STURGIS - The Sturgis branch of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation hosted its 47th annual banquet awards night on April 5 at the Sturgis Community Hall.
The banquet portion was catered to by Charlotte Chernyk and featured ham, breaded basa fillets, moose meatballs, venison sausage, mashed potatoes, gravy, perogies, cabbage rolls, vegetables and assorted desserts.
Rob Wilcott, president, was the master of ceremonies for the evening. “Tonight, we show recognition and appreciation to hunting and angling excellence,” said Wilcott. “With the cooperation of the Preeceville and Lintlaw branches, we are focusing on the rejuvenation project of Schutte Lake aeration system. The Schutte Lake project has been approved by central office and we are waiting for a new contract for the land where the building and campgrounds are situated. Central office is also in the process of hiring a new fisheries rep for the project.”
“This past year, the Sturgis branch has donated $500 towards a scholarship at the Sturgis Composite High School. The right of usage agreement with the Assiniboine Gun Club expires in December 2025 and we are also in the last year of the land lease agreement with Peniuk Farms, said Wilcott.
Guest speakers were conservation officer Nathan Dutchak and Matthew Tokaruk, Fish and Wildlife Branch, Ministry of Environment Biologist. Dutchak was accompanied by Darren Henry, Conservation Officer, Preeceville branch. They discussed the wolf and bear issues as well as big game issues.
Trophy presentations were made by Kelly Masley, awards chairman, assisted by Rob Wilcott, president.
Students from Sturgis Elementary in Grades 1-6 were acknowledged for their winning entries in the wildlife club’s poster contest. Grade 1 winners, Cruz Russell, Sophia Boyko, Chance Will and Bentley Lario; Grade 2, Sophia Storoschuk, Lexi Keller, Aiden Chupik and Bohdan Wolfmueller; Grade 3, Blake Beatty, Will Prestie, Dawson Serdachny, Xage Babiarz; Grade 4, Aria Foster, Cruz Jaeb, Shankh Chawla, Dylan Terrenal; Grade 5, Erza Parreno, Lakyl Seerey, Lindy Romanchuk, Kiara Poworoznyk-Bates; and Grade 6, Maycee Johnson, Amelia Maier, Yanni Temonia and Austin Jansen.
Big Game
- Kylie Babiuk on the women’s moose award, 106 4/8 points;
- Kaiden Masley won the men’s non-typical mule deer award, 174 6/8 points and the men’s typical whitetail deer, 157 5/8 points;
- Carter Masley won the men’s typical mule deer, 181 2/8 points;
- Cole Masley won the youth typical mule deer, 149 4/8 points;
- Bo Babiuk won the men’s non-typical white tail deer, 176 7/8 points;
- Anna Maria Wilcott won the women’s typical whitetail deer, 146 7/8 points;
- Hunter Modeland won the youth typical white tail deer, 93 5/8 and received a first time hunter award;
- Andrew Chupik won the best men’s archery moose, 100 0/8 points, the men’s archery mule deer, 125 2/8 points and the largest black bear in Saskatchewan award for his entry, 20 15/16 points;
- Colin Pasiechnik won the men’s typical muzzleloader white tail deer, 168 4/8 points; and
- Brynn Babiuk received the women’s typical archery mule deer, 149 2/8 points.
Fish Awards
- Bo Babiuk won the best men’s walleye, 10 lbs., 7 ounces;
- Theresa Chupik won the women’s walleye, 9 lbs., 1 ounce;
- Bracyn Konkel won the youth walleye, 5 lbs., 11 ounces;
- Jaxson Kurytnik, youth northern pike,14 lbs., 4 ounces;
- Rodney Blender, best men’s perch, 11 ounces;
- Allie Babiuk, best youth perch, 1 lb., 2 ounces;
- Conrad Peterson, men’s lake trout, 26 lbs., 4 ounces;
- Drae Peterson won the youth lake trout, 24 lbs.,4 ounces and the youth small mouth bass, 3 lbs.1 ounce; and
- Tracy Strand, women’s brown trout, 5 lbs, 8 ounces.
The evening concluded with bucket draws and a dance.
Executive members are: Rob Wilcott, president; Ashten Walker, vice-president; Daniel Wasylenchuk, secretary and treasurer; Russell Walker, membership chairman; Kelly Masley, awards chairman; and fundraising chairs were Ashten Walker and Russell Walker. Directors are Mervin Blender, Bert Suknasky, Chris Walker, Myles Zawislak, Clint Zubko, Brent Strand, Tracy Strand and Alex Barsby.
