Wild game, auction on Fish & Game menu

If you have ever considered giving your palate a chance to try something different then the annual Ponoka Fish and Game Association banquet Feb. 4 would have been the place to stop.

Hosted in the Stagecoach Saloon at the Ponoka Stampede Grounds, attendees were able to have familiar meals with a twist; moose taco salad or lasagna, pheasant, elk and mule deer were also among the dishes available to hungry families.

President Leonard Davis said money from the fundraiser goes to current and planned projects for the group. There were less exotic meals compared to last year because of a cold winter that was tough on wildlife; there was a lot of deep snow and that can help predators when they hunt.

“For coyotes and predators in general, it’s easier when there’s lots of snow,” he explained.

In spite of a tough winter for hunters, there was still enough for everyone to try something new. After dinner, munificent attendees placed their generous bids on silent auction items from giant Zippo lighters to posters to camping gear.

The club’s goal is to involve the whole family in their activities and this year Davis hopes to work with a bird rescue association and have their younger members build duck houses. The first purpose of the Ponoka Fish and Game Association is to conserve the land and wildlife, and its second is to educate the public.

“There has to be animals for the next generation,” he stated.

The club relies mainly on volunteers who take their time to plan events and work closely with members.

“Without the sponsors and volunteers, we’re dead in the water.”

Club members also received awards for best catches of the year. Big game chairman Ray Abt said they use the Boone and Crocket scoring system.

“There’s a variety of ways to have a good point,” said Abt.

Among the award winners was Blair Dowling (not able to attend), who won the archery moose trophy, with a score of 111; also Doug Robinson won the typical elk trophy, with a score of 288.4. His was the largest catch for the interclub, which includes Ponoka, Lacombe and Rimbey.

Youths will build their duck/bird houses March 12.