The River Ridge Fish and Game League handed out awards to members who excelled during the past year at the 30th annual banquet and awards night on March 2 at Rainbow Hall in Canora, including multiple wins at provincial SWF (Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation) competitions.
Kathy Thomas, president and emcee, thanked all those who helped prepare for the evening’s festivities.
The theme, as indicated on the program, was “Our mission is to ensure the wildlife legacy we leave to our children surpasses that which we inherited.”
Robin Ludba, outgoing trophy chairperson, remarked that it was an unusual year, since some categories had numerous entries while others had none. Two of those winners went on to win provincial SWF championships: Brent Danylko (sauger) and Kailey Sleeva (junior walleye catch and release.)
Zoe Thomas won the junior sportsperson of the year after bringing down a spike white-tail buck and finishing second by 5/8 of an inch with a typical mule deer buck which she shot with a bow.
Big Game
The River Ridge awards for big game went to: Roseanne Heshka, women’s white-tailed deer, 109 inches; Ally Sleeva, junior white-tailed deer, 147 6/8 inches; Clint Kraynick, typical white-tailed deer, 144 inches; Rachel Kraynick, typical mule deer, 156 1/8 inches; Bryan Hermanson, non-typical mule deer muzzleloader, 166 inches; Neal Matechuk, elk, 273 7/8 inches, and Damon Paley, moose, 166 inches.
Fish
In the fish category, the awards went to: Brad Thompson, walleye catch and release, 14 pounds, three ounces, and walleye aggregate, 34 pounds, 14 ounces; Brent Danylko, sauger, four pounds, six ounces; Sharon Ripa, burbot, eight pounds, five ounces, and women’s walleye catch and release, 11 pounds, one ounce; Tammy Danylko, women’s catch and release northern pike, 16 pounds, 12 ounces; and Kailey Sleeva, junior walleye catch and release, 12 pounds, 12 ounces.
Photography
Attendees were encouraged to view the photographs on display and vote for their favourites which had been entered in the photo contest.
Ashley Lockert captured the award for scenic photography. Brent Danylko took home first place in wildlife photography and his daughter Courtney was the winner in junior photography.
Menu items for the banquet included: Roast beef and horseradish, beef meatballs, Chalupiak’s salami, cabbage rolls, baked perogies and mashed potatoes and gravy.
Member were reminded that River Ridge Fish and Game will be hosting the sixth annual Gun Show on June 8 and 9.
