ESTEVAN - The Estevan Wildlife Federation saluted hunters, anglers and photographers for their success during the past year during the annual awards banquet Saturday night at the Estevan Exhibition Hall.
Trophies were handed out to the first-place finishers in each category, while those who finished second and third received certificates.
In the birds' division, Kade Skuce was first in sharptail grouse at two pounds, four ounces, and for Canada goose (13 pounds, six ounces). Murray Mosley took top spot in ruffed grouse (one pound, 5.4 ounces); snow goose (five pounds, 12 ounces); and white-fronted goose (six pounds, 10 ounces). Dave Clark had the top mallard duck (three pounds, one ounce), and Brent Olfert was first for pheasant with a total of 66 3/8, thanks to a score of 41 bars and 25 3/8 inches tail length.
Mosley swept the fish categories, finishing first for largest perch (one pound, six ounces), largemouth bass (four pounds, 10 ounces) and walleye (six pounds, nine ounces).
Most of the awards were for big game. In the archery division, Garry Leslie had the top-scoring typical whitetail deer at 125. He also won bowhunter of the year for the highest aggregate score of 190 between his typical mule deer and typical whitetail deer.
Other archery award winners were Jayden Van De Woestyne, non-typical whitetail deer (154 7/8); Kelly Pastachak, typical mule deer (171 5/8); Cameron Donovan, non-typical mule deer (206 2/8); and Jerry Michalski, typical elk (175 1/8).
In junior rifle, winners were Ryder Mutrie, typical whitetail deer (150 4/8), and Kaylynn Katsantonis, non-typical whitetail deer (141 3/8).
In women's rifle, Lynn Johnson had the top whitetail deer (150 2/8), typical mule deer (171 1/8) and typical elk (221 6/8). Other winners were Tara Katsantonis, non-typical whitetail deer (141 6/8); Jaymee Tessier, antelope (75 2/8); Lindsay Dyer, moose (156 2/8); and Kristen Carlson, black bear (20 15/16).
Men's rifle trophy winners were Brad Zukewich, typical whitetail deer (180 1/8), Sam Meek, non-typical whitetail deer (151 7/8); Blaine Stropko, typical mule deer (175); Brayden Katsantonis, non-typical mule deer (177 4/8); Vaughn Bourassa, typical elk (184 7/8); Kelly Pastachak, moose (172 5/8); Brady Plummer, black bear (20 13/16); and Perry Holmgren, antelope (75).
Photography awards went to Lena Hayward for junior scenic and junior wildlife, Nichole Maisonneuve (senior scenic) and Mary Jacobs (senior wildlife). Jacobs also won the Photo of the Year award.
EWF president Wanda Michel MCed the event and noted they were down in entries for the junior categories. She acknowledged it was tough to get young people hunting due to the current trespassing laws in the province. If people have concerns or ideas regarding the legislation, she encouraged them to approach the EWF, because they would like to take them forward and find solutions.
If someone has fish to be weighed in, they can contact Joshua Michel or Murray Mosley regarding the weigh scales. Pheasant entries were also down this year, even though she said there are a lot of pheasants out there.
She was pleased with the number of photography entries this year.
"I am really proud to say more young people are out there taking pictures, and more people in general are out there. We got to see some really great examples of some of the work that our members are doing."
Michel believes it's "really inspiring" for the EWF to see the work of the photographers.
She also thanked the volunteers, not only with the club but those who help make the events possible. She also lauded the executive for their efforts throughout the year.
"They ensure that we have good habitat to hunt in, we have good bodies of water for us to fish in," said Michel.
