The Bulkley Valley Rod and Gun Club is celebrating a century in the region.
It was first established in 1926 primarily as a wildlife and fish conservation and since grown to include sport shooting.
“Around here, it was basically just preserving the fish; preserving the animals to hunt and we’re still doing that. It’s probably at least half of what we do,” said President David Helps.
He added the group lasting as long as it has shows a lot of people in the Bulkley Valley are interested in conservation.
The move to include sport shooting and fishing didn’t start until the mid-70s with an update to its constitution.
Helps added in the last 100 years, the largest impact that’s been felt has been around the federal governments gun bans through the last 10 years.
“We have strived to be relatively apolitical over the years but its got to the point now we have not choice,” he said.
A main point mentioned was the ban on hand gun sales as it led to a drop in memberships.
This was because a restricted possession and acquisition license was needed to buy a hand gun and required the person to be a gun club member.
“If it keeps going the way it’s going, there won’t be any membership here in another 10 years,” said Helps.
He added the ban has also had an impact on sport shooting.
“Sport shooting is practically non-existent here in Smithers other than long-range accuracy shooting with rifles and trap shooting with shotguns.”
With the centennial, the club is incorporating 100 years into the various events it holds including a banquet held earlier this year, and several open houses through the summer.
Information about events can be found on the club’s Facebook page.
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