      The Sturgis branch of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation honoured avid hunters and fishermen at the annual banquet and trophy night on April 16. The event was hosted at the Sturgis Community Hall with Rob Wilcott, president, welcoming everyone to the supper and awards presentations.
           The supper menu included: smoked turkey, pork loin, beef roast, sweet and sour venison meat balls, perogies, mashed potatoes, cabbage rolls, salads and skor/blueberry trifle. Irene's Catering was responsible for preparing the meal.
           Rob Wilcott acknowledged executive members and gave a report on the organization’s activities for the past year. He introduced the guest speaker, Ron Waugh, a conservation officer.
           There were bucket raffles, games and a silent auction.
           Tammy Wenc won the women’s walleye award for her entry that weighed 7.2 pounds.
           Keith Harde won the tiger trout award for his entry that weighed 3.6 pounds. He also won the rainbow trout award for an entry that weighed 2.3 pounds.
           Alex Barsby won the men's northern pike award. His entry weighed 20.7 pounds.            Betty Lou Skogen won the yellow perch award for her entry that weighed 1.1 pounds.
           Harold Barillo won the best brooke trout award for his entry that weighed 1.1 pound.
Larry Skogen won the men’s walleye award for an entry that weighed 4.10 pounds.
Brynn Babiuk won the youth walleye award with a 9.3-pound fish and the youth northern pike award for an entry weighing 25.7 pounds.
Kaiden Masley won the youth perch award with an entry weighing 1.7 pounds.
Mason Babiuk won the small mouth bass award for 4.7-pound entry.
Michelle Chupik won the bear award for an entry that measured 20 4/16 inches. She also won the women’s typical mule deer award with an entry that scored 151 6/8points.
Andrew Chupik won the non-typical mule deer award with an entry that scored 189 7/8 points. He also won the Canada goose award with a bird weighing 12.10 pounds.
Dennis Michaluk won the typical mule deer award with an entry that scored 159 7/8 points.
Christie Stefanowich won the moose award with an entry that scored 175 7/8 points.
Travis Mentanko won the elk award with an entry that scored 357 3/8 points.
Perry Keller won the archery elk award for an entry that scored 294 points.
Mitchell Meroniuk won the non-typical white-tailed deer award with an entry that scored 168 2/8 points.
Ashton Langille won the women’s typical white-tailed deer award with an entry that scored 141 5/8 points.
Chris Walker won the typical white-tailed deer award for an entry that scored 158 7/8 points.
Bo Babiuk won the junior archery typical white-tailed deer award with an entry that scored 133 6/8 points.
Carter Masley won the junior male typical white-tailed deer award with an entry that scored 133 2/8 points.
Kacie Meroniuk won the junior female typical white-tailed deer award with an entry that scored 138 6/8 points.
Shae Peterson was acknowledged as a first-time hunter and received a medal.
A dance concluded the evening with the James Williams band providing the entertainment.
Members of the 2016 SWF branch executive include: Rob Wilcott, president; Alan Carlson, vice-president and membership chairperson; Daniel Wasylenchuk, secretary/treasurer; Kelly Masley, awards chairman; and Shirley Barsby and Russell Walker, fundraising chairs. Directors are: Tom Babchishin, Aaron Bartch, Mervin Blender, Terry Hancock, Bert Suknasky, Myles Zawislak and Clint Zubko.
