The pleasing sound of bullets dinging off steel targets will be abundant when the Vernon Fish and Game Club hosts hundreds of people for a fun day of shooting on National Range Day.
The club, located in Lavington on Bardolph Lake Forest Service Road, saw more than 500 people attend its first Range Day last year, and they’re expecting as many if not more people to attend this year’s event on June 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We want to share our passion for shooting sports, and if people are curious about it and want to try shooting firearms or do archery, this is a safe place to do that,” said Clint Ingham, chairperson of Vernon Range Day.
Anyone aged five and up is welcome to attend the event, which is completely free and includes a free barbecue. No experience is necessary.
People will get the chance to learn how to shoot 22 caliber pistols and rifles, as these firearms are beginner friendly, having low recoil and noise. Smaller rifles are available for kids to use. There will also be the chance for people to try their hand at archery.
“We have a surprising number of children that come out,” Ingham remarked.
Last year’s event produced a bump in the club’s membership, and people have been clamouring for a follow-up event.
“We had a lot of people that were asking if we’re doing it again,” he said.
People coming to the event will get a tutorial on gun safety at the range, learning how to handle firearms safely with one-on-one instruction.
“We’re in a rural area, so there’s a fair number of people that know how to handle firearms safely, but there are a lot of people that either haven’t had the opportunity or have questions about it,” Ingham said.
Eye and ear protection will be provided. No pets or private firearms will be allowed, but the club has plenty of firearms for people to use.
The Fish and Game Club can be found by turning off Highway 6 onto Noble Canyon Road and following the yellow signs to the gun range on Bardolph Lake Forest Service Road.
Other nearby ranges are also holding National Range Day events, including the Armstrong Fish and Game Club, the Lumby Wildlife Association, Oceola Fish and Game Club in Lake Country, and the Joe Rich Sportsman Association in Kelowna.
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