At top, Jim (Tiny) George from Merritt loads his period rifle during the recent Black Powder Shoot at the Sportmen’s Bowl gun range in Oliver. Above, Stan Siemens from Okanagan Falls relaxes in front of his canvas tent.
Jim George and his wife Fran don’t need a time machine because they’re already living in the past.
The president and secretary of the BC Black Powder Association demonstrated their love for the sport in Oliver recently at the annual Black Powder Shoot at the Sportsmen’s Bowl.
“It’s a lot of fun, and it’s cheap to shoot (about 30 cents a shot),” said Jim, whom everyone calls “Tiny.”
Like others who attend these events, Fran and Tiny dress up in period (fur trade) costumes and shoot steel balls from antique rifles. They also throw tomahawks and knives.
“I feel like I’m back in time . . . sometimes I go to places and I get the feeling that I’ve been there before,” said Tiny.
He’s been shooting black powder since 1964 when he competed in the Summer Games in Vancouver. The 70-year-old builds guns, noting he made a 1400s-style matchlock that still fires.
He also gathers wild plants to make hunter’s tea.
Fran said if she had her druthers, she’d wear her costume every day because it’s so comfortable.
Most of her wardrobe consists of period clothing.
Although she loves taking part in these events, Fran admitted she wouldn’t want to travel back in time to live this life.
“It’s a lot of hard work.”
But she got used to it for seven years when she lived in the Northwest Territories where she washed everything by hand and didn’t have the benefit of electricity or a plumbed toilet.
Using candles and oil lamps are old hat for Fran, who knows all about sleeping under canvas. But when she and Tiny don’t feel like setting up tent, they bring their “tin teepee (fifth wheel trailer).
During these black powder shoots, Fran is best known for her fry bread. All she has to do is shout “fry bread” and a line-up of people soon appears.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
