An evening to bring together hunting and fishing enthusiasts was held in Canora at Rainbow Hall on February 25 when the Canora branch of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF) held its annual awards banquet.
There were approximately 100 persons attending the event, according to Steven Wyonzek, the president of the Canora branch of the SWF, and emcee for the evening.
Membership sales for 2016 were 240 members, said Wyonzek.
“One of our goals in this branch is to support the Habitat Trust funds, and this year we donated $1,500. We also have a hide collection where the money raised from the hides goes toward Habitat Trust.
“Another big focus of the club is getting youth involved in the outdoors,” he said. “We support youth who are interested in taking the Hunter Safety course by paying their fees.”
Wyonzek listed other initiatives undertaken by the club, including its support of NASP (National Archery in the Schools Program) and a monetary donation to the Josh Gogal and Dwight Duls Road to Recovery Fundraiser.
During the evening, banquet attendees were encouraged to take time to vote for their favourite wildlife and scenic photos that had been entered in the photo contest.
Each youth member associated with the Canora wildlife federation was a recipient of a compass, presented by Wyonzek, who said he would like to see the club flourish for generations to come.
“We as a club believe in helping our youth in our community get involved in the outdoors, so we have something for them to get them outdoors, exploring and experiencing nature,” he said.
Nathan Dutchak, a conservation officer who is based out of Duck Mountain Provincial Park, was the guest speaker. He encouraged members to have dialogue and sharing between conservation officers and members of all branches of the SWF.
“If you have concerns, call the officers, or the TIPS (Turn In Poachers) line,” he said. He was available to answer questions throughout the evening.
The banquet meal was prepared by Pam Rurak and Monica Chupa of A Matter of Taste catering of Canora.
Many businesses had donated a large number of prizes which could be won by purchasing tickets, as well as a silent auction for a major prize.
An important part of the evening was the presentation of awards to the hunters and anglers who had excelled during the year made by Steven Wyonzek, club president.
Big Game
Recipients of the big game awards were: Kaitlyn Landstad, junior girls white-tailed deer, 86 1/8 points; Hudson Bailey, junior boys white-tailed deer, 101 2/8 points; Sara Neustaedter, womens white-tailed deer, 112 6/8 points; Mike Zbeetneff, mens white-tailed deer, 153 2/8 points, and he was presented with the Mirv Kowalyshyn Award; Lyle Hadubiak, mens moose, 159 3/8 points, and he was presented with the Warren Malischewski Award.
Fish
Recipients of the fish awards were: Jason Rakochy, mens walleye, 10 pounds, three ounces, and he was presented with the Ostafie’s Seed Farm annual walleye trophy; Danielle Rakochy, womens walleye, seven pounds, eight ounces; Carter Dereniwsky, junior boys walleye, 10 pounds, eight ounces; Garry Landstad, mens northern pike, 24 pounds, six ounces, and he was presented with the John Dutchak Memorial annual pike trophy; Kaitlyn Landstad, junior girls northern pike, 14 pounds, 10 ounces, and she was presented with the Elmer Dutchak Memorial annual junior trophy; Brendon Landstad, junior boys northern pike, 14 pounds five ounces; Debbie Pozniak, womens perch, one pound, 15 ounces; Steven Wyonzek, mens channel catfish, 12 pounds; Blaine Hammerstrom, mens carp, 17 pounds, seven ounces; Theresa Hammerstrom, womens carp, 14 pounds, eight ounces; Kelly Bilan, mens lake trout, five pounds, 13 ounces; Sandy Bilan, womens lake trout, four pounds, six ounces, and Gerald Pozniak, mens rock bass, one pound, 15 ounces.
Birds
Recipients of the bird awards were: Nestor Dutchak, mens duck, three pounds, 14 ounces; Brendon Landstad, junior boys duck, three pounds, nine ounces; Greg Landstad, mens Canada goose, 14 pounds, one ounce, and Adam Joyce, junior boys Canada goose, 10 pounds.
Photography awards
Helga Zbeetneff won the award for scenic photography, while Danielle Rakochy won for wildlife photography.
After the awards portion of the program was concluded those in attendance who had purchased raffle tickets and had their number drawn, had the opportunity to pick out prizes from the numerous prize donations that were displayed on four tables. The silent auction prize was also concluded and awarded.
Wyonzek encouraged members to attend the branch’s annual meeting which was held March 1. The club has about six to 10 meetings a year and every member is welcome to attend whether he or she is part of the executive or not, he said.
