Whether looking down a scope, or casting out a line, hunters and anglers all take pride in the fruits of their labour.
On Saturday, Feb. 3, the Beaver River Fish and Game (BRFG) Association hosted their annual Trophy and Awards Night, where local fish and hunting enthusiasts enjoyed celebrating eachother's success over the last year.
Cynthia Pawliuk, president of the BRFG, believes it's important to take the time to recognize a bountiful hunting season.
“This is our 30th awards night,” expressed Pawliuk. “It's a great way for people to come out and enjoy the harvest... It gets people out and aware of what conservation is and what hunting and fishing are all about. That's kind of what we (BRFG) are. We're out there to protect what there is, but we're also out there to learn and teach kids and adults all about hunting and fishing.”
Award categories vary between hunting and fishing prey.
This year, Tyler Thomson accepted the award for master hunter, while Kevin Walters took home the title of master fish.
The BRFG accept submissions for the awards throughout the year.
“What we generally do in the first week of December, we have our annual horn measuring night. Everyone brings in their whitetail, mule deer, moose, and antelope. We score it and that's where we get our big game animal awards,” Pawliuk explained.
Fish are scored throughout the year and are recorded at the various lakes within the MD.
“We go through those in December and we find out who had the biggest fish in certain categories,” continued Pawliuk.
The night also includes awards for five photography categories.
Overall, it's the support of local hunting and fishing enthusiasts that keeps the spirit of the event, and the association, alive, along with “very important” volunteers, Pawliuk noted.
“We have a very big outdoors community. We have a lot of people who love the outdoors and who love to take their kids outdoors. There are a lot of fishermen and hunters here... There are a lot of people who are nature lovers,” Pawliuk said about why they see so much support year after year.
Alberta Fish and Game Association President Doug Butler expressed the importance of local fish and game organizations.
He said, “They're very important. We have 25,000 members throughout the province, but every one of them has their own identity.”
