Barn Archers Shine at TAANS Shoot 2025 in New Annan
The annual TAANS Legacy Traditional Archery Shoot took place July 12–13 in the stunning hills of New Annan, and once again, Barn Archers made their mark!
With 54 traditional archers in attendance, this year’s event was one for the book—beautiful weather, amazing hospitality, and a whole lot of great shooting.
The weekend featured four full rounds—two each day—with 20 3D targets per round and two arrows per target. Archers camped across the lush property, with tents and campers popping up everywhere. The setting couldn’t have been better for a weekend of archery, laughter, and connection.
Free lunches were generously provided both days—hot dogs, burgers, and pulled pork kept everyone fueled. Saturday night brought the signature campfire gathering, complete with guitars, stories, and a warm, welcoming vibe.
The Best Campfire Story Trophy, handcrafted and donated by Marla Webber, was awarded to the evening’s top storyteller—an annual favourite!
Barn Archers – Taking the Podium
Congratulations to all of you!
Our Barn Archers team had an incredible showing this year, with several archers placing at the top of their categories:
🏅 1st Place
- Karen Cann
- Madely MacGillivray
- Tessa Stamper
🥈 2nd Place
Grace MacGillivray
Anthony Williams
Jennifer Williams
Bridget Benz
🥉 3rd Place
Judy Abbass
Olivia Williams
And in a showstopping finale, 9-year-old Tessa Stamper took on the shoot-off for the Overall Champion title.
Facing top competitors—including seasoned shooters and even World Championship participants—Tessa kept her focus, showed nerves of steel, and with a final score of 26 points across three targets, won the whole thing.
What a proud moment for Barn Archers and Cape Breton Island!
Highlights from the Weekend
The always-popular Milk-Jug-Shoot brought laughter and excitement, with Patrick Walsh & Phil Nelson claiming victory in a head-to-head shootout.
A special gift card for Longest Journey was awarded to Christian Desrosiers—glad you made the trip!
As in past years, Phil Nelson took care of the TAANS Shoot T-shirts. They looked fantastic once again—and sold out quickly!
Glenda MacGillivray was everywhere—behind the camera, in the kitchen, and lending a hand wherever needed. A heartfelt thank you for your energy and dedication!
The Black Hat (Bill Speed Award), presented by the NS Federation of Anglers & Hunters to recognize outstanding service, was awarded to Bridget Benz. Congratulations on this well-deserved honour!
Huge Thanks to the Hosts
A huge shout-out goes to Mike & Barb McCallum and their fantastic team for welcoming us to their breathtaking property and making everything run like clockwork. We’re truly grateful for your hospitality and hard work.
Thank You, TAANS — and Onward to 2026!
We’re proud of everyone who represented Barn Archers so well this year, and we’re grateful to TAANS for organizing another stellar event.
To all the volunteers, participants, storytellers, donors, and supporters—thank you for making this weekend so memorable.
Here’s to a successful 2025—and we’ll see you again next year on the range! 🏹🔥🎯
