Written by Join the ladies of the CUSF Women’s program, Project Mapleseed and LadyGuns for this episode of “She Shoots.”
This month, we are highlighting an organization that celebrates Canada’s history through education and entertainment.
We welcome 3 members from Guns of the Golden West, established in 1981, specializing in historical reenactments, educational presentations, old west shoot-out shows, period-authentic costuming and firearms and trick-shooting displays. Guns of the Golden West has worked with many well-known historical locations, events, and societies around Alberta and even into the United States, including the Calgary Stampede, Heritage Park, Aspen Crossing, Innisfail Historical Village, and Double T Percherons.
Guest Speakers:
Bob Wilson "Black Bart" - President of Guns of the Golden West
Bob began his reenactment journey 34 years ago when he began volunteering with the Calgary Stampede and was accepted onto the Promotion Committee and a sub-committee called the “Stampede Sixguns”. From there he joined the Guns of the Golden West Association where he has been an entertainer and educator since 1990.
Kelli-Anne McLean "Outlaw Anne"
Kelli-Anne was given her first gun (22LR) when she was just 5 years old by her dad who taught her proper firearms safety and she joined him every chance hunting big game in the mountains of BC.
Kelli-Anne always had a passion for firearm’s, especially 6-shooters and when she met a number of members of GOGW at the Easter Gun Show 8 yrs ago, She knew she had found a group she wanted to join. The rest has been burnt powder.
She enjoyed her time with GOGW since she joined because she loves that you can be someone else from a different time and have fun being period correct 1880’s era. Kelli-Anne’s husband, and their two daughters (13 & 6) are also members.
Kelli-Anne has a background in horses and has ridden with GOGW in the Calgary Stampede Parade and as an actor shooting at a train at Aspen Crossing.
Hannah Pedersen "Ruby Roan"
Hannah is a 25 year old homesteader from rural southern Alberta. She’s had a love of history and horses since before she could walk, but didn’t start to live these dreams until her mid teens.
Hannah was a competitive gymnast for over a decade in her formative years, and traveled to places like Australia and Portugal representing her club, Team Alberta, and Team Canada. Upon her retirement from gymnastics, that’s when she started to really get serious about horses, guns, and history and combining the three. She is currently in the process of gun-breaking her youngest mare, “Sarcee,” to begin her Mounted Shooting career (if she ever has time).
Aside from sport, Hannah completed a Bachelors Degree in Western Canadian History from the UofS, specializing in Western ranching operations and settler-first nations relations. She is an experienced Draft Horse Teamster, working at Heritage Park Historical Village for a few years as the ranch supervisor, and then working on a horse and cattle ranch south of Calgary. Now, she is onto a path into the Antique appraisal industry.
She’s always had an interest in guns, specifically historical firearms (if you couldn’t have already guessed). She believes there’s something very powerful in knowing how to use them in a day-in-age where people don’t like them and have no idea how to use them. She has her two prized revolvers (Ruger and Pietta), her nifty little mares leg, and her great grandfather’s rifle.
She got involved with the GGW in 2021 when Bob and another member of the club invited her to join the Guns at the Calgary Stampede Parade. She’s been a part of the club since then, as history, historical reenactment, horses, and guns are right up her alley.
About SHE SHOOTS PODCAST
SHE SHOOTS is a podcast for women in the shooting community and for those interested in learning more about it. It is hosted by women who shoot, hunt, and instruct and most importantly share a passion for introducing new ladies to the sport.
Coming to you on the second Tuesday of every month, the objective of SHE SHOOTS is to showcase various activities in the shooting sports and highlight the people who participate. We hope this will help you find something you are interested in learning more about and various ways to get involved.
Did you know the shooting community proudly boasts over 250,000 licensed women who participate across Canada? This sport has something for everyone and it’s easy to get out and give it a try.
Join us every month when we host SHE SHOOTS on a variety of social media platforms. This exciting collaboration is brought to you by the Canadian University Shooting Federation, Project Mapleseed and LadyGuns.
