The Preeceville branch of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation paid tribute to successful hunters and fishers at its annual awards banquet on April 7 at the Preeceville Legion Hall.
Owen Myhr, president, spoke briefly on the club’s accomplishments throughout the year.
Darren Newberry, the Provincial Habitat Land Co-ordinator was the special guest speaker.
A slide photograph presentation featured the club members’ accomplishments throughout the year. The walls were decorated with numerous antler and horn mounts.
There were 26 silent auction items up for sale. There was a children's corner with fun games and prizes.
There were numerous bucket draws and a ping-pong auction was held with 12 balls auctioned off for the opportunity to win a choice of prizes. Wes Arneson won the winner's choice raffle and he selected an ice fishing package which included an ice fishing hut, an Ion ice auger and two ice fishing rods.
First-time hunters were acknowledged with special medals. Norman Johnson, firearm safety instructor, made the presentation to Jesse Nelson, Hudsyn Nelson, Mason Bilan and Wyatt Fedorchuk.
Kyle Prokopetz was the auctioneer for the live auction.
Adam Russell won the Frank Arnie Memorial Award for largest overall fish that weighed 35 pounds.
Kelsey Burton won the Dan Hort Memorial Award for largest walleye that weighed 9.1 pounds.
Mason Bilan won the Rob Neitling Memorial Award for junior pike for his entry that weighed 11.7 pounds.
Cody Zubko won the Bob Masko Memorial Award for a moose shot by a male hunter that scored 175 inches.
Jakob Turchinetz won the Peter Steppan Memorial Award for an elk taken by a junior hunter. It had scored 239 and 1/4 inches. Turchinetz also won the junior antelope award for his entry that scored 76 and 1/4 inches and junior moose award, for his entry at 128 inches.
Tammy Chornomitz won the Lorin Tonn Memorial Award for largest elk that scored 260 and 1/4 inches.
Owen Myhr won the Sam Bowey Memorial Award for largest whitetailed deer that scored 161 and 1/8 inches.
Mark Tonn won the perch award for his entry that weighed 1.15 pounds.
Paxton Yaholnitsky won the junior perch award for a 1.6-pound entry. Yaholnitsky also won the junior walleye award at 3.6 pounds.
Trevor Bilan won the walleye award for his entry that weighed 8.8 pounds.
Colleen Bilan won the women's walleye award for her entry that weighed 7.5 pounds. Bilan also won the women's whitetailed deer award for her entry that scored 143 and 1/4 inches.
Claire Masko won the junior women's walleye for her entry that weighed 3.2 pounds.
Keane Balyski won the junior lake trout award for his entry that weighed 10 pounds.
Cody Link won the northern pike award for his entry that weighed 22 pounds.
Shayna Waite won the women's northern pike award for her entry that weighed 16 pounds.
Kiera Balyski won the junior women's northern pike award for her entry that weighed 21 pounds.
Lyndon Gawrelitza won the goldeye award for his entry that weighed 2.3 pounds.
Sarah Masko won the small mouth bass award for her entry that weighed two pounds.
Ty Olson won the junior white-tailed deer award for his entry that scored 138 and 3/8 inches.
Chloe Chornomitz won the junior women's white tail award. Her entry was the only entry in that category and was not recorded.
Dylan Myhr won the elk award for his entry that scored 251 and 1/2 inches. Myhr also won the mule deer award for his entry that scored 168 and 3/4 inches.
Brett Geistlinger won the archery elk award for his entry that scored 233 inches.
Logan Townsend won the non-typical mule deer award for his entry that scored 195 7/8 inches.
Steven Geistlinger won the goose award for his entry that weighed 12 pounds.
Evan Steppan won the duck award for his entry that weighed 3.08 pounds.
Kelly Maupin won the ruffed grouse award for his entry that weighed 2.9 pounds.
Macey Balawyder won the youngest fisherman award.
Pictures of scenery, wildlife and fields were on display and numerous sets of antlers lined the walls of the hall.
Olivia Ivanochko and Owen Draper won the children’s door prize. Heather and Greg Gawrelitza sponsored the raffle.
The supper menu included elk and moose roasts, deer sausage, smoked turkey, elk meatballs, pork cutlets, boar bits, deep fried fish, wild rice, potatoes, perogies, cabbage rolls, desserts, salads, and refreshments which were served by Irene Perrich.
A dance concluded the event with music by DJ Kanada.
The 2018 Preeceville wildlife federation executive includes: Owen Myhr, president; Colin Masko and Kelly Maupin, trophy chairs; Darcy Rediger, vice-president; Heather Gawrelitza, secretary and treasurer; Tony Steciuk, membership chairman; Norman Johnson, firearm safety chairman; Shane Nelson, fisheries chairman; Greg Gawrelitza, campground chairman and Eugene Panasiewich, habitat chairman.
