The Redberry Wildlife Federation (RWF) held its annual banquet and awards evening March 16 at Blaine Lake Memorial Hall.
More than 140 members and guests gathered for a steak and fish supper followed by the angling and big game hunting awards presentations and musical entertainment by Hafford's Dukes Under Fire.
The RWF has 85 members and is led by a team of dedicated volunteers as executive, with Glenn Lamontagne as president, Terry Shewchuk as vice-president and Tirzah Reilkoff as secretary-treasurer. Two members instrumental in assisting with planning, organizing and cooking for the event were Tim Stupnikoff and Dave Prystupa. There were also the efforts of members throughout the evening who assisted in the kitchen, attended the raffle and refreshment areas, organized the raffle prizes and many other behind the scenes tasks. It was a great display of teamwork.
The RWF's goal for 2013 is to promote youth participation.
"There is a growing interest in archery," explained Reilkoff, " and with the encouragement of young Riley Yasieniuk, I think the organization will be able to organize something."
The organization has a number of avid youth sports enthusiasts and with continued federation and membership support, Reilkoff believes a bright future lays ahead for its RWF youth membership.
Guests and members were treated to a full course meal that focused on crispy, seasoned, deep fried fish and steak cooked to perfection. There were also hamburgers available.
Reilkoff had a unique way of presenting the awards this year. A slide show combined with an angling or hunt story was presented prior to presenting the member with his/her award by Lamontagne.
The following youth members were recipients of angling awards: Kathryn Naharney for 14 lb 4 oz Northern Pike; Joseph Tanchak for 5 lb 4 oz Walleye; Gavin Naharney for 19 lb 6 oz Northern Pike and Joseph Tanchak for catch and release Sturgeon 19 lb 6 oz. In the ladies category, Tirzah Reilkoff received both the Walleye at 6 lbs 11 oz and the Northern Pike for 18 lbs 1 oz. In the men's category, Dwayne Tanchak received for a 2.3 lb Goldeye, Adam Shewchuk for a 27 lb 2 oz Lake Trout and Tim Stupnikoff for a 20 lb 7 oz Northern Pike.
Youth recipients for big game included Riley Yasieniuk for elk typical measuring 115 7/8; Joseph Tanchak for moose measuring 152 3/8 with Kevin Penner receiving a medallion; Riley Yasieniuk for archery in bear measuring 18 8/16; Joseph Tanchak for mule deer typical measuring 186 7/8 with Kevin Penner receiving a medallion; Riley Yasieniuk for whitetail archery measuring 106 5/8; Kaitlyn Penner for whitetail typical (girls) measuring 104 2/8 and Vince Kohut for whitetail typical measuring 146 0/8 with Joseph Tanchak, Garrett Woytiuk and Kevin Penner receiving medallions.
Adult recipients for big game were Cam Sutherland for moose measuring 166 3/8; Carla Tanchak for mule deer typical measuring 181 6/8; Sarah Shewchuk for mule deer non-typical measuring 207 1/8; Tirzah Reilkoff for whitetail typical measuring 165 5/8; Shirley Markowsky for whitetail non-typical measuring 157 2/8; Brian Yasieniuk for whitetail archery measuring 129 7/8; Dwayne Tanchak for whitetail typical measuring 152 2/8 and Jim Kohut for whitetail non-typical measuring 134 0/8.
Senior awards were presented to Lucian Lamontagne for moose measuring 102 4/8 and whitetail typical measuring 131 7/8.
Boone and Crockett scorer for the Henry Kelsey Association David Pezderic of Asquith was the special guest presenting the Youth Sportsperson of the Year award to Joseph Tanchak and the Adult Sportsperson of the Year to Tirzah Reilkoff.
The evening concluded with local musical entertainment, fellowship and hundreds of raffle prize draws. It was yet another successful event due to the tireless efforts of volunteer members.
