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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
They're feeling fired up at marsh
Provincial Hunting Day features Blue Bombers
Caileigh Johnston holds a muzzleloader while her sister Mackenzie (left) and friend Zoe Bernardin smile while attending Provincial Hunting Day at Oak Hammock Marsh. (RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store
WITH so many rifles and shotguns around at the celebration for Provincial Hunting Day, maybe it's a good thing Winnipeg Blue Bomber quarterback Buck Pierce had a win under his belt.
Just a day after Pierce led his team to victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, he and teammate Glenn January were signing autographs at the fourth annual event held at Oak Hammock Marsh on Saturday. The event was organized by the Manitoba Wildlife Federation.
"Everything's always nicer after a win," a smiling Pierce said while signing his name for a child.
"It's not as cold, it's not as wet -- we're feeling pretty good."
Both Pierce and January are hunters and they are happy to do their part inspiring the next generation of hunters.
"This reminds me of when I was a kid and just learning about it," Pierce said.
Added January: "The best part about this is it instils in the youth an appreciation of conservation.
"I'm from Houston and our family had a ranch about 45 minutes away and as a kid I spent every weekend out there."
Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., children -- and adults -- were able to try out archery, shoot muzzle-loading rifles and watch retriever and pointer dogs in action.
Caileigh Johnston, 12, of La Salle, flanked by her 10-year-old sister Mackenzie and friend Zoe Bernardin, said she was surprised the muzzleloader didn't have as much recoil as she thought.
"It had no kick," she said.
"But it was really loud. I know because I shot my first snow goose and duck (this year)."
Johnston's proud dad, Ryan, said the event "exposes them to a lot more things than I ever do. I do a lot of waterfowl hunting, but they come here and they see things like archery."
Four-year-old Caleb Forsyth and his six-year-old brother Benjamin were thrilled to see the two Bombers.
"I told them when we were watching TV 'see them, we're going to see those two tomorrow,'" their dad Ian said.
Nearby, seven-year-old Anthony Ermel clutched a wooden pop gun -- which he kept popping after getting it autographed by the Bombers.
"He had to do a colouring contest to get it," said his mother Amanda.
Reid Woods, MWF's president, said the day helps inspire the next generation of hunters.
"It's the kids we want out here," Woods said.
"Our focus is on the family and the kids. We talk about the kids coming out instead of playing TV games.
"You want people out into the natural world and how to understand it."
kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 23, 2012 A3
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