More than 30 hunters received trophies during the Ponoka and Fish and Game Association’s awards night.
Held at the Stagecoach Saloon Feb. 4 the full house proved just how many people enjoy the association’s work and what it offers members. Seeing a large membership is something president Evelyne Huseby is proud of.
“We’re a reliable community organization and we have been here a long time,” she said.
Along with a dedicated group of sponsors comes an organization that wants to give back to the community, said Huseby, pointing out there’s events such as the kids’ birdhouse building and camps that are popular to the membership. Ponoka Fish and Game saw just under 900 members last year and heading to this season the group is on track to match those numbers.
For the association, conservation, preservation and user amenities is vital, said Huseby, but keeping a positive relationship with other community groups is an important part of the work.
“We try to make sure that we are neighbour friendly but we also have a good relationship with the RCMP members that help us maintain our compliance,” explained Huseby.
Looking at the last year, Huseby said the association just leased some land by Gull Lake and the process took a relatively short time. She also enjoyed seeing the kids’ camps and horn measuring.
Horn measuring turned out to be a big day for the organization with quite a large number of folks coming in to measure their catches. Huseby was excited to see the number of heads but even more so the large number of youths who came in to show off their trophies.
“That’s the only way we can build up a succession plan,” said Huseby of seeing high youth involvement.
As for the awards night, it featured a meal of game from the season including duck, pheasant and antelope for attendees to try out.
Awards:
Fish, catch and keep: Rainbow Trout, Tom Simpson, 2.16 lbs
Catch and release: Walleye, Greg Abt, 24.5”; Yellow Perch, Ray Abt, 13.0”; Bull Trout, Greg Abt, 18.2”; Rainbow Trout, Greg Abt, 18.6”; Rocky Mountain Whitefish, Greg Abt, 20.0”; Northern Pike, Greg Abt, 30-5”; Cutthroat Trout, Greg Abt, 19.1”; Burbot, Chris Abt, 24.1” and Trout with a Fly, Greg Abt, 19.8”.
Big Game Rifle: Elk, Jeremy Abt, 319 3/8; Mule Deer, Greg Abt, 122 5/8; Antelope, Leonard Davis, 74 11/16; Whitetail, Brian Prins, 169 4/8; Non Typical Whitetail, Chris Abt, 155 6/8; Big Horn Sheep, Shane Jensen, 155; Moose, Brian Rutherford, 172 6/8; Cougar, Logan Rowley, 12 13/16; Non Typical Elk, Cody Rowley, 346 3/8.
Archery: Mule Deer, Brian Prins, 131 2/8, Moose, Brian Walcheske, 116 6/8; Elk, Brian Prins, 274 5/8; Black Bear, Brian Walcheske, 20 11/16; Whitetail, Michael Dudman, 121 7/8 and Cougar, Brad Rowley, 13 14/16.
Junior fish, catch and keep: Rainbow Trout, Tanner Simpson, 2.63 lbs; Northern Pike, Connor Hoag, 8.1 lbs; Burbot, Rhys Davis, 5.28 lbs and Whitefish, Rhys Davis, 3.06 lbs.
Catch and release: Walleye, Johnny Prinns, 22.5”
Junior Big Game Rifle: Whitetail, Maison Senft, 135 3/8.