The 20th Annual Auspice Capital Director’s Invitational was held on Thursday, September 7th at the AHEIA Calgary Firearms Centre at DeWinton. Long known for being a gorgeous day weather wise – the trend continued as we had another gorgeous late summer day.

The Calcutta was a big hit as usual with over $8,000.00 generated in bidding for teams. The Golden Prairie Team won the Calcutta while Team Italy and Team Stampede Toyota split the remainder of the pot. 

After the Calcutta the shoot began. The competition is one round of Trap, one round of Trap Doubles and one round of Skeet. The new winning team was The Five Losses who were the first team to ever show up in team uniforms – jeans with matching shooting shirts, thanks to The Blackfoot Inn. Each shooter sported a different name on the back – with prominently featured titles: LOW, SLOW, FAST, HIGH & FLINCH. 

What set the 20th Anniversary shoot apart from all of the others was the presence and support of James Purdey & Sons – Gun & Rifle Makers. Alastair Bowles and Andrew Ambrose flew over from England to join us at the shoot.  They brought prizes for the shoot, auction items and gave every shooter a Purdey field cap. They also brought several shotguns for the attendees to try out at the 5-stand clay course. Not many people get to shoot a gun valued at over $100,000.00.

Another great meal and great event thanks to the folks from Great Events. What would a Pheasants Forever event be without a little auction?  6 Orvis Pro vests were put up on auction each with a card in a pocket. Darin Dunlop bought the lucky vest and won a Franchi Instinct 12 gauge over and under shotgun.  

We ended the evening with the draw for the Hot Summer Shotgun Raffle. Congratulations to Corey Rasmussen from Alberta Conservation Association for winning the Fausti 20 gauge over and under shotgun.

Thanks to Bill Brown of Elevate Auctions, Burak Cankodaz, Carson & Kade McCormick, MacKenzie Lackten, Terri and Laurette for their tremendous support.

It was another first class, high energy, warm & friendly event. The highlight of the night was Bob Merkley winning the Franchi .410 Over and Under Shotgun and promptly gifted it to Pheasants Forever Patron, Ruben Garcia, who on that day became a Canadian Citizen. Class act Bob and congratulations to Ruben!

A special thanks to Auspice Capital for their sponsorship, allowing us to crank it all up a bit.