Hinton Fish and Game Association
1957- present
The Hinton Fish and Game Association had it's beginnings in 1957-1958 as a shooting club that used an indoor rifle range in the Athabasca Valley Development Capital Corporation warehouse in Hinton. The range was confined to use of .22-calibre rifles and the shooting was done mostly on weekends. The second manager of the pulp mill, Mr. Harry Collinge, presented the fledgling club with two Remington .22 calibre, which were greatly appreciated. The first president was Robert C Hallam
Some of the early members of the club were Vern Truxler, Vic Worobetz, Ben Meier, Bob Backman, Bill Switzer, Art Dunn, Harvey Cook, Tets Kitaguchi, Dave Kopas, Mike Wisla, and Bill Shepeley.
Projects
The club had a need for an outdoor range where larger calibre firearms could be used. Shortly after the club was formed, Mr. Hallam looked for and found a safe, secure location just off Highway 16, where the range is today. The first lease was signed by Ernest Manning. Joe Rochip Ben Morris and Ernie Muldoon donated heavy equiptment to install the range. In 1985 the club expanded the lease and the gun ranges. Today, the ranges include shooting distances of 100, 200, and 500 yards. As well, Trap, International Trap and Archery ranges have been added, the latter operated by the Yellowhead Arrow Launchers. A 3-D archery trail is also available. All are handicap accessible.
In the early 1960s, the club installed an air compressor at Millers lake over the winter to help prevent winterkill of fish. In 1968 and '69, the club helped put gravel in the winter road bridge over Jarvis Creek to enhance walleye spawning beds. In 1972 the club helped install a weir at Mary Greg Lake to raise the water level to 18 inches. The club created a trout-fishing pond in 1979 south of Highway 16, near Cold Creek, to promote youth fishing. In 1984 the club helped place round bales in Obed Lake for geese nesting.
In 1986, the club assisted a program to improve wildlife habitat by fertilizing areas on Folding Mountian. Billy Dunn, Gerry Wilde and Steve Witiuk from the AFGA were instrumental in this project. From 1987 to '88, the club helped to improve habitat on Summit Lake by planting wild rice. The club helped clean the spawning beds on Emerson Lake in 1989. In the 90,s the Trout pond..upgades in 2006.. Mary Gregg trail in 2008 for quade,s only
Annual Events
Since 1962 the club has held annual competitions for the largest fish and big-game animals harvested during the year. Trophies are presented at an annual dinner. The club holds an annual turkey shoot on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. The club also holds and annual raffle with some of the proceeds going to the programs sponsered by the Foothills Model Forest, including studies on fish, elk and grizzly bear. The last 2 years we have had a Yellowhead Funday Rendezvous free Achery ,Trap , Biggame & 22 Shooting for the public
Club Awards
Since 1975 the club has sponsored the AFGA provincial award for best mountain goat presented at the AFGA Fish and Game Awards dinner.
Special People
Some of the past presidents if the club include: Robert Hallam, 1957-60; Ken Alexander, 1962; Jim Wilson, 1963; Art Dunn, 1967; Vern Truxler, 1968 (and later); Blaine Sornberger, 1977-80; Bill Dunn 1980; Ron Hellum, 1994-2000; John Croot, 2001-05; Eric Rosendahl, 2006-present.
