For the first time since 2019, the River Ridge Fish & Game Gun Show was held in Canora on June 11 and 12 at the Sylvia Fedoruk Centre.
Kathy Thomas, River Ridge Fish & Game President, said many visitors indicated they had been “waiting anxiously for a gun show.
“It really feels good to be doing this again,” continued Thomas. “Of course, we couldn’t do any of this without our dedicated volunteers. We have vendors here from as far away as Rabbit Lake, which is near North Battleford. Unfortunately, some were planning to come from southwestern Saskatchewan, but decided not to because of the high fuel prices.”
Thomas said the show is geared toward the outdoor enthusiast, and attracts a variety of visitors.
“Some come here with a definite purchase in mind, while others just like to walk around.”
Ernie Gazdewich was one of the show organizers, and is also the owner of Ernesto’s Guns & Such of Canora, where they buy, sell, trade or consign guns, reloading equipment, brass, etc.
“The show is almost full, with 33 vendors and about 105 tables,” said Gazdewich. “We would have had more without the cancellations due to high gas prices, and a few couldn’t come due to illness. But it sure is nice to be here again after the pandemic interruption.”
One of the more popular vendors was Jaden Rowan of Fenwood (near Melville) with his business, Bulletproof Taxidermy. He has been in business since 2016 and is a repeat visitor to the Canora Gun Show.
“It’s well organized and definitely worth the trip,” said Rowan. “I really enjoy my work, everything from tanning to finishing. It’s fun to see the finished result, making the animal look life-like.”
He prefers to stay away from fish or birds, concentrating mainly on: badgers, deer, raccoons, bears, lynx and bison.
“Rugs are usually the most time consuming,” Rowan explained. “The bear rug I have here at the show took about 30 hours. Deer are usually the quickest, right around 10 hours or so.”
Dave Crook was at the show with his Crook’s Carvings display. His carvings range from antlers to wood to gunstocks.
“I enjoy the work. It’s relaxing and the hours go by quick,” shared Crook. “A small piece could be done in a day, but a big one such as a large set of antlers might keep me busy for three or four weeks. The creativity side is fun. Sometimes I start with one thing in mind, but it might turn into something completely different by the time it’s done.”
Crook believes much of the popularity of his work is because it’s unique.
“I usually sell about two or three pieces per month into the United States,” he said. “Even though I couldn’t attend shows during COVID-19, I still made quite a few online sales.”
Throughout the weekend there was consistent traffic at the R/W Sporting and Survival Supply display, owned by Robert Wilson of Harris, near Rosetown. Harris offers semi-inletted stock blanks, checkering and inletting tools, and gunstock accessories.
Harris said he likes to attend the Canora show for the opportunity to stay at the nearby Good Spirit Provincial Park, but it’s also a good chance to connect with customers.
“I enjoy getting old guns back in working order, including custom machining of gunstocks,” said Harris. “My stocks are all oversized, so they can be adapted to meet different needs. ATV’s are good for my business, since hunters like to carry their guns on them and it wrecks the stocks.”
Floyd Hendrickson of the Saskatchewan Trappers Association was at the show to educate visitors about furs and what is legal to trap in Saskatchewan. His display included an eye-catching variety of fur hats made by Gail Minhinnick of Invermay.
“The hats include beaver, coyote, skunk, mink and raccoon fur,” explained Hendrickson. “I also teach hunter safety and am the provincial trapping instructor co-ordinator. I like to get people excited about getting outside and enjoying the outdoors.”
He said his most common question at shows like this one is, “’How do you get rid of skunk smell?’ I tell them, ‘Peroxide, baking soda and dish soap is all you need.’”
All the money raised at the Gun Show goes to the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation Habitat Trust.
