LETTER – About the ‘professional marksmen’ who shot the ostriches

Posted on November 8, 2025 in Feedback, Letters // 3 Comments

(Image: Facebook)

Dear Armchair Mayor,

I didn’t realize that there were “professional marksmen” in Canada. Apparently, those are the folks who shot the 300+ ostriches inside a corral made from (straw?) bales. The bales would guarantee the ostriches could not escape and the bales would also serve to absorb projectiles fired from the guns.

Some people may wonder why there was a lull in the shooting but it was apparently to allow the police to change personnel for shift change. After the shift change, then the shooting resumed.

My question this morning, Armchair Mayor, could be, “When have Canada’s professional marksmen been used in the past and when will they be used in the future?”

Thanks Mel. You always have been and always will be a great journalist.

JOHN NOAKES,
Citizen of Westmount

Health

About Mel Rothenburger (11571 Articles)

ArmchairMayor.ca is a forum about Kamloops and the world. It has more than one million views. Mel Rothenburger is the former Editor of The Daily News in Kamloops, B.C. (retiring in 2012), and past mayor of Kamloops (1999-2005). At ArmchairMayor.ca he is the publisher, editor, news editor, city editor, reporter, webmaster, and just about anything else you can think of. He is grateful for the contributions of several local columnists. This blog doesn't require a subscription but gratefully accepts donations to help defray costs.

3 Comments on LETTER – About the ‘professional marksmen’ who shot the ostriches

Anonymous // November 9, 2025 at 12:39 PM // Reply

Professionals are used to cull deer in the East Kootenay town of Elkford among others.

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Miken // November 9, 2025 at 9:12 AM // Reply

Marksmen is a term to identify a level of training and qualifications. Most military type organizations have levels of marksmenship, the cadet program includes Marksman, First Class Marksman, Expert Marksman, Distinguished Marksman (https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/cadets-junior-canadian-rangers/cjcr-policy/catos/volume1/14-series/14-43/14-43-a.html).

The RCMP use the term more generally.

Canada has a long distinguished history of marksmen and snipers. Be a good way to spend your time as Remembrance Day approaches.

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- John Noakes // November 11, 2025 at 7:04 AM // Reply
  
  Indeed Sir, thanks for the reminder about Remembrance Day.
  
  My Dad and Uncles plus one Aunt were veterans of WW 2 in the European Theatre. One uncle was decorated with the DFC. Another uncle carried a shrapnel wound through his life. Another went overseas as a happy-go-lucky young man and came home a much different person; his duty was to pick up the wounded and gather body parts following air raids in England.
  
  As a younger man, I faithfully attended Remembrance Day ceremonies and was in Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto on a cold November 11th in the early 1980s. My mother was an active member of the Ladies’ Auxiliary and wore her uniform proudly every Remembrance Day.
  
  I try and watch as many Remembrance Day “movies” as possible with the Black Watch (sniper unit) being one of the ones I appreciate most. Another is Enemy at the Gate. When watching “Midway”, I appreciate the accuracy of the Morse code that is used on the movie.
  
  Indeed Sir, thanks for the reminder about Remembrance Day. Otherwise, I may have forgotten all about it.
  
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