STURGIS — The Sturgis branch of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation celebrated hunting and angling achievements at its 48th annual banquet and awards night April 18.
The event, held at the Sturgis Community Hall, featured a meal catered by Charlotte Chernyk and the Sturgis Wildlife Club, including ham, breaded basa fillets, moose meatballs, venison sausage, mashed potatoes, gravy, perogies, cabbage rolls, vegetables and assorted desserts.
Rob Wilcott, president, served as master of ceremonies. “Tonight, we show recognition and appreciation to hunting and angling excellence,” said Wilcott. “Every year, Weyerhaeuser recognizes its safety drivers with an award, and this year Dwayne Pasiechnik chose to donate the cash prize to the Sturgis Wildlife Club Schutte Lake project.
"In December 2025, we negotiated a new five-year land lease agreement with Peniuk Farms. Also in December 2025 we signed a new right-of-use agreement with the Assiniboine Gun Club for the gun range. The range is open to current members of both Sturgis and Preeceville, members of the SWF. In February 2026, we attended the annual convention in Yorkton where they announced that $319,200 was donated towards various programs.
Again, this year, THE Sturgis SWF donated $500 towards a scholarship at the Sturgis Composite School and supported the Habitat Trust.
We would like to acknowledge the contributions of the late Tom Smith. Tom leaves a legacy of always being a supporter of the SWF through his numerous donations of antler carvings,” concluded Wilcott.
Guest speakers included conservation officer Darren Henry, Matthew Tokaruk and Dale Barks of the Fish and Wildlife Branch, Ministry of Environment biologist. They discussed big game issues.
Trophy presentations were made by Daniel Wasylenchuk, assisted by Wilcott.
Fish
Brynn Barsby, peewee angler perch, 8 ozs.;
Koy Babiuk, junior men’s perch, 1 lb.;
Drae Peterson, junior men’s walleye, 3 lbs and junior men’s smallmouth bass, 3 lbs.;
Brinley Robinson, women’s perch, 12.5 ozs.;
Kaiden Masley, men’s smallmouth bass, 4 lbs;
Alex Barsby, northern pike, 16 lbs, 5 ozs;
Cory Babiuk, men’s perch, 1 lb. 4 ozs;
Conrad Peterson, men’s lake trout, 25 lbs;
Kaiden Masley, men’s walleye, 9 lb. 10 ozs.;
Big game
Emily Kalnicki won the women’s archery typical white-tailed deer, 130 2/8, and the women’s moose award, 154;
Hunter Modeland, junior men’s typical whitetail deer, 126 7/8;
Andrew Meroniuk, men’s non-typical whitetail deer, 157 0/8;
Michael Meroniuk, men’s typical whitetail deer, 143 4/8;
Mitchell Meroniuk, wolf, 14 3/8, and men’s typical elk, 142 1/8;
Shae Peterson, men’s muzzleloader typical whitetail deer, 146 0/8;
Andrew Chupik, men’s bear, 18 0/8, men’s typical mule deer, 143 1/8, and men’s archery typical whitetail deer, 150 3/8;
Colin Pasiechnik, men’s moose, 137 3/8;
Bo Babiuk, men’s archery typical elk, 165 6/8;
Brynn Babiuk, women’s typical whitetail deer, 157 3/8, and the women’s lake trout award, 20 lbs.
Students from Sturgis Elementary in Grades 1 to 6 were also recognized for their winning entries in the wildlife club’s poster contest.
The evening concluded with bucket draws and a dance.
Executive members are Rob Wilcott, president; Ashten Walker, vice-president; Daniel Wasylenchuk, secretary and treasurer; Russell Walker, membership chairman; Kelly Masley, awards chairman; and fundraising chairs Ashten Walker and Russell Walker. Directors are Mervin Blender, Bert Suknasky, Chris Walker, Kristy Karpyk, Don Sill, Clint Zubko, Brent Strand, Tracy Strand and Alex Barsby.
