The overarching sentiment expressed at Saturday’s wildlife banquet in Kamsack had to do with the branch’s success in attracting one of the largest crowds for the banquet in recent memory.
“This is an awesome turnout. It’s unreal,” said Tyson Barrowman, president of the Kamsack branch of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF).
“I’m thrilled to see the Kamsack wildlife federation doing so well,” said Clint Chernoff, past president and delegate for the SWF’s Region 3. “This new group (in charge of the branch) is excellent.
“The future of the Kamsack wildlife federation is very bright,” Chernoff said.
The reception began with Kamsack Mayor Rod Gardner bringing greetings on behalf of the citizens of Kamsack. He said the community appreciates the work members do and town council is looking forward to working with the members on its projects, including a project which could find a new use for the community’s old off-stream water storage reservoir.
Gardner encouraged everyone to have fun and participate in the various activities designed to raise funds for the branch.
“It all goes to a good cause,” Gardner said.
Chernoff introduced members of the Kamsack branch’s new executive committee, including: Barroman; Tyson Leis, the vice-president; Alison Stefiuk, the secretary and membership chair; Allan Wonitowy, treasurer, and Walter Lesiuk, fisheries chair.
Prior to the serving of the meal, a minute’s silence was called in memory of members who had died in the past year, including Fran Schmyr, who had devoted 10 years to working on the branch’s executive committee and “whose contributions and dedication to the SWF were an inspiration to others,” and for members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Following the supper, Chernoff again remarked on the large number of people attending and said that the branch never had so many children attend the banquet.
“I’m tickled pink,” he said, adding that meetings have resulted in much participation with members willing to “roll up their sleeves to get the job done.
“You’re doing a tremendous job,” he said.
A special award was presented to Stefiuk in recognition of “everything that she has done for the branch.”
Taking to the podium, Barrowman said that he has been a part of the branch for a long while and he sees his work on the executive as a way of “giving back.”
Barrowman discussed the recent SWF convention in Yorkton where the Kamsack group had hosted a hospitality room and said that the experience had been “very interesting.” He mentioned that convention delegates had dicussed the wild boar situation and the movement towards tracking moose, elk and bear across Saskatchewan.
He mentioned several projects “on the go,” including the possibility of making use of the Kamsack reservoir, hosting fishing derbies and the desire for members to have a gun range and clubhouse.
Barrowman thanked his “awesome crew” and encouraged people to attend the branch’s regular meetings held the second Tuesday of each month, and said that the branch now has a presence on Facebook.
Barrowman and Leis presented trophies to the branch’s hunters who had distinguished themselves during the past year.
In the men’s white-tailed typical deer category, Lorne Leis placed first with an animal that measured 161 4/8 points, while Riley Eiffert placed second with an animal that measured 151 4/8.
Wayne Airriess placed first in the non-typical white-tailed deer category for an animal that measured 159 7/8, while Drew Werboweski placed second (147 6/8).
In the men’s moose category, Chris Chutskoff placed first (129 1/8) and Brian Morgan was second (124 3/8).
Amber Chutskoff placed first in the women’s moose category (119 2/8), and Rosalee Hilderman, second (43 6/8).
Amber Chutskoff was recognized for placing first in the women’s typical white-tailed deer category for an animal that measured 134 2/8.
In the girls junior typical white-tailed deer category, Kailey Bowes was first (120 3/8) and Courtney Chutskoff, second (101 5/8).
Ethan Shabatoski placed first in the junior moose category for an animal that measured 138 2/8.
In the boys junior typical white-tailed deer category, Wyatt Ewasiuk was first (158 7/8) and Conner Bodnarek, second (139 3/8).
Kailey Bowes received the award for girls top junior bear (20 7/16), while in the boys category, Wyatt Ewasiuk placed first (19 8/16) and Ethan Shabatoski, second (15 10/16).
After Jack Erhardt was presented with a special gift in recognition of his work with the branch, Chernoff discussed his work as a Region 3 director.
The main thing a director does is to “talk and argue about everything,” Chernoff said, explaining that the SWF board makes all the decisions for the SWF, including the direction it takes.
“We’re very busy now,” he said, mentioning the Saskatchewan Crown Lands Conservation committee and associated legislative changes. He was critical of the lack of management of Crown lands, and said that the SWF 10-year plan on wildlife and habitat is going well so far and was pleased that decisions are increasingly science-based.
The hatchery at Fort Qu’Appelle is going well, he said, adding that the federation is able to access more funds than the provincial government alone.
Chernoff said that the SWF expects a membership of 36,000 this spring, which helps the group’s “strong voice.”
He said the National Archery in the Schools Program is growing and mentioned an education and conservation camp, expanded staff at the SWF head office, and said that it is believed that in the not-too-distant future it is expected that there will be more wild boars than people in Saskatchewan. He also mentioned the hazards of the zebra mussels in Canadian waterways.
Among door prize winners were: Allan Wonitowy, Howard Rauckman, Cheryl Bloudoff, Brett McGregor, Barry Golay, Kim Magnan and Chris Kulak.
The remainder of the evening included a silent auction, the popular ping-pong auction and socializing.
