Junior Rangers prepare for nationals

Three Junior Canadian Ranger (JCR) patrols competed in the marksmanship competition in
Inuvik Saturday, Feb. 24 to represent the Northwest Territories at the national marksmanship
competition that will take place later this year.

JCR patrols from Aklavik, Fort Good Hope, and Inuvik participated in the competition. Patrols
from Paulatuk, Ulukhaktok, Sachs Harbour, Fort McPherson and Tuktoyaktuk were unable to
attend because of weather conditions.
Captain Wahid Johnson, a JCR officer, said the JCR patrols that were weathered out will have
the opportunity to attend a marksmanship competition in Yellowknife or Whitehorse in March.
Johnson said the competition provides an opportunity for the JCRs to learn how to use rifles
properly in a safe environment.
"It teaches them the basic marksmanship principles, which they can then apply to hunting on the land," Johnson said. "That means that they can now aim better at the game, and harvest better and provide food for their families, it's very important that way."
Learning the marksmanship principles can be beneficial in other ways as well.

"It does teach them some self-discipline, and to be very patient and know exactly when to take
that shot," Johnson said. "It also brings them together."
There are also opportunities to practice marksmanship competitively at higher levels.
"It is also something that can lead on to national sport, even the Olympics, as there is an air rifle category during the summer Olympics," Johnson said.
During the weekend competition, the JCRs learned the five marksmanship principles:
positioning, how to hold a rifle, proper aim, timing their breathing, and trigger control.
"Those are the five basic principles. These are useful not only with air rifles, but any rifle, pistol,
and probably even darts," Johnson said. "They're useful to know for any marksmanship activity."
Brianna Gruben is a JCR from Tuktoyaktuk, but she practises with the new Inuvik JCR patrol
while she goes to school in Inuvik.

Before the marksmanship competition, Gruben said she had never used a rifle before and that she
was a little nervous.
By the end of it, she had a new perspective.
"I really like to target shoot," Gruben said. "I'm really confident now!"

FACT FILE
1st place: Fort Good Hope JCR patrol 838/1000
2nd place: Aklavik JCR patrol 813/1000
3rd place: Inuvik JCR patrol 654/1000
Top shot in competition: JCR Edward Kay, Aklavik
Top shot in prone position: JCR Alizette Amos, Fort Good Hope
Top shot in sitting position: JCR Mercedes Tobac, Fort Good Hope
Top shot in kneeling and standing position: JCR Kadin Cockney, Inuvik