Editors Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly identified the organization Athabasca Fish and Wildlife Association partnered with to purchase equipment for Narrow Lake Conservation Camp. The correct organization is the Wabamun Gun Club.
ATHABASCA — The 2023 Athabasca Fish and Wildlife Association’s (AFGA) trophy scoring banquet was a success on all fronts, according to association president Greg Crosland.
Held in the Athabasca Regional Multiplex’s field house the evening of March 23, the dinner paid homage to this hunting season’s best catches and kills with awards in 26 categories.
“Without the generous volunteers and the sponsors, this night would not be possible. This really helps send kids to camp for outdoor pursuits,” said Crosland.
“It really furthers the traditional sports of the outdoors, and also it helps bring kids into the outdoor pursuits that may not have had that chance before.”
Crosland said in addition to sending six kids to Narrow Lake Conservation Camp, the association funded a new outfitters tent, complete with a wooden base for sleeping, and purchased a second tent in conjunction with the Wabamun Gun Club.
Efforts to rebuild the existing kitchen at the camp have also been the subject of much fundraising and volunteer efforts and remain a priority for the association.
“Because it is right in our backyard, we really go out of our way to try to support (it),” added Crosland.
This year's banquet featured the usual aspects: a live auction with ‘golden ticket’ gift certificates up for grabs, as well as a silent auction featuring items like outdoor necessities, a beaver hide, and even a shiny shotgun shell wreath.
A video collage put together by Lois Robocon highlighted an entire year of local outdoor experiences and preceded the award portion of the night. Some 175 outdoor enthusiasts were in attendance, a number Crosland said is still climbing in the wake of the pandemic.
“Before COVID, we were up around the 250 mark. With most small-town service clubs, everyone suffered, but we’re striving to come back,” said Crosland.
“It’s hard in a small town to try and make an evening that’s not a bonspiel, that’s not a hockey tournament, that’s not a soccer tournament, that’s not calving season.”
Big game
In all, 26 awards were handed out to a wide range of association members, with 11 in the big game category.
Hans Birkigt Memorial for senior Moose: Ryan Knisley, 107 1/8
Alex Krawec Memorial for junior Moose: Jake Safar, 131 0/8
Henry and Irene Christensen and Hal Harrison Memorial for Elk: Garth Gauthier, 302 5/8
Senior typical Whitetail: Melanie Crosland, 143 7/8
Art Miles Memorial for first junior Whitetail: Mikah Burger, 159 0/8
Second junior Whitetail: Anna Jalbert, 126 5/8
Peter Pidzarko Memorial for typical Mule deer: Greg Crosland, 123 7/8
Open Season
Black or brown bear: Zachary Crosland, 18 11/16
Open rifle: Mikah Burger, 159 0/8, whitetail deer
Open archery: Lois Robocon, 186 0/8, elk
Youth open big game: Zachary Crosland, 18 11/16, black bear
Birds
Senior Ruffed Grouse: Greg Crosland, 0.79 kilograms
Junior Ruffed Grouse: Samuel Kanarek, 0.73 kilograms
Spruce Grouse: Mark Bauer, 0.58 kilograms
Canada Goose: Zach Davis, 4.78 kilograms
Fish
Gerry Williams Memorial for senior Northern Pike: Brenda Krawec, 105 centimetres
Marion Kanarek Memorial for junior Northern Pike: Jake Safar, 98 centimetres
Gordon Krawec Memorial for senior Walleye: Marty Gorski, 74 centimetres
Junior Walleye: Jake Safar 72.5 centimetres
Whitefish: Zerrick Wolak 35 centimetres
Junior Rainbow Trout: Abigail Crosland, 48.5 centimetres
Senior Perch: Brian Rudyk, 37 centimetres
Dan Peredery Memorial for junior Perch: Kayden Wolak, 30.2 centimetres
Photos
Ruby and Bert Taron Memorial for wildlife: Lois Robocon, owl in flight
Ruby and Bert Taron Memorial for scenery: Hannah Wolak, monochrome beach
Youth photo fishing contest: Zachary Crosland, Kayden Wolak, Abigail Crosland, Marshall Korth, Eli Knisley, Seth Knisley, Zerrick Moye, Elisha Crosland, Isabelle Rudyk, Jake Safar and Logan Crosland.
Training
Gisli Gislason Memorial for hunter training: Mia Jodry, 90 per cent
No entries
No entries were submitted for the conservation trophy, hunter education, non-typical whitetail deer, non-typical mule deer, bighorn sheep/antelope, moose archery, sharptail grouse, mallard duck, pheasant, artic grayling, senior rainbow trout, and both senior and junior goldeye.
