Youth hunters on target at North Peace Rod & Gun Club awards night

The next generation of North Peace hunters took center stage this weekend as the North Peace Rod and Gun Club wrapped up its Annual Rich Petersen Youth Memorial White-Tail, Mule Deer, and Big Game Recognition Awards.

Photo submitted by Kim Rose

With 24 youth entries recognized and more than 70 people in attendance, this year’s awards night marked one of the most successful turnouts in the event’s history. Organizers say the numbers are an encouraging sign for the future of hunting, conservation, and mentorship in the region.

“This kind of participation speaks volumes about the values being passed down,” the club said following the event. “Seeing young hunters involved, engaged, and supported is something the entire community can be proud of.”

A very popular prize and awards table was one of the highlights of the day, with local sponsors providing enough prizes so that every youth was awarded for their participation. Rewarding the youth is just one of the reasons the event continues to expand each year.

Photo submitted by Kim Rose

“A sincere thank you goes out to Guy Lahaye for his leadership and continued support of the event, as well as to Royd Lusk of Skyline Wildlife Studios for scoring and for helping the day run smoothly,” stated the Club. “Their time, expertise, and dedication play a critical role in the success of the awards.”

A wide range of local sponsors also played a major role in making the awards possible this year. Support came from John Manly, Light Knives, Goodlo Holdings, Sheila Marshall, HD Services, Nemesis Oilfield Services, Low-Key Contractors, Skyline Wildlife Studios, Guy Lahaye, and BackCountry.

Club members say events like the Rich Petersen Youth Memorial Awards highlight why youth hunting programs matter, not just for tradition, but for conservation and ethical practices in the field.

“Youth hunting is critical to the future of conservation,” the club noted. “These events don’t happen without dedicated sponsors, committed volunteers, club members, and supportive families.”

With another successful year in the books, the North Peace Rod and Gun Club says it looks forward to continuing the tradition and celebrating young hunters for many years to come.