BONNYVILLE - It’s a night spent celebrating more than just hunting and fishing, it’s about recognizing a community.
For Beaver River Fish and Game (BRFG) Association president Cynthia Pawliuk, their annual awards night on Saturday, Feb. 1 was an opportunity to fundraise, acknowledge, and mark another season come and gone.
“This is our 32nd (awards night), which is really nice because not a lot of clubs get to get that far,” she said.
Dozens of hunting, fishing, and outdoor photography enthusiasts gathered at the BRFG Building to commemorate the season and its bounty.
For some, that came in the form of a trophy, while for others it was indulging in some of the wild game hunted and shared as part of the meal.
Pawliuk said regardless of whether your weapon of choice is a bow and arrow, firearm, fishing rod, or camera, your efforts are worth noting.
“We recognize all of our outdoorsmen, regardless of whether you hunt, fish, or enjoy photography,” Pawliuk exclaimed, adding their members are much more than the sport they partake in.
“We’re all voices in the province to let the government know and for people to know that we’re stewards of the land. We want to protect the land and we have a voice for anyone who wants to take pictures, pick berries, we want to keep our public lands open to the public. We work really hard at that.”
Long-time member of the association Cy Hallett’s name can be found on numerous trophies this year. He was awarded the top archery whitetail deer, the JR Ward Memorial Trophy - Canada Goose, adult wildlife photo award, and best trail cam photo.
Even though he was one of this year’s most collective outdoorsmen, he said it’s not really about the recognition.
“It’s just getting outside and doing it. It doesn’t matter if you get big trophies.”
Pawliuk noted in some cases where they received no entries for certain categories, such as archery elk and ladies whitetail, their members just simply couldn’t carve out the time.
“A lot of people are off working and have other things going on, so getting out to hunt is sometimes a treat,” she explained.
Claiming this year’s master fisher award was youth member Lane Babb. He also left the night with his name etched into the youth lake trout and youth northern pike trophies.
Leo Paquin claimed the master hunter award, and Walter Shutter walked away as the year’s master archer.
Pawliuk encouraged those who may not have submitted their bounties for this year’s awards to consider it the next time around, because the information gathered is utilized by more than just the club.
“We like to see what comes in and who’s harvesting what. What it also does for our Fish and Wildlife people too, is it’s data for them. They can come and see different animals harvested in different areas, what they look like, what their growth is like, and we have the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) here, which is one of the most important diseases we have to try to stop. We want to be able to stop it in its tracks, because it’s getting further and further,” Pawliuk detailed.
Hallett said it’s good to see so many youth getting involved in the association.
“That’s why we push the youth fishing and hunting awards. The youth are the future, they’re the ones that have to look after where conservation and hunting and fishing in Alberta is going to go,” he expressed.
There’s a common misconception about becoming a member of the BRFG. While some may believe that you have to be an avid hunter, angler, or photographer, that’s far from the truth, stressed Pawliuk.
In fact, the BRFG opens their doors to everyone.
“It’s nice to have a different voice and different aspects and views on things. It’s actually nice to have, because it’s not just all about hunting and fishing. We have sensitive issues about the environment too. If we don’t have environment, we don’t have the other ones, we have to protect it all,” stated Pawliuk.
As they were handing out the awards, Pawliuk took a moment to recognize someone who has been in their ranks for decades: Gordon Poirier.
The former BRFG association president was touched as they presented him a unique gift for all of his years serving the group.
“This is unexpected. I’ve worked with a lot of great people, it’s not just me,” he told the room.
In the end, the evening is about celebrating more than just a successful season, said Hallett.
“It’s our one night of the year where we showcase and raise money for the club, and it’s not just about hunting and fishing. This building supports the Girl Guides, the Scouts, all youth groups get to use it for free. This money is going to the community, not just hunting and fishing.”
He added, “It’s one of the few times of the year where we get to showcase what we do. This is a humane sport, we do it for conservation as well as getting organic meat on your table.”
Meagan MacEachern, Bonnyville Nouvelle
RESULTS:
Youth Walleye: Isaac Williams and Alexa Rice
Youth Rainbow Trout: Clementine Thomson
Youth Brooke Trout: Ryder Gallant
Youth Perch: Barrie Hooper
Youth Lake Trout: Lane Babb
Youth Northern Pike: Lane Babb
Youth Whitetail Deer: Spencer Lobe
Youth Archery Black Bear: Spencer Lobe
Youth Moose: Damica Tremblay
Lake Trout: Shae Gallant
Rainbow Trout: Jean-Guy Tremblay
Northern Pike: Shae Gallant
Whitetail Deer: Leo Paquin
Moose: Todd Chacula
Elk: Shae Gallant
Mule Deer: Morris Kolody
Archery Mule Deer: Walter Shutter
Archery Whitetail Deer: Cy Hallett
JR Ward Memorial Trophy - Canada Goose: Cy Hallett
Master Fisher: Lane Babb
Master HUnter: Leo Paquin
Master Archery: Walter Shutter
CJ Hutchinson Memorial: Nicholas Tremblay
Youth Wildlife Photo and Youth Scenic Photo: Barrie Hooper
Adult Wildlife and Trail Cam Photo: Cy Hallett
Adult Scenic Photo: Shae Gallant
