Safety first, fun second at Quesnel Rod and Gun Club Winter Brutality Competition

Shawn Leaf walks off the range with Thomas Simpson after having completed a stage in the 2Gun Winter Brutality Competition. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer photo)Shawn Leaf walks off the range with Thomas Simpson after having completed a stage in the 2Gun Winter Brutality Competition. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer photo)
Jordan Zimmerman takes aim in the 2Gun Winter Brutality Competition. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer photo)Jordan Zimmerman takes aim in the 2Gun Winter Brutality Competition. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer photo)
Shawn Leaf from Prince George was among the shooters at QRGC’s 2Gun Winter Brutality Competition. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer photo)Shawn Leaf from Prince George was among the shooters at QRGC’s 2Gun Winter Brutality Competition. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer photo)
QRGC director Thomas Simpson went over safety rules with Black Press Media attending the 2Gun Winter Brutality Competition on Sunday, March 6. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer photo)QRGC director Thomas Simpson went over safety rules with Black Press Media attending the 2Gun Winter Brutality Competition on Sunday, March 6. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer photo)
Jordan Zimmerman of Prince George briefly pauses before he finishes climbing a wooden wall in the 2Gun Winter Brutality Competition at QGRC. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer photo)Jordan Zimmerman of Prince George briefly pauses before he finishes climbing a wooden wall in the 2Gun Winter Brutality Competition at QGRC. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer photo)
2Gun Winter Brutality competitor David Marshall climbs down a snow-covered trail. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer photo)2Gun Winter Brutality competitor David Marshall climbs down a snow-covered trail. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer photo)
Jurgen Brandmeier of Nanaimo was impressed with the QRGC and its 2Gun Winter Brutality Competition.(Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer photo)Jurgen Brandmeier of Nanaimo was impressed with the QRGC and its 2Gun Winter Brutality Competition.(Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer photo)
David Marshall of Quesnel was shooting this past weekend at the QGRC’s latest event. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer photo)David Marshall of Quesnel was shooting this past weekend at the QGRC’s latest event. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer photo)
QRGC director Thomas Simpson said the shoot went well with all participants and observers having an incredible time. “Most importantly, safety was maintained throughout,” he said. “Turnout was good, but we hope to increase participation as we become better known, and our range facilities continue to improve with the building of a 730M and 75m range and other improvements.” (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer photo)QRGC director Thomas Simpson said the shoot went well with all participants and observers having an incredible time. “Most importantly, safety was maintained throughout,” he said. “Turnout was good, but we hope to increase participation as we become better known, and our range facilities continue to improve with the building of a 730M and 75m range and other improvements.” (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer photo)
Sunday’s competition had five shooters in attendance and was conducted at a slower pace than Saturday, in which there were 21 shooters and supporters. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer photo)Sunday’s competition had five shooters in attendance and was conducted at a slower pace than Saturday, in which there were 21 shooters and supporters. (Rebecca Dyok photo — Quesnel Cariboo Observer photo)

The range was hot at the Quesnel Rod and Gun Club (QRGC), when they hosted a 2Gun Winter Brutality Competition and Night Shoot with participants from across the province on Saturday, March 5, and Sunday, March 6.

Safety was of the utmost importance at the event, with detailed instructions given to anyone who arrived, with ear and eye protection required on the range at all times. Shooters were tested technically, physically and mentally amid snow and ice in six to seven stages.

Read More: Quesnel Rod and Gun Club hosting winter brutality challenge

Before the first shooter took to the range and started firing at metal targets in a timed stage late Sunday morning in which they also ran up a snow-covered trail and scaled a wooden wall, Simpson loudly declared the cold range is now “hot.”

Making what he described as a “worthwhile” trip from Nanaimo was Jurgen Brandmeier.

“The way it’s set up and the safety procedures that are in place – it’s a fun, safe, enjoyable activity, and it challenged me,” he said.

“I never tried to scale an eight-foot wall, and at 55 that’s not the easiest thing to learn.”

For many shooters such as Brandmeier it was their first time at the club located just to the west of Quesnel.

Owner of Prince George gun shop KG Armoury, Nic Kidd, was eager to get out and put in some additional practice.

“It’s awesome,” Kidd said, remarking he would definitely return to future QRGC events.

QRGC director Thomas Simpson said the club enjoys hosting and conducting a wide variety of shooting sports accessible to all people of all abilities.

“This event challenged people to shoot in a very different way from many other shooting disciplines and made for a very exciting event that let us use our incredible range to its full capability,” Simpson said.

A 2 Gun fun shoot is held at the QRGC on the first Saturday of every month. Those interested can email quesnelmultigun@gmail.com.

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: rebecca.dyok@quesnelobserver.com



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