The Athabasca Senior's Centre was filled with hunters of all ages as the Athabasca Fish and Game Association (AFGA) held its 49th annual trophy night and supper April 29. “We had a good turnout, ” said AFGA president Brian Rudyk.
The Athabasca Senior's Centre was filled with hunters of all ages as the Athabasca Fish and Game Association (AFGA) held its 49th annual trophy night and supper April 29.
“We had a good turnout, ” said AFGA president Brian Rudyk. “We had a full house from youngsters to seasoned outdoors people of all age groups. ”
Over 120 people attended the event where the association recognized the accomplishments of its members in the outdoors.
“It's a recognition event for people's success over the season but also people that go above and beyond for conservation efforts and to support and help look after our wildlife and wild places, ” Rudyk said.
Rudyk said the AFGA has seen an increase in the number of younger people and women who are taking an active part in hunting and taking home prizes. The money raised at the supper will sponsor some of its younger members in going to the Narrow Lake Conservation Camp.
Sixteen-year-old Tiana Eleniak is one of the young people in the association who will be sponsored to attend the camp, where she will learn about hunting safety. Eleniak - who began hunting at 13 years old - won the youth division with her black bear submission.
“It was pretty awesome to win it, ” she said.
Tyler Woytovicz won the Henry & Gertrude Scharfenberg memorial award for largest pheasant while Norma Robocon had the highest score ruffed grouse in the senior division.
Brenda Krawec won three awards for the largest northern pike, largest goldeye and the largest whitetail deer in the senior division.
Sage Korth won the Marion Kanarek memorial prize for the largest northern pike in the junior division, Harold Krawec won the Gordon Krawec memorial prize for the larges senior walleye and Cartier Tieulle brought home the largest walleye in the junior division.
Jonathan Rudyk won the prize for largest senior rainbow trout in the senior division, while Marshall Korth won the prize for largest rainbow trout in the junior division. Vance Wolok won the prize for largest perch in the senior division.
Judy Gauthier took home two big game prizes, winning the Hans Birkigt Memorial award for largest moose and bringing in the largest black or brown bear.
Ryan LeMessurier won the Henry & Irene Christensen & Hal Harrison memorial award for the largest elk and Alora Stengram won the Art Miles memorial award for largest whitetail deer in the junior division.
Brian Rudyk took home two archery prizes, winning in the big game open archery category and the moose archery category.
The Long and Narrow Lakes Stewardship Society won the Gordon and Eileen Christensen memorial trophy for conservation, Austin VanSoest won the hunter training trophy, Desmond Nolan won the hunter education trophy and Marcia Woytovicz won the wildlife photography trophy.
Doug Frost of the Long and Narrow Lakes Stewardship Society ;accepts the Conservation Trophy from Greg Woytovich.
Sponsor Mary Gislason presents Austin VanSoest with the Hunter ;Training Award for top mark on the Alberta Conservation and Hunter ;Education Course.
Lois Robocon presents Marcia Woytovich with the Wildlife Photography Award sponsored by the Taron Family.
Trevor Yurchak presents Judy Gauthier with the Hans Birkigt ;Typical Moose Trophy.
Marie Goller of Cheap Seats Sporting Goods presents Ryan ;LeMessurier with the Elk Trophy.
Alora Stengrim receives the 1st. Junior Whitetail Trophy ;presented by Marion Wolak.
The Big Game Open Rifle Trophy is presented to Brenda Krawec by ;Thorel Eymundson sponsored by the Eymundson Family.
Roxanne Rudyk and granddaughter Isabelle Rudyk present the Open ;Archery Trophy sponsored by B&R Sales & Service to Brian Rudyk.
Norma Robocon, sponsor of the Open Youth Trophy, presents to ;winner Tianna Eleniak.
Lois Robocon of Birch Meadow Greenhouses presents Norma Robocon ;with the Sr. Ruffed Grouse Award.
The Kanarek Family present the Jr. Northern Pike trophy to Jakob ;Bury accepting on behalf of winner Sage Korth.
Ken Krawec presents the Gordon Krawec Memorial Sr. Walleye Trophy ;to Harold Krawec.
Greg Crosland Jr. presents the Whispering Hills Fuels Jr. Walleye ;Trophy to Carter Tieullie.
Seth and Eli Knisley present the Sr. Rainbow Trout Trophy to ;Isabelle Rudyk accepting on behalf of her dad, Jonathan Rudyk.
Oscar Elliot accepts the Jr. Rainbow Trout Award on behalf of ;winner Marshall Korth from Derek Woytovich representing sponsor North ;Country Air.
Judy Gauthier of Buy-Low Foods presents Brenda Krawec with the ;Senior Goldeye Award.
Marie Goller presents Cheap Seats Gift Certificates to Seth ;Knisley, Eli Knisley and Isabelle Rudyk for their entries in the Youth ;with Fish Contest sponsored by The Athabasca Fish and Game Association.
Steven Pidzarko accepts a token of appreciation from Greg ;Woytovich recognizing the Pidzarko Family for forty years of support and ;sponsorship for the Athabasca Fish and Game Association.
