“One thing this year that’s kind of unique is of the awards that we’re giving out — there are 16 in total — about nine are going to youths,” said Eric Hengen, the association’s president.
The group’s annual trophy measuring night, held Tuesday, Jan. 28 at the Sundre Community Centre’s boardroom, brought out about two dozen people seeking to compare how they stacked up while swapping stories from the past season.
“It was really good. We had quite a large number of animals brought in to be measured,” said Hengen.
Over the span of a couple of hours, he said two volunteers who have completed an Alberta Fish and Game Association accreditation course for official measuring, carefully determined sizes while others calculated overall scores.
There were entries in both the firearm as well as archery categories, although most were from the former, he said, adding there was a wide variety of animals including everything from black bears and whitetail deer to elk and moose.
“We even had some waterfowl entries this year from a youth,” said Hengen, adding the adolescent entered a Canada goose, a white-fronted goose and a mallard duck.
Although non-members are welcome to have animals measured, they do not qualify for the club’s awards, but they do get a chance to compare with others, he said.
However, Hengen stressed that the night is not about competing for the biggest trophy.
“It’s a recognition of success, not a measure of success,” he said, calling hunting and fishing the most natural methods of putting food on the table.
Hengen said he was glad to see the youth entries as they got a chance to connect with nature and learn how things work, while developing a deeper understanding and appreciation of the outdoors. This in turn helps foster a desire to take better care of those important resources, he said.
While new people are always welcome to join, the association remains roughly on par with recent years at about 70 members. Life can be demanding and available time sparse, but Hengen said anyone who is interested in joining is encouraged to reach out to any members or call Murf’s Outdoor Equipment at 403-638-5272.
The measuring night is the precursor to the association’s annual awards and banquet fundraiser, which features a catered meal along with silent and live auctions and is scheduled for Saturday, April 4 at the Sundre Community Centre.
Just prior to the measuring night, the association held its annual elections, with Hengen staying on as president, alongside vice-president Jamie Marfleet, secretary-treasurer Michel Murphy and six directors.
Hengen added he expects the local association will be receiving Minister’s Special Licence raffle tickets from Alberta Fish and Game Association.
“I always request that we get a few books to sell locally,” he said.
“A lot of people like my dad, who don’t even own a computer, wouldn’t otherwise have an opportunity to buy these tickets.”
Every year, he said the Alberta association has three special licences, or tags — one for antlered mule deer, elk and bighorn sheep — that offer the winners a chance to hunt those species anywhere in the province where there’s an open season.
“That’s a pretty special opportunity,” he said, explaining hunters are generally instead on a wait list, potentially for years, before being drawn for a tag.
Meanwhile, the Sundre Trappers Association held its annual community banquet fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 1 at the community centre, featuring live musical entertainment from a local three-member band and a prime rib supper.
Larry Nielsen, president, said more than 220 people attended, which was consistent with previous years.
“We did very well, it was a successful fundraiser,” he said, expressing his gratitude to all of the businesses, people, and volunteers who contributed.
“Our community is so generous in providing items for a silent auction.”
He said the association contributes back, having in recent years provided funding to the Sundre Nutrition for Learning Society, upgrades for the River Valley School playground, the local rodeo royalty program, the Sundre and District Museum, Alberta Hunter Education, the Medicine River Wildlife Centre, as well as the Friends of the Eastern Slopes.
Additionally, he said the trappers work in tandem with the fish and game association to host an annual hunter education seminar, usually at the Sundre Royal Canadian Legion Branch #223. Biologists from Rocky Mountain House and Alberta Environment and Parks come to provide the public with information about any changes in regulations, as well as to discuss any potential wildlife concerns in the area.
"That’s an example of one thing we’ve collaberated on in addition to other events. Sundre’s a small community, so we support each other."
The Sundre Trappers Association is part of the provincial organization, whose president attended the banquet. The group meets regularly at the museum’s round building on the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m., with the exception of the summer months, and anyone interested in learning more is invited to drop by.
“People are welcome to come, find out what we’re about, and sit in on the meeting,” he said, adding the next one is scheduled for Feb. 21.
