Members of the River Ridge Fish and Game League who did well hunting, fishing and taking wildlife photographs during the past year were recognized at the association’s 28th annual awards banquet on March 4.
Held at the Rainbow Hall in Canora, the event, with Kathy Thomas, the president, as emcee, began with Thomas extending a welcome to members and guests. She reminded members of the early bird membership draw, the pick-of-the-litter tickets that were being sold, the photography contest and raffle ticket sales and then called for a time of silence in memory of members who have died in the past year.
Thanking her organizing committee, Thomas said that “everything happens with a good crew” and thanked her husband Hal for his “strong support and gentle reminders. She thanked the donors of the raffle items, parents of the Extravidance club for operating the bar and those who helped set up for the event.
“Your generosity of time touches my heart,” she said. “We do what we do because we believe in habitat preservation.”
Thomas reminded the audience that while attending the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation convention she was able to make a presentation of $5,000 on behalf of River Ridge members to the Habitat Trust, bringing the total to $48,000 that has been donated to the cause by River Ridge members.
“That is incredible,’ she said, explaining that the money donated had been raised in part by last year’s awards banquet, and with this year’s banquet and everyone’s continued support, it should raise the total to over $50,000.
“We are saving habitat for our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren,” she said. “Our mission is to ensure the wildlife legacy we leave to our children surpasses that which we inherited.”
The dinner, which was prepared and served by 3-G’Friends (three good friends), a catering business operated since 2014 by Elizabeth Palchewich, Sherry Magnusson and Donna McCormick, included meatballs and sausage made from wild meat, as well as roast beef, salads, baked perogies and cabbage rolls. Included on the dessert tables were special cookies decorated to resemble Canada geese which were distributed to the younger members.
Robin Ludba took over the podium to announce the winners of the various big game, bird, fish and other awards.
Kathy Thomas received the award for women’s white-tailed deer for an animal that had scored 111 1/8 inches. The award was sponsored by the Bernath family.
Michael Owchar received an award sponsored by FMC Agricultural solutions for a white-tailed deer killed by archery. It had measured 91 4/8 inches.
Emily Owchar, for a white-tailed deer that measured 125 5/8 inches received a trophy sponsored by Dr. Ivan Rostotski in the junior category.
Brendon Holstein received an award sponsored by Yorkton Small Engine and Repair for a typical white-tailed deer which measured 151 6/8 inches.
Brent Danylko received an award sponsored by Tratch Construction Ltd. for having shot the top non-typical white-tailed deer that measured 158 7/8 inches.
Reg Zackrisson received an award sponsored by Ray’s Radiator Service for a typical mule deer that had measured 182 1/8 inches. The animal qualified to enter the Henry Kelsey record book.
Damon Paley received a Viterra award for a bear he had taken with bow and arrow which measured 20 10/16 inches. The animal qualified to enter the Henry Kelsey record book.
Robin Ludba, for a moose measuring 152 1/8, received an award sponsored by Magnificent Seven.
Reg Zackrisson, for an elk measuring 243 inches, received an award sponsored by Ernesto’s Guns and Such.
The only bird award presented went to Doug Lapitsky for a ruffed grouse that weighed one pound, 12 ounces. He received an award sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred.
In the fish category, Kerry Perpeluk received an award sponsored by 20 Twenty Wealth management for a burbot that weighed seven pounds, seven ounces.
The top sauger, which weighed four pounds, four ounces and measured 21.5 inches in length, was caught by Brad Thomsen, who received an award sponsored by Dr. Bob’s Marine Clinic. Thomsen also caught the best sturgeon, a catch-and-release fish which weighed 80 pounds and measured 65 inches in length and 28 inches in girth, and received an award sponsored by Richardson Pioneer.
Sharon Ripa, who caught the best perch in the senior category, which measured 11.75 inches, received an award sponsored by Canora Ambulance Care. Ripa also caught the best northern pike in the senior category, which weighed 18 pounds, eight ounces and was presented with an award sponsored by Leland Campbell LLP.
In the seniors’ walleye category, the award went to Brent Danylko for a fish that weighted seven pounds, eight ounces and was presented with an award sponsored by High Range Trucking.
The walleye aggregate award went to Reg Zackerson for a fish that weighed 39.44 pounds. He received an award sponsored by Hi-way Welding. Zackerson also received the Arrowhead Motors award for the catch-and-release walleye for a fish that measured 32 inches by 19 inches.
In the women’s catch-and-release walleye category, Sharon Ripa received a D.B. Baits award for a fish that measured 31.5 inches by 16.5 inches.
Kailey Sleeva received two trophies: the junior catch-and-release pike that measured 35.5 inches and received an award sponsored by IBT Roofing. She also received the award in the junior catch-and-release walleye category for a fish which measured 30 inches by 16.5 inches and she received an award sponsored by Community Insurance.
Kasen Heshka received an award sponsored by Royal Building Movers for the best perch caught by a junior fisherman. His fish weighed 10 ounces.
Kailey Sleeva was named the junior sportsperson of the year and received an award sponsored by the Gebhard family. She also won the award for photography in the junior category and received an award sponsored by the Kraynick family.
Haley Tratch received the award for best scenic photography and was presented with an award sponsored by Canora Photography and Framing. She also took the picture that was judged the best in the wildlife photography competition and received an award sponsored by Haas Nissan Ltd.
For his hard luck while out in the woods, Terry Ripa was presented with the “prestigious” Perogy Award, which was sponsored by River Ridge.
Ernie Gazdewich, who organized the Canora gun show, works hard for the branch, donated firearms for the raffle and is “a heart for wildlife habitat and the club” was presented with the member recognition award which is sponsored by River Ridge.
All the youngsters in the hall lined up to receive special tackle bags and tackle from Brent Danylko of B.D. Bait Distributing and toques from Greg Haas of Haas Nissan.
Ludba spoke briefly about changes in how to record fish that came into effect at the beginning of the year and said that only entries with weights measured by hand-held digital scales could be considered in catch-and-release categories.
After the awards were presented, the evening continued with socializing and the awarding of the many raffle prizes.
