Grenfell -
The Grenfell chapter of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation held their annual awards banquet Saturday at the Grenfell Community Hall.
The evening included the club's traditional wild game dinner and dance as well as the award presentations.
Approximately 200 people came out to enjoy a meal that included moose, elk, deer, rabbit, turkey, and fish.
This year's guest speaker at the event was Adam Schmidt, Wildlife Biologist for this region and stationed at Melville.
Schmidt talked about four major changes effecting Saskatchewan hunters in his address to the crowd.
There will be two positive effects of the new Sunday hunting, said Schmidt. The change to allow Sunday hunting will give people more time to hunt and there will be an economic spinoff for restaurants, gas stations, and motels in rural Saskatchewan.
We reached the high point of hunters in 1981 with 70,000 whitetail deer hunters, he said.
For the last four years the numbers of hunters has steadily increased getting closer to the 1981 level.
We are also seeing an increase in bird hunters to a total of 20,000 last year.
Schmidt also announced the next fixed hunting season dates.
Moose population in southern Saskatchewan has increased dramatically said Schmidt. To address this a new 2009 and 2010 moose season and antlerless deer season has been proposed.
The final major change announced by Schmidt was ATV rights and the use of them while hunting.
"Please read your hunting guide every year," stressed Schmidt. "There are changes every year."
In his president's report Glen Lowenberg expressed his appreciation to everyone who helped out for the evening and to all the members of the club for their time they spend on the many other functions throughout the year.
"We would like to invite anyone who is interested in hunting, fishing, bird watching, hiking or any other outdoor activities to come out and join our organization and help preserve all of theses activities for future generations," Lowenberg said.
Lowenberg also mentioned two upcoming events the club will be hosting.
"For anyone who is interested, we have a kid's ice fishing day March 15th at Grenfell Beach area," he said.
"Bring your kids to the lake to have a day of fishing, while we explain the dos and don'ts of ice fishing."
In the spring, on April 26th, the club will be having a nature walk for the kids.
"We go out and spend an afternoon hiking and answering any questions that the kids may have," Lowenberg said.
At the end of the hike there will be a campfire and a wiener roast for everyone.
Following the speeches the award presentations were handed out:
Glen Emke took home the trophy for Whitetail Non-Typical with 183 3/8, while Kyle Krueger won the Whitetail Typical category with 162 3/8.
Derek Manovich won the award for Whitetail Most Even Over 100 with 1 5/8.
Michelle Roberts won the award for Typical Mule Deer with a 157 4/8.
Larry Hubbard won the award for Elk with a score of 233 4/8.
Tyler Carles took home the awards in three hunting categories: Black Bear, 17 6/8; Canada Goose, 11 lb. 5 oz; and Mallard Duck, 3 lb. 6 oz.
Carl Mielke took home the award for Northern Pike weighing in at 22 lbs. 4 oz.
Dalton Manovich picked up two fishing awards: Walleye 6 lbs. 2 oz. and Perch (adult) 15 oz.
Ben Saleski won the category for 12 and Under Perch at 1 lb. 6 oz.
This year's conservation award went to Jamie Gorchynski. This special award is designed to recognize a club member for their outstanding efforts towards conservation.
Winning the award for photography scenic 2008 was Walter Ashfield and photography wildlife 2008 was Jim Emke.
