The Yorkton Wildlife Federation held its annual banquet on Saturday, March 4. The banquet acts as a fundraiser for various projects the club has going on, as well as an awards ceremony for local hunters and photographers who have done well throughout the hunting season.
YWF president Warren Thomson said this year was a good one for many hunters around the province, though he joked that for him personally the season wasn’t so great.
“I know provincially there’s been some hunters who have had some really good success, and fishermen,” he said. “Locally, there’s some nice stuff that’s been turned in.”
The YWF has had a steady number of members throughout the past few years, with the numbers spiking once fishing and hunting seasons kick off.
Heath Dreger is the president of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation. As a member of the Henry Kelsey Big Game Records & Awards board, he said that Yorkton local Brian Nielsen had the top typical in the province for this year, with a white tail.
“That’s good for our club here,” said Dreger.
Dreger said on a provincial level, they’re also looking at two new provincial records this year from outside of the Yorkton area.
Yorkton Awards
Top YWF junior awards included: Junior Bear, Reilee Slusarchuk (19 13/16) and Zachary Gehl (16 13/16). Junior White Tail Deer, Zach Wasylyshen (136 2/8), Zachary Gehl (121 1/8) and Brady Blazeiko (120 1/8).
The top YWF adult winners in fish categories were: Perch – Adeline Herman (1 lbs. 12 oz.). Pike – Jason Uhryn (11 lbs. 1 oz.). Lake trout – Barry Herman (30 lbs. 2 oz.). Rainbow trout – Dale Lazurko (1 lbs. 2 oz.). Catch & release – Laura Uhryn (25 lbs. 9 oz., Pike). Master Angler Award – Barry Herman (9 pts.).
The top YWF adult winners in game bird categories were: Goose – Farron Stricker (14 lbs. 4 oz.) and Dale Lazurko (13 lbs. 3 oz.).
The top YWF adult winners in big came categories were: Typical whitetail deer – Brian Nielsen (178 1/8). Non-typical white tail deer – Sheldon Van Parys (160 1/8). Typical mule deer – Aron Hershmiller (180 7/8). Non-typical mule deer – Clinton Leis (189 6/8). Moose – Ken Norman (191 0/8). Antelope – Greg Schick (66 4/8). Typical elk – Jen Prysliak (283 6/8). Bear – Dean Schill (21 3/16).
The top YWF winners in specialty categories were: Ladies big game – Lindsay Brownridge, Typical Whitetail (165 3/8).
Archery big game – Clinton Leis, non-typical mule deer (189 6/8). Achery bear – Dean Schill (21 3/16).
Black Powder – Aron Hershmiller, typical mule deer (180 7/8). Big game aggregate – Aron Hershmiller (14 points). Overall big game – Ken Norman, moose (191 0/8).
Still to come for the Yorkton Wildlife Federation: Yorkton is hosting the Henry Kelsey Awards, a provincial award ceremony, on April 8 at St. Mary’s Cultural Centre.
