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INUVIK - Even though he said he can't really see his darts, 88-year-old Otto Binder still loves the game. If he can help it he never misses Wednesday evening league play at the Royal Canadian Legion.

"I've been playing darts for about 30 years, I think. I don't see my darts but I still play, " said the father of eight, who is the oldest league member. "You meet friends that way and it keeps you busy."

Otto Binder, 88, poses with his darts at his home on Wednesday morning. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

Not only that, but it also keeps him away from the booze.

"When you're not sitting around you don't drink so much," he said. "It keeps you moving."

A man of many stories, Binder happens to be one of the region's original reindeer herders and an RCMP officer of 20 years.

"There was no telephones then, no nothing. You expected us when you saw us," he said with a laugh.

Though his eyesight isn't getting better, he's not one to complain about old age.

"Right now I'm doing what a lot of old people do - sit around and enjoy the weather."

Plus he enjoys cribbage and still plays competitively. And he gets out on the land as much as he can.

With league play officially over last week, the spirited senior is contemplating another return next season, though he said it might not be a triumphant one.

"I might try again next fall when they start in September, just to see how it goes. If I don't do so well then I guess I say time to hang up my darts."

Michael Carruthers, league president, said if that were to happen the group would miss one of its biggest and jubilant characters, even if members have to go through the trouble of telling him where to shoot.

"Every time I see him he says 'how's it going, big boy,'" said Carruthers, with a chuckle.

"Every dart night he comes down and plays on Wednesday night. He adds a lot of spirit to the place. I know everybody truly appreciates him."