The Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF), Preeceville branch hosted its annual general meeting and antler measuring on January 5 at the Preeceville Community Hall.
Blair Mitchell was the official antler measurer.
There were eight white tail, four mule deer, two elk, and two moose brought in for measurement.
Following the antler measuring, the club hosted an annual general meeting. The meeting was overseen by Owen Myhr, club president, and focused on reports by the president, chairmen, and treasurer.
Myhr reported that with the fairly mild winter, the wildlife populations should be having a good year.
"Our area has a good abundance of wildlife lands, which is very important as more and more “No Hunting” signs are going up on private land. If there is any land for sale that you feel would make good wildlife lands, get in touch with our club so we can work with the SWF to look into it further and save some habitat for wildlife.
"We as wildlife members must practise wildlife conservation and report illegal activities," said Myhr. "Our club is looking into helping out the conservation officers with a Rural Wildlife Watch and if anyone is interested in being a part of this, please get in touch with myself or someone on the club to have your name included,” he stated.
"Our annual banquet is our main fundraiser and the funds raised go to various projects. This past year those projects included: new signs at the Preeceville Wildlife Campground and updated the showers, Sturgis Archery large target donation, Preeceville Lions trail groomer donation, Habitat Trust donation, Hannin Creek Conservation Camp donation, Sturgis Gun Range, Fish In Schools Program, fish release party, 606 Harvard Air Cadets female marksmanship award, and the sponsorship of Hudsyn Nelson and Lyndon Gawrelitza to go to Hanin Creek Conservation Camp.
The club held a local artwork contest with prizes awarded for winning entries. Winners of rods and reels were: Keane Balyski for Grade 6; Paje Reynolds, Grade 5, and Saphira Anaka, Grade 4. The artwork was sent on to head office for regional judging and placing in the top three was Hallie Petryshyn.
Membership Chairman Tony Steckiuk reported that membership is up this year with 492 members which has increased from 469. He discussed the benefits of membership and the insurance that comes with it and indicated that more detailed information is available at the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation website.
Firearm safety chairman Norman Johnson reported that 34 students took the course this year and another course will be hosted around the first part of April. Those interested in doing the federal course should get in touch with him to make arrangements.
Habitat chairman Eugene Panasiewich reported the habitat shack is closed this year on orders from head office because there are no buyers for the hides.
Campground chairman Greg Gawrelitza reported that everyone must have seen the new signs on the entrances to the town that were done by Allan Happy Signs and there were more done in the campground. The showers have been updated with donated tiles and equipment by Jesse Nelson. There was some vandalism at the bathrooms this year which led to the bathrooms being closed unless there are campers on the grounds.
"Thank you to caretaker Les Braithwaite for always doing a great job and this year we had Eric Prestie, a young cadet, volunteer some hours to help with cleanup which was much appreciated,” said Gawrelitza.
"We also want to thank the Fairburn family for the memorial donations in memory of Roy and they have asked for a mural to be painted in Roy’s memory at the grounds. Roy took great pride in the campgrounds and planted trees around the park.
“We are always in need of volunteers and have some wood to get moved this year, tinning the roofs, and power line maintenance to do this year," concluded Gawrelitza.
Heather Gawrelitza, club secretery gave a report on Hannin Creek Camp. She extended messages of appreciation from Hudsyn Nelson and Lyndon Gawrelitza, who were sponsored by the club for camp and told about some of the things they did at camp. She also thanked the boys for helping at the kids games for the fish release party and for doing a raffle table at the town-wide garage sale which helped raise funds for them to attend camp.
Kelly Maupin, trophy chairman gave a reminder about the club's email which is preecevillewildlife@hotmail.com to enter fish and bird entries.
Conservation Officer Johnny Petryshyn spoke about the local area and importance of calling to the TIPS Hotline to report illegal activity.
“Officers find it hard to be everywhere, which is why the Rural Wildlife Watch could assist with patrolling our area, especially in the peak season,” stated Petryshyn. “Chronic Wasting Disease has been discovered in Zone 39 and our area isn’t getting enough heads in for testing in order to do a real quality check.”
Nominations were called with the following positions being held for 2019 by: Owen Myhr, president; Darcy Rediger, vice president; Heather Gawrelitza, secretary/treasurer; Shane Nelson, fisheries chairman; Tony Steciuk, membership chairman; Eugene Panasiewich, habitat chairman; Norman Johnson, firearm safety chairman; Kelly Maupin and Colin Masko, trophy chairs and Greg Gawrelitza, campground chairman.
Directors include: Dylan Myhr, Mark Tonn, James Bodnar, John Masko, Allan Bodnar, Howard Bilan, Alex Nagy, Gerald Ignatiuk, Taylor Sliva, Jeff Jakubowski, Justin Jakubowski, and Arden Jakubowski.
Lifetime members include: Orville Bjornstad, Howard Bilan, Peter Predy, and a new nomination this past year was Norman Johnson.
Rebecca Eberts, fisheries biologist was the special guest speaker and gave a presentation on why the club needs to work together now to protect our trout fishing at Lady Lake.
