Cypress River Wildlife Assoc. hold Big Buck Awards Night
The Cypress River Wildlife Association held another successful Big Buck Night on January 10th in the Cypress River Memorial Hall.
Over $1500 in raffle prizes, and another $800 in awards prizes brought in the crowd and filled up the hall. Everyone enjoyed a meal of smoked pork on a bun with gourmet mac n cheese and freshly baked cookies thanks to Heritage Hills Homestead.
Devon Baete, Field Operations Manager for Squeal on Pigs Manitoba, presented on the impacts wild pigs pose to wildlife and risk to carrying disease to livestock. Following was a brief AGM on our board remaining as President Billie Lalonde, Vice Kayla Sholdice, and Secretary-Treasurer Devon Baete. Projects for this year includes hosting an ice fishing event for Glenboro School, and placing duck nesting boxes around Cypress River.
The fish and bird awards were then presented. Fish awards received a custom Manitoba Wildlife Federation jigging spoon and “Catch n Cook” batter. Longest perch at 14 1/8 inch went to Jackson Van Damme, walleye at 29 inches to Glenn Jefferies, and northern pike at 36 inches to Shawn Van Damme. For bird awards this year we gave out small to giant sized cooking roasters. Heaviest duck at 3.15 lbs and goose at 10 lbs went to Russell Early. The giant roaster for biggest turkey at 17 lbs went to Dallas Weicker.
Our “Pile-O-Prizes” raffle was then called out with winners choosing their prizes. Thank you to all the businesses that donated which gave everyone a lot more opportunity to win a prize.
Jeff Noel of Cypress Technology Solutions, also a member of the Manitoba Big Game Trophy Association, organized the scoring of the big game for the night. Moving our event into January allowed many bucks to be pre scored at prior events which reduced the work but they were still kept busy with 24 entries. Entries were put in a hat and a $50 Jo Brooks gift certificate went to Glenn Wood. Members received a custom CRWA thermos and Buck knife. Youth prizes were Outdoor Edge field butchering kits but we had no entries this year. There were also no entries for bear, moose, or archery buck. Largest wild boar went to Brad Ruston. Largest elk at 163 inches went to Melayna Godard. Largest ladies buck at 117 6/8 inches also went to Melayna. Our new Hub Insurance Most Even Award with 1 3/8 inch difference went to Glenn Jefferies. Our largest buck winners received new custom CRWA cutting boards and Buck knives. Our non-member largest typical buck at 146 6/8 went to Bryce Jackson, and non-member non-typical at 153 6/8 went to Colby Levreault. Our member largest non-typical buck at 154 4/8 went to Dom Guertin. His brother Sam was present to receive the club trophy. Our trophy for member largest typical at 147 1/8 inches went to Luke Defoort. The last award of the night was our FUBAR category. Cody Bruneau brought in a giant mule deer head and was chosen. Thanks again to Jeff and MBGTA scorers of Jim Moores, Brad Griffin and Glen Gaudet.
Our annual free membership draw for a custom CRWA gun cabinet made by Cypress Industries went to Lucas Delichte. If you want to become a member and get your name into the free draw check out our Facebook page.
The last presentation of the night was for our card draw for a Browning AB3 in 6.5 Creedmore calibre and Vortex scope sponsored by Jo Brooks Firearms. This year’s winner was Trevor Simoens.
PHOTO CAPTION: Kayla Sholdice (l) and Billie Lalonde (r) present Luke Defoort with a trophy and cutting board for winning the Largest Typical deer (147-1/8”) by a Member. PHOTO BY SUZANNE PADDOCK
