The Sundre Fish and Game Association's number of members is down a bit, but the organization is nevertheless having a great year so far, said its president.
“We're looking to have a successful year,” Alex Clews recently told the Round Up.
The association is involved in local initiatives such as its scholarship fund, which is awarded to a graduating student who plans to pursue a post-secondary education that is related to environmental studies. The scholarship is worth $1,000, but if there are two qualifying candidates, they are each awarded $500, he said.
The organization is also endeavouring to provide additional youth programs to get the community more involved, he said.
“This year, we have a member shoot competition.”
He described it as a “fun, in-house event” that would be held roughly once a month to bring members closer together and get more young people involved at the same time. One of the association's members has some land and agreed to set up some trails that wind through his forest, along with the placement of foam targets shaped liked animals to teach newer members to shoot, while providing an opportunity for others to practise their skills. Many people who are learning don't get to shoot 3D foam cutouts and instead use traditional bull's-eye style targets, he said.
“This teaches them where to aim and adds an element of excitement to it,” he said, adding it's the first time the association has attempted to hold monthly shoot competitions.
Every January, the group holds its score night, when both members and non-members can have their trophies measured to Boone and Crocket standards. The event is followed in April by the association's annual award night and supper. Despite the prolonged economic slump, this year's supper was well attended by a little more than 200 people and many awards were presented, he said.
“It was one of our better years despite the economy.”
Having an organization like Fish and Game is important for a community like Sundre because the association provides annual input regarding wildlife quotas, and also hosts an annual meeting about the local environment in collaboration with the Sundre Trappers' Association, he said.
That meeting helps to keep the community aware of what's going on out in the West Country in regards to numbers of animals such as cougars, bears and elk, as well as what changes might be expected in terms of regulations, he said.
Additionally, Sundre Fish and Game donates to Alfred Lake, which is essentially a youth hunting and fishing camp located near Caroline, he said.
“We also have a fish pond (north of Sundre near Garrington) that we stock every year for members to take their kids out to and teach how to fish.”
Anyone interested in finding out more about the association is welcome to contact any of its members, drop by Murf's Outdoor Equipment during regular business hours or visit www.sundrefishandgame.com, he said.
