angie Vincenzi

Unlimited Compound Youth Female

1. Annabelle Owen

Unlimited Compound Cub Male

1. Connor Murphy 

Longbow Masters Male

1. Allen Pickering 

2. Ed Oliver 

Longbow Masters  Female

1. Sandra Pickering 

Longbow Adult Male 

1. Jeff Betke

2. Chris Foster

Longbow Adult Female

1. Rebecca Zonruiter 

Primitive Masters Adult Male

1. Ted Swift 

Primitive Masters Adult Female

1. Sarah Batalha

Primitive Adult Male

1. Troy Shoemaker



Patrick Davies

About the Author: Patrick Davies

An avid lover of theatre, media, and the arts in all its forms, I've enjoyed building my professional reputation in 100 Mile House.
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