On April 21, 2012, the Wawota Wildlife Federation awards and supper was held at Kennedy Hall, since the one in Wawota is being renovated. A fun-filled evening for the entire family saw a delicious ham and scalloped potato meal served, finishing with some delicious desserts. Draws throughout the night for many door prizes were done. These prizes were both donated by local businesses and bought by the Wawota Wildlife Federation.
The Wawota Wildlife Federation has been operating since 1968. A year after, in 1969, they held their first awards night and have been going ever since. About 70 people were in attendance for the awards and to enjoy the great meal that was prepared.
The club now boasts about 600 members every year. These are pulled in from across Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, and the United States. To win awards one must be a member of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation in Wawota and submit entries.
Despite the large numbers that are members "People are just not putting entries in." said Coralee Brehaut, an active member.
The Wawota Wildlife Federation holds meetings every third Tuesday. Entries for the awards must be put in by February 15th each year, but don't be discouraged as if you go ice fishing and catch one after this date it qualifies for the next year's round.
Winners of the big game awards:
Typical Whitetail Deer - Blaine Lamontagne
Non-typical Whitetail Deer - Aron White
Typical Mule Deer - Dennis Fisk
Non-typical Mule Deer - Robert Thiesen
Typical Whitetail Deer Junior Big Game - Mitchell Porter
Winners of the fish awards:
Men's Winter Walleye - Don Munroe
Men's Winter Perch - Wayne Stender
Men's Winter Northern Pike - Wayne Huzina
Special Fish Men Burbot - Wayne Huzina
Junior Summer Northern Pike - Wyatt Fisk
Women's Winter Northern Pike - Rosalie Huzina
Women's Winter Perch - Lila Stender
Special Fish Women Burbot - Rosalie Huzina
Winners of the bird awards:
Snow Goose - Doug Hague
Canada Goose - Jared Martin
Moose - Kevin Monroe
Duck - Jared Martin
Most Magpies - Chris Hague
The Predator Control Award went to Gary Wyporowich.
Both Marie Clements and Coralee Brehaut brought home the award for Primitive Weapon having used muzzleloaders to take down a mule deer. This tie was because they took down the same deer, having worked together.
Awards for Ladies Best Big Game, Elk, Antelope, Bear, Archery, and Heaviest Raccoon all had no entries.
The big award of the night, the Member of the Year Award, which is given out to someone who participates and is involved in the events hosted throughout the year. The honoured member was Brittany Fisk, someone who attends all events and is a camp counselor at the Wawota Wildlife Federations summer camp.
After having displayed various photos taken by members votes were tallied to establish winners for best photograph of birds (3 entries), still life (3 entries), scenic (4 entries), wildlife (5 entries), and overall. Birds went to Marie Clements. Rosalie Huzina won for the best still life. Scenic went to Alan Brehaut. Alan was doing well in the night as he and Coralee Brehaut, wife, tied in taking home the best wildlife photo. The best overall photo of the night went to Alan Brehaut for his scenic shot. The winning photos will also be sent into the provincial convention for the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation to compete against other photographs across Saskatchewan. And the $50 draw for all photo entries went to Alan Brehaut.
The night was a great success, which was enjoyed by everyone.
If any young members of the Wawota Wildlife Federation, between 10 and 14 years old, would like to participate in the Youth Camp they can contact Erin Gardiner. For $20 they are able to have three days of fun focused on canoeing, fishing, firing .22's, shotguns, learning archery and basic survival skills. It will be held on the edge of Wawota, July 17, 18, and 19 of this year. Some of the previous youth that have attended the camp are now the councilors and greatly enjoy their time out there.
