Hunting and fishing are both popular pastimes engaged in by many within southeast Saskatchewan. Ensuring wildlife thrives, while encouraging safe hunting practices the Moose Mountain Wildlife Federation is dedicated to conservation.
Active for the past 13 years the local Wildlife Federation has had an impact on the area. Having bought various parcels of land in the area they hope to maintain strong populations of wildlife.
"It's important to maintain the land because farmers are often tearing out bushes, emptying sloughs, and changing the landscape," Clay Chapman, current Moose Mountain Wildlife Federation president, explained.
Though landscapes are continually changed due to anthropogenic means it is important for some areas to be maintained for wildlife to flourish in their natural habitat.
Related to sustaining wildlife in the area the Moose Mountain Wildlife Federation is determined to help the white tail deer population. In this area one simply has to buy a licence for white tail, while draws must be done for both moose and elk; however, Chapman explained this was acceptable when there were large numbers of white tail deer in the area, but this is no longer the case.
This past hunting season saw many people who regularly purchase a licence refrain from doing so because they recognized how critical the white tail population is currently. Thus, when members of the local Wildlife Federation attend the annual provincial meeting in Moose Jaw between Feb. 13 and 15 one of their intentions is to speak with government representatives to change the procedures for procuring a white tail licence next hunting season.
This will hopefully allow the population to bounce back following harsh winters, which Chapman said is a main cause for the low population this past year.
This year the Moose Mountain Wildlife Federation will continue to stock trout ponds like the one just west of Carlyle off of Hwy 13 as well as participating in the release of nearly 200 pheasants to the area, which they have been doing for a number of years. These practices are to help foster the growth of the populations, while ensuring fishing and hunting is still ecologically friendly.
In addition to their continual dedication to conservation the Moose Mountain Wildlife Federation is focusing on bringing archery to the South East School Division in 2014.
"School divisions up north already have an archery program," Chapman stated. "We'd like to see it in the schools down here."
Archery in the area has seen increased interest with youth like Spencer Vogel of Stoughton who participates in competitions.
In order to bring archery to the schools in the area, however, instructors are needed and Chapman explained an interest of approximately 10 individuals from Carlyle and the surrounding towns who would be interested in becoming instructors.
Nets and bows have been purchased recently and after instructors have gone through a course the pilot program out of Carlyle will commence. If successful Chapman said the nets and bows which were purchased could then be cycled through the schools as needed, eventually with each school getting their own equipment.
The Wildlife Federation's club house in Arcola will also house a small archery range for youth, accompanied by a certified instructor, to be introduced to archery and practice.
As with the initiative to introduce archery to the area, members of the Moose Mountain Wildlife Federation enjoy taking people out to fish during the free fishing weekend in the summer. Though numbers in the past few years have dwindled, Chapman explained that this year the local Wildlife Federation will encourage the weekend more as they like to introduce people to the great recreational activity.These fishing days usually coalesce in a fish fry as those who attend are able to taste what they've caught.
In order for the local Wildlife Federation to continue its conservation and youth programs they hold a large dinner and auction fundraiser in April. This year the event will take place on April 5th where raffles, door prizes, silent auction items, and live auction items are all donated by local businesses and individuals.
This includes the coveted prize of a choice of one firearm between three options through the ping pong ball draw. Approximately 12 ping pong balls are sold in an auction. The ping pong ball gives the buyer a chance at winning the firearm as ping pong balls are slowly drawn out of a bucket, with the last ball in the bucket matching one of the auctioned balls and thus dubbing a winner.
Currently the Moose Mountain Wildlife Federation is also selling Arcola Optimist tickets for the draw held during the Optimist's annual snowmobile rally. The money raised through selling the tickets is then given back to the organizations who volunteer to sell the tickets for the Optimist's.
This money raised is then specifically allocated to youth groups and camps in need within the area Chapman explained.
Always interested in the community and getting youth involved in conservation and conscientious hunting practices, as well as simply providing youth with opportunities the Moose Mountain Wildlife Federation is looking forward to another successful year.
