麻豆传媒

CANORA - At the ninth annual River Ridge Fish & Game Gun Show in Canora on the June 10-11 weekend, those who enjoy guns and related activities had plenty to see, with displays by 32 vendors covering 115 tables.

Ernie Gazdewich, River Ridge Fish & Game president, said the weekend went really well, and he was pleased to see vendors from as far away as Camrose, Alta., and Winnipeg for the weekend show.

“We have people come through the doors to look at and possibly buy new things available relating to firearms,” said Gazdewich. “But some come for the show as a social event, maybe catch up with friends, and some just came to enjoy the good food at the concession.”

Gazdewich and the volunteers from River Ridge Fish & Game began setting up for the show early on Friday morning, with most vendors arriving in the afternoon.

“We offer help to vendors to unload and load up, older ones especially appreciate it,” he said. “I learned this from attending other shows, but some shows don’t even do this.”

Chris Linvall made the trip from Medicine Hat, Alta to participate in the show as a first-time vendor. His knife display, which ranges around 150 knives, usually covers two tables and has been built up over approximately 40 years of collecting.

“I’ve been doing shows for about 15 years,” said Linvall. “There’s been a renewed interest in knives in recent years, possibly because of the government gun grab or the survivalist aspect.”

Linvall remembers having his own trap line on the family farm near Prince Albert at the age of 10, which contributed to his lifelong interest in knives.

Paige Scheller of Margo was at the gun show with the family business, DJ Gun Sales, which she runs with her husband Bryce and her father Darren Boen, who serves as their gunsmith. She said they decided to make the trip to Canora after meeting Ernie Gazdewich at a show in Yorkton.

“We do gun repairs,” said Scheller, “but we mainly offer guns and ammunition. We also have knives, gun slings and magazines available.”

Scheller said she developed her interest in guns at an early age, growing up in the Sturgis area and shooting at the Sturgis Gun Range.

“I did lots of hunting growing up,” said Scheller. “I used to work for the government, but then COVID-19 hit, and it was time to move home and do something else. Thankfully, this opportunity came up and we were able to take over the business from the previous owner.

“We’re hoping to expand in the near future, move into a bigger building so we can have more inventory, and also grow the gunsmith side of the business.”

Preeceville Archery Products had a prominent display at the gun show. Joined by employee Michael Owchar of Canora, owner Trisha Kosheluk said they were pleased to make their first appearance at the show to support River Ridge Fish & Game.

“We sell firearms, ammunition, optics and bows,” said Kosheluk. “I enjoy customer relations, meeting people and looking after their needs. Demand has been really good recently, and Prime Minister Trudeau is probably our best salesman. Society pushes back against his demanding and restrictive gun policies as he tries to crack down. In spite of his polices, people in our area enjoy continue to enjoy the outdoors, regardless of crackdowns.”

Robert Wilson of RIW Sporting and Survival Supply at Harris has been a vendor at all nine River Ridge Fish & Game Gun Shows.

“I enjoy this area,” said Wilson. “We camp at Good Spirt Lake, and the show gives me the opportunity to meet people and make contacts in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.”

He does a lot of work for gun owners who bring their guns to him to be worked on, including making semi-inletted and inletted gunstocks.

“I meet a lot of interesting guns,” is how Wilson describes his work. “About a couple of weeks ago, I had extremely rare Marlin lever action guns brought to me, and I didn’t even know they existed. They were made in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

“It’s really interesting cutting wood for guns older than I am.”

The River Ridge Fish & Game Gun Show takes over a year of planning according to Gazdewich.

“I travel the gun show circuit, and promote the show to different vendors,” he said.

The majority of participating vendors indicated they plan to return for next year’s Canora show.

Gazdewich made the importance of volunteer support from River Ridge Fish & Game very clear.

“Without them, we have no show. Aaron Herriges, Brandi Zavislak, and the Town of Canora in general were also very helpful. There were lots of comments about the great food prepared by Sheila Dmitruik and her crew at the concession stand.

“A show like this takes a community effort,” concluded Gazdewich.