This group is reliving Canadian history in our own backyard

Tim Smith is wearing a bandana and other clothing emblematic of the fur trade era, and is adorned with specialty knives, shooting equipment and necklaces.

As he fires his gun at a small, red metal duck, the haze and smell of blackpowder hangs in the air.

Smith is a member of the Blackpowder Explorers & Associated Riflemen (B.E.A.R), a group of people who are interested in living and recreating Canadian history between the 1700s and 1840s.

“Our clothing, and gear, and camps are as close to authentic as possible,” Smith told Kelowna10.

He said the group lends no shortage of opportunities to learn and experience.

“Some of us make all our own clothes by hand. We’ll buy kits for our firearms and build them ourselves. Our powder horns - a lot of us make them ourselves,” Smith added.

The club hosts rendezvous, where people get together and participate in a recreated historical event, harkening to a time long gone.

At historical rendezvous would involve a litany of contest, with trappers and traders showcasing their skills.

“There would be shooting competitions. They would throw their knives and tomahawks, and so we really are kind of recreating that event,” he said.

Smith said a lot of the clubs members arrange their vacations and holidays around different events.

B.E.A.R was established over 25 years ago, and current president, Todd Fitchett, has been involved for roughly 10.

“Our rendezvous have people from all over show up,” Fitchett said.

Their most recent get together was a snowshoe shoot, hosted in the wilderness of Joe Rich.

“We wear snowshoes while we go on our trail and shoot at our targets. Basically, we all just have a lot of fun,” he said.

Fitchett added people who enjoy shooting have the opportunity to handle old-school weapons.

“If anyone wants to join us, we offer comradery, friendship and everything,” Fitchett said.

He added his favorite part of the club is getting together and meeting people.

“We’re a fun group.”