Measuring day one for the record books

WORTH THE WAIT: Matthew Erick shows off the moose he bagged near Manyberries that took him nine years to have his name drawn for the tag for the elusive animal. A six-hour trek was made in -20 Celsius weather on the hunt that netted the hunter approximately 400 pounds of meat and an excellent score on the antlers at this past weekend’s Taber Fish and Game Association Annual Measuring Day at the Taber Community Centre Auditorium. TIMES PHOTO SUBMITTED BY MATTHEW ERICK

Poll

Should the federal government be allowed to deal directly with municipalities without interference?

• YES
• NO

View Results

 Loading ...

Recent News →

• Provincial budget highlights identified: MLA Hunter
• Provincial grant solves “unfair” funding anomaly for RCMP-contracted policing in Coaldale
• Jets return to southern Alberta for matchup against the Okotoks Dawgs
• Taber WHAM finishes in bronze medal position
• Horizon School Board meeting brief from March 25

Recent Blog Posts →

• From the Archives of Western Newspapers
• From the Archives of Western Newspapers
• From the Archives of Western Newspapers
• From the Archives of Western Newspapers
• From the Archives of Western Newspapers

By Greg Price
Taber Times
gprice@tabertimes.com

Entries were on the upswing at 2018’s Taber Fish and Game Association Annual Measuring Day with 165 this past weekend at the Taber Community Centre Auditorium.

“Our entries were up this year, partly due to the mule deer theme with a lot of entries and displays coming in,” said Dave Chontosh, president of the Taber Fish and Game Association. “The archery hunters were very successful this year. There are more and more people using the bow and arrow. Photo entries were up which was nice to see.”

Very high quality entries were also the name of the game this year with nine qualifying for the Boone and Crocket (rifle) and Pope and Young (bow and arrow) record books.

“That’s a very high number for the year. Some of them were not current. From past years, there was a guy who brought in three entries that were shot in the 1950s that were never measured before and made the Boone and Crocket record book,” said Chontosh.

Given the rarity for the chance at some animals in southern Alberta, some people’s entries this year were years in the making.

“Species such as moose, elk, mule deer and antelope, tags are based on certain zones in the province. Some zones, to get that particular species, it can take up to 12 years to get drawn or more,” said Chontosh. “The average for mule deer is probably four to five years to get drawn. The antelope average is probably eight to 10 years to get drawn. That means there are not that many opportunities to harvest those species in the southern part of the province.”

“The draw system is based on available numbers of applicants applying for the draw and you have to put your draws in before the middle of June.”

Along with a higher number of entries, there was a higher number of vendors at the measuring day on Saturday that were well supported according to Chontosh.

Other big events coming up are the Taber Fish and Game Association Family Fun Fishing Day on Jan. 27.

The Taber Fish and Game Association Coyote Reduction Incentive Program is continuing into 2018 which you can get more information on by calling Dave at 403-317-0623.

The following are the results of the measuring day:

Youth Big Game: Archery Mule Deer – Maquade Jensen, 120.1. Whitetail – 1. Kasen Lyczewski, 117.1. 2. Nicholas Cannady, 92.2. Typical Mule Deer – Kasen Lyczewski , 164.3. Non-typical Mule Deer – Cal Kinniburgh, 175.7. Shed Antlers – 1. Maquade Jensen, Mule Deer 47.3 per cent. 2. Sage Howells, Mule Deer 38.4 per cent. 3. Kasen Lyczewski, Whitetail 36.8 per cent.

Youth Fish: Walleye – 1. Maquade Jensen, 29.1 inches. 2. Mya Nielsen, 23.8 inches. 3. Mya Nielsen, 23 inches. Ling Cod – Mya Nielsen, 33 inches. Perch – Mya Nielsen, 11 inches. Victoria Day Weekend Pike – Kasen Lyczewski, 34.75 inches. Rainbow Trout – Kasen Lyczewski, 23 inches. Lake Whitefish – Ryder Nielsen, 17 inches. Pike – 1. Ayden Jensen, 40 inches. 2. Justin Astalos, 39 inches. 3. Mya Nielsen, 37.5 inches. 4. Mya Nielsen, 37 inches.

Youth Birds: Pheasant – 1. Mason Werewka, 39 1/4 inches. 2. Hallie Horvath, 38 6/8 inches.

Adult Fish: Walleye – Landon Nielsen, 29.1 inches. Pike – Paul Deme, 34 inches. Rainbow Trout – Paul Deme, 24 inches.

Adult Birds: Pheasant – Jason Wiebe, 40 inches.

Adult Big Game: Mule Deer – Chad Pickerell, 165.7. Non-typical Mule Deer – Kassidy Howells, 166.3. Whitetail – Jedd Horvath, 149. Non-typical Whitetail – Josh Jensen, 143.4. Pronghorn Antelope – Ryan Leismeister, 82. Moose – Clay Leismeister, 179.4. Elk – Richard Horvath, 286.6. Shed – Cheryl Horvath, antelope 51.4 per cent.

Photography: Scenic – Patrick Horvath. Wildlife – Darcy Miller. Hunter in the Field – Darcy Miller.

Most Impressive Head: Doug Davies scoring 215.4 on a non-typical whitetail, making the Boone and Crocket all-time record book.

Gary Dickie Memorial Junior Big Game Hunter of the Year – Kasen Lyczewski.

John Osbourne Memorial Junior Fisherman of the Year – Mya Nielsen.

Taber Fish and Game Junior Bird Hunter of the Year – Mason Werewka.

Taber Fish and Game Junior Bowhunter of the Year – Maquade Jensen.

Taber Fish and Game Junior All-Around Sportsman of the Year – Kasen Lyczewski.

Ladies Big Game Hunter of the Year – Kassidy Howells.

Taber Archers and Bowhunters Bowhunter of the Year – Laurence Nielsen.

Sorgard Memorial All-Around Sportsman of the Year – Josh Jensen.

Hunters and fisherman are encouraged to pick up their awards from the measuring day at the Taber Fish and Game Association Annual General Meeting and Awards Night on Feb. 7.

Get More The Taber Times →