Recognizing that the Canora branch of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation is now being led by a “much younger” executive, the branch can take pride in the fact that it is a leader in meeting a provincial SWF priority, said Steven Wyonzek, branch president, at the annual awards banquet and fundraiser on Saturday.

         Wyonzek, who noted that he was just 24 years old, observed that the five new members of the branch’s executive are his contemporaries from the perspective of the age factor.

         Michael Zbeetneff, who had been the branch president for 15 years, has been stressing this point ever since he stepped down at the beginning of the year. He and several other executive members informed the membership in December that they were stepping down and it was time to introduce the executive to some new blood. The outgoing executive members couldn’t have been more pleased with the process that truly led to a new generation assuming the leadership.

         During Saturday’s awards program, Zbeetneff took the microphone to stress this fact one more time. To make this transition even more gratifying, he stressed that “no one was “roped in – all of them volunteered.” Looking at it from that perspective also speaks to their dedication; already displaying that each one is accepting his or her new responsibilities with pride.

         Having just been elected branch president, one of Wyonzek’s first tasks was to represent the branch at the provincial SWF convention, which was held in Yorkton on February 19-21. With so much of the local discussion being about introducing younger members to leadership positions, Wyonzek took a particular interest in the theme for the provincial convention – Overcoming Nature Deficit Disorder: Step Outside. The keynote speaker was Brian Keating, a celebrated wildlife expert and anthropology professor, who focused on “the important role that outdoor pursuits play in living a fulfilled life.”

         The term “Nature Deficit Disorder” was first coined by the author Richard Louv, who “refers to the fact that human beings, especially children, are spending less time outdoors.” The resulting issues and problems are tangible.

         When described as an adverse direction being taken by society in general, one would expect that Nature Deficit Disorder has crept into the lives of regular people, but that is not the case, Wyonzek said. Even in his short 24 years of life, Wyonzek said he can already identify factors leading to detachment from the natural world. It has been a relatively long time since man left behind the requirement to be active in the wilderness (hunting and fishing).

         Now it is possible for a person to live comfortably without ever leaving home, he said. Because everything one needs to survive can be found at a nearby grocery store the gap in the connection to nature continues to grow and as it grows the rate accelerates. Without the dependence on nature, it is nature that is being hurt the most. The SWF is almost 90 years old and throughout its history, preserving wildlife habitat has been a priority. Wyonzek reiterated that the big difference now is the rate at which this “disconnect” is growing. It is through youth that the Nature Deficit Disorder is most easily identified, but it is being experienced at all ages.

         In his lifetime, Wyonzek said he could not imagine growing up without that close connection to nature – hunting and fishing or just going for a hike and watching the birds. It is natural for youth to be drawn to amenities that nature provides, but they need to be encouraged to take those first steps. That is one responsibility that every SWF member needs to embrace.

         Speaking from personal experience, Wyonzek said he has a 10-year-old nephew who could quite happily spend every day indoors. It took a very minor nudge for this youth to step outside and begin exploring the outdoors with abundant enthusiasm. In his case, Wyonzek said he taught his nephew how to shoot, but there is an infinite number of ways to begin a relationship with nature. It could be something as simple as watching birds in the backyard or going for a hike.

         “It is our responsibility” to introduce youth to nature and the rewards are virtually immediate, he said. Being a responsible SWF member does not have to revolve around only hunting and fishing. Developing a respect for nature in turn develops responsible conservationists. That is why SWF programs such as Habitat Trust and Wildlife Tomorrow are respected internationally. During the provincial convention, the Canora branch was presented a plaque to recognize that over the years it has donated more than $10,000 to the Habitat Trust program. It is something for which the branch members can be proud, but it is actually common among the many SWF branches. The SWF is the biggest conservation organization in the province.

          The Canora branch donated $1,500 to the program this year alone, Wyonzek said. The branch also runs a hide collection program through which donated hides generate funds so more Habitat Trust land can be purchased in the local area and across the province.

         The new executive has been discussing methods of promoting the Wildlife Tomorrow program, he said. As the habitat committee chairman, Josh Gogol is encouraging land owners to enter a partnership with the SWF through which small parcels of land, such as old farm yards, can be used as wildlife habitat.

         Locally, the branch will continue supporting a variety of programs focused on youth, Wyonzek said. Whether it’s through scholarships or promoting hunter safety programs, the branch maintains that youth engagement is a priority. NASP (National Archery in the Schools Program) is a good example of how SWF sponsorship locally continues to be an overwhelming success.

         Nature Deficit Disorder can be overcome very easily, he said. “All one needs to do is step outside.”

Hunters and fishermen recognized

         A highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards to the top hunters and fishermen from 2015.

Birds

         In the birds category, Garry Landstad won the Canada goose trophy for an entry that weighed 13 pounds and four ounces. Jayden Bisschop won the junior Canada goose trophy for a bird weighing 10 pounds.

         Nestor Dutchak won the duck award for a bird weighing three pounds and 13 ounces.

Fish

         Nestor Dutchak won the men’s northern pike award (John Dutchak Memorial Trophy) for a fish weighing 22 pounds and five ounces.

         Larry Tiechko won the men’s perch award for an entry weighing one pound and five ounces.

         There were no entries in the men’s walleye category.

         In the junior boys division, Thomas Hauber won the northern pike award for a fish weighing 16 pounds and one ounce. Brenden Landstad won the walleye award for an entry weighing three pounds and 11 ounces.

         In the women’s division, Debbie Butz, Debbue Butz won the northern pike award for a fish weighing 20 pounds. Danielle Rakochy won the walleye award for a fish weighing seven pounds, 12 ounces. Marlene Kozak won the perch trophy for a fish weighing one pound and five ounced.

         In the junior girls division, there was no entries for northern pike. Kaitlyn Landstad won the walleye award for fish weighing eight pounds.

Big game

         In the men’s division, Greg Landstad won the moose trophy (Warren Malishewski Memorial Trophy) for an entry that measured 169 and three-eighths inches.

         There was no entry for elk or bear in the men’s division.

         Devin Hrywkiw won the award for typical mule deer (Ken Naduriak Memorial Trophy) for an entry that scored  152 and five-eighths inches.

         Grant Landstad won the typical white-tailed deer award (Merv Kowalyshyn Memorial Trophy) for an entry which measured 149 and one-eighth inches.

         In the junior boys division, Joshua Herman won the white-tailed deer award for an entry that measured 143 and three-eighths inches. There was no entry in the moose category.

         In the junior girls division, Felicity Mydonick won the typical white-tailed deer award for an entry that scored 120 and five-eighths inches. There was no entry in the moose category.

         In the women’s division, Cindy Dutchak won the moose award with an entry that scored 132 and six-eighths inches. Sarah Neustaedter won the typical white-tailed deer award for an entry that measured 123 and four-eighths inches.

Photography

         For the photography contest, entries were put on display and branch members in attendance had the opportunity to vote for their favourite photographs. Tom Rakochy Memorial Awards were presented to Larry Tiechko in the wildlife category and to Josh Gogol in the scenic category.

Executive

            Members of the branch executive are: Steven Wyonzek, president; Jason Rakochy, vice-president; Matthew Sleeva, secretary; Shauna Nordin, treasurer; Greg Landstad, membership chairman; Josh Gogol, habitat committee chairman and wildlife advisory committee chairman; and Gerald Pozniak, fisheries committee chairman.