Novice Shooters Embrace Outdoor Skills at Provincial Hunting Day

On September 27, 2023, aspiring shooters participated in various outdoor activities during the annual Provincial Hunting Day event, organized by the Alberta Hunters Education Instructors Association (AHEIA). The gathering took place at the Calgary Firearms Centre & Conservation Education Centre, located near DeWinton. This initiative aimed to introduce novices and youth to the world of shooting sports, archery, and conservation.

Instructors from AHEIA guided attendees with no prior experience through activities such as clay shooting, archery, and even hands-on experiences like tying fishing flies and constructing moose calls. “Ultimately, hunting and the pursuit of any kind of bird or game animal in the outdoors gets people outside,” said Robert Gruszecki, chairman of AHEIA. He emphasized the importance of integrating wildlife and outdoor experiences into people’s value systems.

The establishment of Provincial Hunting Day was initiated at the request of AHEIA in 2007, when then-Minister of Sustainable Resource Development Ted Morton designated the fourth Saturday of September for this purpose. The day serves to enhance awareness of conservation and hunting education across the province.

Among the participants was Heather Tomlinson, who expressed her enthusiasm for exploring various outdoor activities. “I was interested in hunting, fishing, outdoor stuff, and wanting to try different parts to it, like the guns and archery — I really wanted to try that,” she said. Originally from Preston, U.K., Tomlinson, now a permanent resident of Canada, grew up in a family of sport shooters.

Her previous experience with shooting had been less than positive. “The kick surprised me and it was very unpleasant,” she recalled, referring to her first encounter with a 12-gauge shotgun. However, her experience at the AHEIA event was markedly different, thanks to the guidance of instructor Alison Doerkson. “The way Alison described it just all made sense, and I was able to put that into practice,” Tomlinson noted, highlighting the effectiveness of Doerkson’s teaching.

The personalized instruction provided by Doerkson made a significant impact. “The difference here, especially with Alison for the trap shooting, was very helpful. It was woman-to-woman, so that makes a big difference,” Tomlinson added. She appreciated the clear, step-by-step explanations that helped demystify the experience of handling firearms.

Tomlinson is now considering participating in other programs offered by AHEIA, including the Outdoor Women’s Program. This program, held at the Alford Lake facility near Caroline, takes place over five days in August and covers a range of skills including fly fishing, archery, canoeing, and firearms basics.

“I feel women do respond quite well to other women,” said Doerkson, who instructs in the Outdoor Women’s Program. “We hold the guns differently, we have different postures, and I understand that, so I use lots of visuals to describe.” She emphasized the importance of fostering self-esteem and empowerment among female participants, allowing them to engage equally with their male counterparts.

For those interested in learning more about AHEIA’s educational programming, further information is available on their website at aheia.com. The organization’s efforts are instrumental in promoting outdoor activities and fostering a greater appreciation for conservation and wildlife among new generations.