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INUVIK
The Inuvik Youth Centre and the Top of the World Sportsmen teamed up again on Feb. 23 to offer a unique sporting event.

Lane Voudrach was the most promising participant at a target-shooting day Feb. 23 at the Inuvik Youth Centre. - T. Shawn Giilck/NNSL photos

The community at large, and youth in particular, were invited to attend an afternoon of air-rifle target shooting. The two groups had previously collaborated on a very well-received archery day about two weeks ago.

While the turnout was sparse for the air gun demonstrations, it was quickly obvious the groups had stumbled across some high-end talent. That was good news for the club, which was also on a recruiting mission to send participants to the territorial target shooting championships in Yellowknife in April.

Lane Voudrach, 10, quickly showed a natural talent for shooting that startled both sportsmen club president Rick Lindsay and club member Chris Garven. Voudrach scored 86 out of 100 on one of his early attempts, with an air rifle not designed for target shooting.

It was his first time shooting an air rifle, he said, but he wasn't inexperienced with firearms.

Lindsay said that actually was part of the challenge in encouraging Inuvik people to participated in something like target shooting.

"We have to get people convinced that you don't have to kill something to have a good time," he said, referring to the strong hunting tradition in the town and Mackenzie Delta region.

"I also like video games with shooting," Voudrach said.

Garven said the demonstration started off simply as an introduction to air guns and the shooting sports, but quickly morphed into a search for participants to send to the territorial competition in Yellowknife.

The club has room to send four shooters in all, two youths and two adults.

"The experience of being in a competition will be very good," he said. "We basically have eight weeks to train them and bring them up to snuff."

"One of the youth here is a very good shot, basically a natural," Garven added, referring to Lane. "Another is pretty good, and just needs practice."

That was Dylan Charlton, 13, who is a more experience air gun shooter.

"I've done it before, and I'd like to keep practising," he said. "

The youngest participant was Hunter Davies. Lindsay worked diligently and carefully with the four-year-old, who also showed some natural aptitude.

"One of the main things we're interested in is introducing the kids to safety around firearms," Lindsay said.

The club and the youth centre are planning on holding more such co-operative events in the near future.

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