The heads have been "scored,"the fish have been weighed and measured, and the Manito Wildlife Federation have tallied the official results. The annual awards for 2010 were announcedSaturday, March 26, at a banquet held in the Marsden Community Hall. Unfortunately there was a glitch in obtaining the actual award plaques, so the winners will not receive their hardware until a later date.
Lloyd and Donna Gordon won the top prize, sponsored by the Manito Wildlife Federation, as the "Sportsmen of the Year."
The biggest northern pike was caught by Dennis Thomsen, weighing in at 23 pounds and 10 ounces. Dave Robertson sponsored this award. In addition to his angling prowess, Thomsen is also a proficient hunter, taking home the prize for the smallest deer for a whitetail, scoring 120 3/8. The award for the smallest deer was sponsored by Tyler and Shauna Scott and Family.
Val Bossert won the award, sponsored by the Marsden and Neilburg branches of Synergy Credit Union, for the biggest walleye, with a prize catch of 5 pounds, 2 ounces.
Laurel Thomsen was the winner of the Female Angler Award, sponsored by Eric, Laura and Josh Graham. Her specimen weighed in at 19 pounds and 10 ounces.
Lorne Hiar and Craig Watson teamed up to win the 2010 Manito Wildlife Gopher Derby. This award was sponsored by J & D Buckrunners.
Nash Houk took home the 2010 prize for whitetail deer with a score of 147 3/8. His prize was sponsored by Dennis and Laurel Thomsen. Bagging this buck also brought Nash the Youth Big Game Award. This prize was sponsored by Tyler and Shauna Scott and Family.
Don Houk had the biggest non-typical whitetail deer with a tally of 151 3/8. Leo's Prefab and Welding 2001 Limited sponsored Houk's award. Don Houk was also the top moose hunter. The moose award was sponsored by Aaron Sjoquist. Houk's moose came in at 122 3/8.
Awards were also presented for mule deer with Glen Pattison taking home the trophy for a rack scoring 162 7/8. Pattison's prize was sponsored by Mel and Florence Hiar.
Dave Robertson took home the prize for non-typical mule deer with a rack scoring out at 178 6/8. That prize was sponsored by Wes and Kaye Graham and Family.
While the prizes for 2010 are now in the record books, it will soon be spring and time to head out to the lake for a little relaxation in the boat. Who knows what kind of success the members of the Manito Wildlife Federation will have in 2011? No doubt, all the members are motivated to attempt to outdo the previous year's records! Good luck to all as you enjoy a blessed life on Saskatchewan's lakes and in the bush country.
