As of the end of November 2013 What Your Branch Needs to Know This Month

Our new website is up and running—it is still located at www.swf.sk.ca. Calendar of Events Membership books ‐ please contact if you did not get your books picked up at Regional Meetings. Dec 14 Kyle Fish and Game League Horn Scoring 1:00 pm, Kyle Henry Kelsey entry fees have changed: $15 for members and $25 for non‐ Legion Hall members. Jan 6 Kyle Fish & Game League Annual Meeting 7:30 pm, Kyle The minutes of fall regional meetings are included in this Branch Legion Hall. MEMO. Resolutions that will be presented at the convention will be in next month's mail ‐ please review at the branch level prior to casting your branch Jan 8 Wildlife Federation Annual General Meeting and vote at the convention. Elections Call for nomination of Provincial President ‐ branches must submit their nomination to the SWF Central Office on or before January 15. Election will Jan 9 Melville Fish and Game Annual General Meeting take place at the convention in . Jan 16 Moose Jaw Wildlife Federation Trophy & Appreciation night This is the last month to submit nominations for provincial awards: Clayton Young Memorial Award, Branch Project, Resource Management, Gordon Jan 18‐19 Gun & Outdoor Sportsman Show Servus Lund and Bill McDonald Youth Conservationist of the Year Award are issued by the SWF at our annual convention in February. Careful Sports Centre HWY 17 South & 12 Street consideration should be given towards choosing worthy recipients for these most prestigious awards. Please send your submissions into Central Office Jan 25 Lloydminster Family Wildlife & Awards Banquet ‐ Convention by January 1. Submissions can be made by your branch or any interested Center, Exhibition Grounds individual. For details please go to our website at www.swf.sk.ca. Jan 30 Kyle Fish and Game League Banquet & Awards 6:00 pm Kyle

Elks Hall Please send us the name of your Top Membership Salesperson before December 31. Presentations will be made at the Annual Convention. Feb 1 Wildlife Federation Awards Night ‐ Prairie Operation Respect Signs are designed to promote good hunter/landowner Community Centre relations. The following signs are available:  Respect the Landowner's Rights ‐ Ask Permission to Hunt Feb 13‐15 85th Annual SWF Convention ‐ Moose Jaw  Building in this Area ‐ No Shooting Please  No Vehicles Allowed ‐ Hunting on Foot Only Mar 6‐9 Sports & Leisure Show  Please Close the Gate  Hunting with Permission Only Mar 15 ‐ Melville Fish & Game Annual Awards and Fundraising  Livestock in this Pasture ‐ No Hunting Please Banquet

Mar 15 Ice Shack Removal We can provide plaques to the branches for your annual awards. Please send us your order with details, and the date you require them by fax 692‐ Mar 29 ‐ 30 Wildlife Federation First Annual Pistol Club Gun 4370 or email [email protected]. Show

Please make sure to let us know of any changes to your executive by Mar 31 Fishing Season Closes calling or emailing SWF Central Office. This is most important for mail outs and emails. Apr 12 Estevan Wildlife Federation's Annual Fundraiser ‐ Wylie

Mitchell Building Life Insurance — Please circulate the Insurance info from August Branch Memo to your members in your newsletters or email tree. Apr 14 ‐ Porcupine Wildlife Federation Annual Banquet

Mark your calendars for the Henry Kelsey & Provincial Angling Awards Banquet April 5th in ! Please help distribute the poster included in Check our website for more information on these and other events this Branch Memo. at http://swf.sk.ca/events/

SWF 9 Lancaster Rd. Moose Jaw, Sask. S6J 1M8 Phone 306-692-8812 Fax: 306-692-4370 [email protected] www.swf.sk.ca Delegates to the 85th Annual Convention in Moose Jaw will enjoy: Keynote Address ~ Branch Project Presentations ~ Hospitality Room ~ Ministry of Environment Enforcement Compliance Presentation and Question and Answer Time ~ Seminars ~ Fundraising Banquet ~ Wildlife Advisory Presentation ~ Networking opportunities ~ Henry Kelsey Report ~ Firearms Legislation ~ SWF President’s Report ~ Banquets ~ Best Resolution ~ Photography Winners ~ Clayton Young Memorial ~ Ed Begin Conservation Project ~ Resource Management Conservation Award ~ Gordon Lund Memorial Plus, if this is your first convention, delegates are invited to a free lunch where they will meet the Central Office staff and find out what to expect at Convention.

Keynote Speaker—Steve Mealey Accommodation Information

Vice President for Conservation - Boone The Host Hotel: and Crockett Club HERITAGE INN http://heritageinn.net/ 1590 Main St. N., Moose Jaw, SK S6J 1L3 We are thrilled to have Steve Mealey as the Keynote 306-693-7550 Speaker at the Wildlife Federation 85th Room rates run $108.00 plus tax and up depending on the room. Reservations Annual Convention in Moose Jaw. must be made prior to January 12, 2014.

Mealey is an Honorary Life Member of the Boone and Additional Accommodation Crockett Club, and Vice President for Conservation. Shuttles will be provided to and from the Heritage Inn to: Currently retired in Oregon, his professional career spanned 30 years and included wildlife (grizzly bear) COMFORT INN research as well as management and administration http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-moose_jaw-canada-CN035 155 Thatcher Dr. W., Moose Jaw, SK S6J 1M1 for federal [U.S. Forest Service (USFS)], state (Idaho 306-692-2100 Department of Fish and Game), and private (Boise 1-800-228-5150 Cascade Corporation) natural resources based organi- Reservations must be made 60 days prior to convention date. Rates are $120.00 zations. plus tax and up depending on room. Includes hot & cold breakfast and WIFI.

The Boone and Crockett Club was founded by Theo- dore Roosevelt in 1887. It is America’s oldest hunter/ SUPER 8 conservationist organization with national focus. The http://www.super8.com/hotels/saskatchewan/moose-jaw/super-8-moose-jaw- sk/hotel-overview Club’s mission is to promote the conservation and management of wildlife, especially big game and its 1706 Main St. N., Moose Jaw, SK S6J 1L4 habitat, to preserve and encourage hunting and to 306-692-8888 maintain the highest ethical standards of fair chase and sportsmanship in North America. The Boone and Reservations must be made by January 12th, 2014. Rates are $105.30 plus tax Crockett Club has a great legacy of protecting wild- depending on the room. Includes hot and cold breakfast and WIFI. life, especially big game, as well as federal land habi- tat. DAYS INN http://www.daysinn.ca/hotels/saskatchewan/moose-jaw/days-inn-moose-jaw/ Mealey's most notable awards include the Wyoming hotel-overview Outdoor Hall of Fame; Honorary Life Member Boone 1720 Main St. N., Moose Jaw, SK S6J 1L4 and Crockett Club; and the Bronze Star Medal 306-691-5777 (Meritorious Service, US Air Force, Viet Nam, 1967- 68) Reservations must be made prior to January 15, 2014. Rates are $108.00 plus tax depending on the room. Includes hot and cold breakfast, WIFI, pool, hot tub, Steve and Marty, his wife of almost 50 years, live near water slide, business center & fitness room. Leaburg, Oregon on the McKenzie River. More hotel info on www.swf.sk.ca

Habitat Trust Report Bringing You the Facts

By Jim Kroshus, Habitat Trust Coordinator By Greg Illerbrun, SWF Firearms Chairman Hide Collection ‐ Hunting season has be‐ gun, and with it comes the start‐up of the Things are moving very slowly on this front from my perspective. It seems like the Conservatives feel SWF's Hide Collection Program, coordi‐ nated through Central Office. Money they have done all they need to do at this point on the issue of gun control. At the Conservative raised through this program has been in‐ convention held in Calgary a resolution came to the floor asking the delegates to recognize the right strumental in purchasing, retaining, and to own firearms. After considerable debate, including the suggestion from one delegate that firearm enhancing tens of thousands of acres of ownership is a privilege not a right, the motion was lost with 500 against and 477 in favor. Unfortu‐ critical wildlife habitat in Saskatchewan for nately for Canadians and the delegates there, they missed the whole point. The issue is whether or future generations to enjoy. not we as Canadians have the “right to life” which most Canadians automatically think we do. The

fact is that you only have the right to life if you have the right to defend that life. Anything short of Branches are encouraged to participate in this and you are subsequently denied that right. We have a lot of work to do to get this message out this important fundraising venture by set‐ ting up a hide collection depot in their area, and I am counting on you folks to spread the word at every opportunity. and encouraging local hunters to donate their big game hides by putting up posters, On a positive note the delegates did pass the following resolution: etc. provided by the SWF. Please fill in the A Conservative Government recognizes the legitimacy of private ownership of firearms and will resist form (in August Branch Memo) and return any domestic or international pressure to the contrary, is committed to cost‐effective gun control it to Central Office asap, as we pass this programs designed to keep guns out of the hands of criminals while respecting the rights of law‐ info onto the driver so he can coordinate abiding Canadians to own and use firearms responsibly. Measures will include: mandatory mini‐ the hide pick‐ups. mum sentences for criminal use of firearms; strict monitoring of high risk individuals; increased en‐

forcement and prosecution of smuggling; safe storage provisions; firearms safety training; a certifi‐ Bryan is still the contact person, although it is no longer Halford Hides, but is now cation screening system for all those wishing to acquire firearms legally; and putting more law en‐ Southern Alberta Processing Co. collecting forcement officers on our streets. the hides. When you require a pick‐up, please call Bryan at 780‐446‐9062. If he Since then, specifically on November 12, an Ontario Court of Appeal has ruled that mandatory mini‐ does not answer, please leave a message mum sentences for criminal use of firearms is unconstitutional. This will help with those folks who giving him a phone number, the town you have not found themselves in front of criminal court for failing to renew their firearm licenses. How‐ are in, and a time when he can call you ever they will still be liable for criminal charges, a problem that clearly needs to be addressed! back. If you do not have very many hides to pick up, please try to consolidate your As most of you are aware we have been working diligently on getting the act changed to allow gov‐ hides with another branch. Pickups should ernment agencies to transfer own‐ be finished by the end of February ership for government owned guns (depending on the weather), so please and/or confiscated firearms back make sure to arrange a pick‐up before then. to the private sector. We have had a verbal agreement that this is Hide Care Tips going to happen but again nothing ‐ Please trim off heads and legs has changed at this point. This ‐ If the hide cannot be frozen immediately, regulation can be changed by Or‐ please salt it (10 lbs for each deer, 20 lbs der In Council so it is easily done, for each moose, elk, or cattle hide). which brings up the question of ‐ Lay the hide out flat flesh side up. Remove any excess meat or fat. what is the holdup? I know I have ‐ Spread approx. 1/4" of salt over the entire asked you in the past to talk to flesh surface and leave it laid out flat for a your local MP regarding this issue BIGFOOT SNOWSHOE LOAN minimum of 3 days. and it appears we need to keep at ‐ Hides can be piled one on top of the other it! MoE is telling us that they will to approx. 3' high to save space. need to start destroying guns soon

rather than donate them to the Antler Collection – we have begun another fundraising venture for the Habitat Trust SWF as they are running out of Fund. We will be collecting antlers at the room to store them. fall regional meetings, so if you have some on hand, or there is someone in your As Usual Never Forgive Never branch that has a “shed full of sheds”, Forget please contact our office and/or bring them to the fall regional meeting. We will keep you posted on the progress/success of this program.

Provincial Henry Kelsey Big Game Records Chairman Report By Pat McKenzie , Provincial Henry Kelsey Big Game Records Chairman

Saskatchewan Whitetail Trophies Why you might ask do Saskatchewan hunters contact your closest measurer to have it not enter their trophies into the record officially entered and show the rest of the The Henry Kelsey Big Game Records of Sas- books? Well the answers vary and here are world the real quality and quantity of Sas- katchewan is the official records keeping just a few reasons: katchewan’s big game animals. system for Saskatchewan big game. Henry Kelsey (HK), with its own constitution, is an The individual is not a trophy hunter and has Jack Reneau, Director, Big Game Records for ancillary body within the Saskatchewan Wild- no interest in having their name in the re- B&C, said it best, “I think the more impor- life Federation. The scoring methodology is cord book. tant reason for entering a trophy in the re- identical to Boone & Crockett (B&C) and cords book, and it trumps all the reasons for Pope & Young (P&Y) with the exception that The entry fees into the records books can be why people don’t do it, is that the higher trophies do not require a 60-day drying pe- a deterrent. numbers indicate the successes of wildlife riod, which we refer to as the green score. management efforts and pay tribute to those Currently there are 60 official HK measurers The trophy hunter does not want other peo- who came before us to ensure that our gen- located throughout the province, 34 are offi- ple to know the geographical location of eration and future generations would have cial B&C measurers and 27 are official Pope where the animal was taken. something to hunt.” and Young measurers. The hunter is convinced someone will break If you have any questions, concerns or com- The Saskatchewan HK minimums for white- into their house and steal their trophy or ments feel free to contact me at tail deer are 165 typical and 190 non-typical, believe they will receive a lot of phone calls [email protected] which is the only province or state with mini- from people wanting to buy their trophy. mums higher than the B&C Awards minimums The actual fact is this is a rare occurrence of 160 typical and 185 non-typical. This fact and the value of their trophy is a lot less alone indicates the quality and quantity of than most people think. whitetail deer in the province. The B&C all- Some hunters do not want to be recognized time awards minimums are 170 typical and in the record book for their accomplish- 195 non-typical. So even after the 60-day ments. This one is unfortunate because the drying period, nearly all of the whitetail record books are there to honor the trophy deer entered into HK would be eligible for and is the only way to record the quality of entry into the B&C awards period at a mini- whitetail deer taken in Saskatchewan. mum. There are several folks in this province that The number of HK whitetail deer taken and have multiple trophies, as they are able to entered in the provincial record book, on put in the time and effort to be successful average over the past 10 years, is 44 typical year after year. I suspect the reason they do and 14 non-typical entries for a combined not enter their trophies is because of being total on average of 58 trophy whitetail deer labeled a poacher or using illegal hunting entries yearly. tactics. It is important to note that HK and Of these 58 trophies entered into the HK B&C have stringent guidelines and policies records, they account for possibly a half or regarding illegal taking of game so unless 50% of the actual record book trophies taken these accusations can be proven, they are in this province each year. This is a best just that – accusations, and should not pre- estimate based on the information we re- vent any law-abiding hunter from entering ceive from annual scoring days at local their trophies. branches where the individuals bring their If the trophy score is below the Henry Kelsey trophy in to win the local competition but minimums, about 95% of the trophy owners never have the trophy officially entered. do not bother to enter their trophy into the There are also non-resident hunters who Boone and Crockett awards. come up on guided hunts, their success rate has been fairly high and these trophies rarely Saskatchewan people are spoiled by the high get recorded in HK. The Ministry of Environ- quality and quantity of trophy whitetail deer ment also enters a small number of confis- and it is just not a big deal. cated trophy heads into the records books, unlike their counterparts in the U.S. In closing I would like to encourage all hunt- ers with trophies that meet the HK and/or the B&C all-time or awards minimums to Membership Update *** Indicates branches that have met or exceeded their Membership target. Congratulations!

REGION ONE (28) 2013 2013 2013 2013 REGION THREE (29) 2013 2013 2013 2013 REGION FIVE (17) 2013 2013 2013 2013 Regu‐ Affili‐ Target Regular Affiliate Actual Target lar ate Actual Target Regular Affiliate Actual

BASIN LAKE*** 21 16 17 33 BEAVER HILLS*** 84 93 38 131 Arm River 81 31 35 66 Bruno 196 97 93 190 BUCHANAN*** 106 52 69 121 BIGGAR*** 391 298 145 443 CARROT RIVER*** 130 69 91 160 CANORA*** 307 141 205 346 BRIGHTWATER BLACK- CREIGHTON*** 208 150 70 220 DELWOOD*** 33 19 16 35 STRAP*** 77 67 69 136 CUB HILLS*** 491 252 283 535 East Shore 205 95 92 187 *** 208 120 92 212 CUDWORTH*** 132 71 61 132 Endeavor 67 28 28 56 EAGLE CREEK*** 185 102 105 207 HUMBOLDT*** 381 264 136 400 ESTERHAZY*** 545 380 238 618 Elbow 104 44 38 82 93 58 31 89 352 180 150 330 KERROBERT*** 151 86 67 153 Lake Lenore 234 108 104 212 Fort Qu'Appelle 142 64 67 131 284 178 97 275 LEASK-MARCELIN*** 190 92 108 200 KYLE*** 225 134 103 237 HUDSON BAY*** 422 221 257 478 LUCIEN LAKE*** 102 70 35 105 106 46 33 79 *** 135 80 66 146 MALLARD*** 116 80 85 165 Outlook 291 169 85 254 KUROKI*** 177 113 93 206 MELFORT*** 405 195 231 426 ROSETOWN*** 55 32 39 71 Langenburg 194 76 66 142 Mistatim 108 64 41 105 SASKATOON*** 1819 1343 566 1909 LEROY*** 71 45 51 96 Naiverdale 116 52 39 91 SNIPE LAKE*** 17 20 2 22 LOON CREEK*** 155 88 85 173 *** 213 135 111 246 VISCOUNT*** 40 26 16 42 MELVILLE*** 809 501 320 821 Park View 184 83 95 178 WATROUS*** 270 162 163 325 NORQUAY*** 214 131 145 276 Porcupine 220 82 90 172 YOUNG*** 38 40 19 59 PARKLAND*** 195 111 105 216 PRINCE ALBERT*** 694 413 428 841 Regional 4342 2898 1674 4572 PHEASANT CREEK*** 98 51 70 121 St.Brieux 147 51 77 128 **** 365 212 191 403 St.Peters 292 137 136 273 River Ridge 254 112 140 252 REGION SIX (13) 2013 2013 2013 2013 SHELLBROOK*** 412 307 128 435 Sturgis 205 97 102 199 STONY RAPIDS*** 32 19 14 33 Target Regular Affiliate Actual TIMBERLINE**** 37 25 12 37 STRUTHERS LAKE*** 204 128 111 239 TOUCHWOOD HILLS*** 544 295 290 585 Tisdale 793 377 386 763 ASSINIBOIA**** 198 169 40 209 VALLEY VIEW*** 81 66 70 136 VALLEY TRAILS *** 410 268 190 458 Buffalo Lake 96 37 23 60 Watson 173 102 66 168 25 15 7 22 Whitesand 241 88 86 174 DEEP SOUTH*** 27 38 22 60 Weldon 194 98 89 187 WILLOWBROOK*** 427 242 238 480 DIRT HILLS*** 281 294 221 515 GREAT SANDHILLS*** 80 68 19 87 Regional 6743 3751 3287 7038 308 170 137 307 Regional 6946 3878 3493 7371 MAPLE CREEK *** 194 142 77 219 Moose Jaw 697 274 195 469

REGION TWO (17) 2013 2013 2013 2013 NOTEKEU*** 58 60 60 Regu- Affili- REGION FOUR (15) 2013 2013 2013 2013 Shaunavon 179 92 81 173 Target lar ate Actual Target Regular Affiliate Actual SOUTH SHORE*** 35 34 7 41

SWIFT CURRENT*** 594 357 251 608 Battlefords 455 236 182 418 BOGGY CREEK**** 477 279 198 477 Beaver River 119 49 66 115 WILLOW BUNCH*** 46 38 34 72 BROADVIEW*** 146 84 69 153 Cut Knife 198 99 95 194 Wiwa Creek 65 33 26 59 ESTEVAN*** 764 477 377 854 Dorintosh 169 63 62 125 Regional 2550 1636 996 2632 Grenfell 213 112 99 211 FIELDING*** 230 130 108 238 Indian Head 197 104 74 178 LLOYDMINSTER*** 1528 1224 363 1587 Moose Mountain 200 86 82 168 Branches exceeding their 2013 target 68 Lost Horse Creek 172 83 67 150 132 78 45 123 Macklin 330 156 173 329 Redvers 466 176 214 390 Regular Members 18378 Meadow Lake 297 152 90 242 REGINA*** 1033 716 354 1070 Affiliate Members 14019 REDBERRY LAKE*** 93 53 53 106 420 195 219 414 St. Walburg 133 61 50 111 Saveagoose 543 213 269 482 Provincial Members 171 SOURIS MOOSE CREEK*** 268 142 141 283 Corporate Members 10 Thickwood Hills 211 87 112 199 WAPELLA PIPESTONE*** 411 181 255 436 2013 Memberships to Nov 30, 2013 32,578 Turtle River 143 87 50 137 2012 Memberships to Nov 30, 2012 31,447 *** 435 226 214 440 Unity 182 107 71 178 INCREASE 1,131 *** 302 221 166 387 Wilkie 38 21 11 32 Regional 6007 3290 2776 6066 WITCHEKAN*** 504 295 229 524 Target Actual Over (Short) % Regional 4802 2903 1782 4685 Region 1 6743 7038 295 104% Sask Falconry Assoc. 22 11 33 Region 2 4813 4685 (128) 97% Branches should check their totals to this sheet every month. If there are discrep- Region 3 6946 7371 425 106% ancies between the two totals, please contact Central Office. Region 4 6007 6066 59 101% Region 5 4342 4572 230 105% Region 6 2550 2632 82 103%