Happy New Year!
2011 was a great year for our association. We should all be very proud of everything that was accomplished. 2012 however promises to be even better! It will be our "breakout year". We have many new ideas & projects in the planning stages. Stay tuned for exciting news as the year progresses.
Here are some updates as to what is going on:
" VERY IMPORTANT A Youth Mentoring program is being introduced by our club. We believe it to be one the strongest, if not the strongest in the province. Please see the enclosed documents for details.
" Memberships are now due. All of you have been contacted with requests to mail your dues to LdB Wildlife Association, Box 25, LdB, R0E 1A0. We have recently been informed that the requests for date of birth are optional, so if that is why you haven't sent your cheque, no problem. Please mail ASAP to ensure your free insurance coverage is not interrupted & your Outdoor Edge magazine subscription is not cancelled. If you have any questions, please contact me or Art St.Amant, our membership director at 345-2161. Members are our most valuable asset. The club needs your support.
" MWF Conservation Raffle was held on Dec.19th. If nobody has called you by now, there's always next year! Our club did extremely well selling tickets, just over $17,000 worth, the 4th largest sales in the province!
If we had sold another $300, we would have been second highest in sales! MWF is really appreciative of our efforts, not to mention that we will make about $4000.00 in commissions for our club! A big thank-you goes out to Ted Drabik, our Fundraising Director, who took charge of the ticket sales. Great job!
Here is the list of winners our club sold tickets to:
Polaris 550 ATV sold to S. Potticary sold by Ted Drabik
Toyota Fishing Kit sold to H. Vernaus sold by Laurie Molinski
Game Camera sold to B. Roy sold by Greg Robinson
$100 Cabela card sold to G. Shumila sold by Todd Martel
$100 Cabela card sold to W. Zirk sold by Gerry Arbez
$100 Cabela card sold to D. Wazny sold by Henry VanSabben
" 3rd Annual Awards Banquet was held on Dec.10th.
Again a huge success, completely sold out 2 weeks before the dinner. We had more prizes than ever thanks to the generosity of our many donors. Major prizes consisting of three rifles, a fishing trip & an electric fireplace were raffled off. Another big thank you to Don Halbert, Banquet Director, for a job well done.
The award winners were:
Largest Moose Randy Draward,
2nd Mark Juer,
3rd Dennis Peluk
Largest Typical Deer Michael Smith,
2nd Tyler Freedy,
3rd Roger Gauthier,
Largest Non-Typical Deer Joe Tino,
Largest Bear Bryan Tyler,
Largest Youth Deer Carter Hrechkosy,
2nd Cody Vandersteen,
3rd Ian Gould,
Largest Youth Northern Pike Bon Olston,
Largest Walleye Devon Orvis,
2nd Shirley Rattai,
3rd Laurie Molinsky,
Largest Northern Pike Dave Mariash
" An Elk Transplantation program was recently considered by our club. We have a commitment to reintroduce wildlife species to our area as it forms part of our Strategic Plan. Unfortunately, scientific evidence presented to us by Manitoba Conservation led us to conclude that this project was not viable. The boreal forest habitat in our surrounding area is not appropriate for elk. We would also be faced with very serious disease problems like brain worm, chronic wasting disease, liver fluke & tuberculosis. Thanks to the four biologists at Manitoba Conservation who did a lot of research for their presentation to us. We will look at other projects in the future, maybe a wild turkey introduction in our area.
" MWF 68th Annual Convention takes place in Winnipeg on Feb.17th & 18th. All members are welcome! Details are posted on the MWF website and in your Outdoor Edge magazine.
Gerry Arbez, President
Lac du Bonnet Wildlife Association
345-8956
www.ldbwildlifeassociation.com
December 2011 Newsletter
Awards Banquet, December 10th, LdB Legion Hall, 5pm cocktails, 6pm dinner, is completely sold out. We have released an additional 25 tickets for the evening awards presentations and raffle draws, starting at 7pm; cost $15.00 per person. These special tickets are available at La Verendrye Trading only or call me. More major prizes than ever including 3 gun draws courtesy of La Verendrye Trading, Corner Auto &Atlas Roofing; aTrails End Camp 8 person charter fishing trip; a recliner chair from Home Hardware & a full shoulder mount for the largest typical deer head from Mr. Fish Taxidermy. Remember all deer heads brought for scoring & display are eligible for a special prize draw, no matter how big or small. Please call to register all your big game heads to ensure we have enough qualified scorers. All heads must be brought to the Legion Hall between 12 &1pm on the 10th. Please call if you want to donate to any of the prize groups. Angling entries are very limited & so we are extending the deadline till Dec.8th. We may have to consider dropping the angling categories next year if there is no more interest. More info on all of the above can be found on our website. We are still looking for volunteers to help set up on Saturday morning & for scoring in the afternoon.
Membership Renewals are now coming due. Most of you have been contacted & asked for date of birth & occupation along with the dues. This information is required for the free insurance you receive with membership. The rest of you will be contacted shortly. This is a huge task so please respond in a timely fashion to avoid the work of second round followups.
A Strategic Plan for the club has been developped and has been posted on our website.
Manitoba Wildlife Federation Conservation Raffle will be held on Dec.19th. Good luck to everyone; 50 great prizes to be won including a new Toyota Tundra truck!
Lost & Found: Just brought to our attention that a set of vehicle keys was found at our Family Picnic this past August at Sunset Bay. These include a remote door lock & a "chipped" GM key so these are very valuable to someone.
Gerry Arbez, President
BANQUET UPDATE:
As promised in the November newsletter, here are some more details on the 3rd Annual LdB Wildlife Association Awards Banquet.
Date: Saturday, Dec.10th
Time: 5:00 PM Cocktails, Dinner 6:00 PM
Place: LdB Royal Legion Banquet Hall
Cost: $25.00 Everyone Welcome, Get your tickets early as both previous years have sold out.
*All deer, elk, moose & bear heads must be brought to the Legion Hall between 12:00 noon & 1PM for measurement. Please notify Don Halbert or myself if you intend to bring in an entry to ensure we have enough qualified scorers.
*All angling entries (pike, pickerel, perch & small mouth bass) must be received by Walter Tokar, Box 114,Great Falls, MB R0E 0V0, 367-8066, waltergf@watersidewireless.net by December 3rd. Please make sure you get a confirmation number to ensure your entry has been received.
*Club trophies will be presented for all 1st place entries. All second & third place entries will receive a certificate.
*New this year. All deer entries will be entered in a draw for a very special prize, regardless of score. The only way to win is to bring in your deer head for scoring, regardless of size. Share your success with other members.
*All rules & regulations are posted on our website ....www.ldbwildlifeassociation.com
*Remember you must be present at the Banquet to be eligible for any of these trophies, certificates & special deer prize.
Our supporters have been very generous & we have more prizes than ever! We already have two gun draws lined up, a .243 Savage bolt action & scope ($1000.00 value) supplied by LaVerendrye Trading and a .17 calibre Savage bolt action & scope ($400.00 value) donated by Corner Auto. We will also feature an 8 person all day guided fishing trip ($1100.00 value) supplied by Trail End Camp. Of course we will have our very popular silent auction table raffles.
We are still solicitating more prizes so if any of you members own a business which you would like represented by donating a prize, or maybe your employer would be willing to contribute & finally many members just choose to donate something personally, please contact Don Halbert, Banquet Chair, 345-2882, halbert@watersidewireless.net or the writer. Remember nothing is too big or too small! We also need some volunteers to set up & organize the prizes in the morning as well as some volunteers to help with the scoring in the afternoon, again please contact Don Halbert or myself.
Finally our club will be present at the Farmers Market Craft Sale this Saturday, Nov.19th, Legion Hall, 10 to 4pm promoting our Wildlife Association. If some of you still have MWF Conservation raffle tickets you wish to return, you can do so then.
If you know of someone who wants to be a member, please bring them down as we will be selling memberships there as well as the MWF raffle tickets. Maybe you want to purchase a gift membership or tickets as a Christmas gift for someone???
Gerry Arbez, President
LdB Wildlife Association
345-8956
November 2011 Newsletter
What a great Fall season we have enjoyed so far this year! Fishing season is basically finished for all but the most dedicated with the various hunting seasons well under way. Don't forget to send in your angling entries for all your big fish caught this year.
Send your entries to angling director Walter Tokar, Box 114, Great Falls, MB, R0E OV0, 367-8066, waltgrt@watersidewireless.net
Scoring for big game needs to be confirmed but should take place at noon, at the Legion on Dec.10th. Angling & big game trophy rules & regulations are posted on our web site at www.ldbwildlifeassociation.com
Speaking of trophies, our 3rd Annual Awards Banquet will be held on Dec.10th, Legion Hall. Tickets will be available shortly from any Director, more details to follow. Save the date and avoid disappointment by getting your tickets early as both previous dinners have been a complete sell out!
Gerry Arbez, President
LdB Wildlife Association
345-8956
www.ldbwildlifeassociation.com September 2011 Newsletter
Fall season must be here as several hunting seasons open this month. Good luck to everyone and remember to enter your heads at our Awards Banquet on Dec.10th. Don't forget to take pictures & enter your pike, walleye, perch & smallmouth bass. Rules posted on our website www.ldbwildlifeassociation.com
Congratulations to Carolyn Charles who won the chainsaw bear carving at our Summer Picnic, carving donated by Keith & Janice Grift of Rustic Charms Designs.
Our club has 3 members who sit on the Committee for Cooperative Moose Management of the Manitoba Model Forest which serves as an advisory group on moose matters to Manitoba Conservation. Attached is a copy of the last letter sent to Minister Blaikie on the matter, demanding an immediate Conservation closure for GHA 26. A "Conservation Closure" would end all licensed hunting & rights based hunting. To date, we have not had a reply. We continue to work on this matter on a daily basis. As stressed in the attached letter, this matter is URGENT. We will have a lot more info like press releases, letters & minutes of meetings pertaining to the work which has been done for moose, available on our website under Moose Recovery very shortly.
Our entire website has already undergone an update; be sure to go check it out. A big thank you to member Bob Poole, our Website Chairman.
Important Dates
Sept.10th Annual General Meeting of the LdB Wildlife Association.
Everyone should have received their "Notice of Meeting" by now. Legion Hall, 7:30, featuring guest speaker Dennis Brannen, Woodland Caribou Biologist for Eastern Manitoba, Manitoba Conservation. This is the first time we hold a general members meeting on a Saturday to allow weekend only cottagers to attend. If successful, we would of course consider more in the future.
Sept.13th Regional Meeting of Manitoba Wildlife Federation in Beausejour.
Members from your club are invited to join together with others from wildlife clubs in the Eastern Manitoba region and Executive members of Manitoba Wildlife Federation. The meeting will be a time to learn what MWF does to support your club and the initiatives we are working on to benefit wildlife conservation.
Potential topics include:
Manitoba Model Forest, Manitoba Trappers Association, Mentored Hunt updates,
General updates on Manitoba Wildlife Federation, 2011 Conservation Raffle.
Manitoba Metis Federation will make a presentation on their Harvester Card.
Members of the MWF Executive will be available for a Question and Answer session.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011, 7:00 to 9:30 PM, Beausejour Legion Hall
Sept.17th Trap Shoot Competition
LOCATION: Seven Sisters Falls Wildlife Assoc. Inc. Gun Range, located on Homestead Rd., 3 Kms. East of the Town of Seven Sisters, off of PTH #307.
DATE: Saturday, September 17th, 2011, 11.00 A.M. to 3.00 P.M.
Bar-B-Q and refreshments supplied.
COST: $15.00 per round. (25 shells & 25 clays, both supplied.
PRIZES: $200.00 First place, $150.00 Second place, $100.00 Third place.
3 rounds required to qualify for prizes.
Prize payout based on a minimum of 10 shooters.
Prizes awarded to the three High Scores of the day.
In the event of a draw, for any prize, a 25 shot ( shoot off) will be held to determine a winner. Cost of shoot off covered by Club. The is event is ONLY OPEN to Members in GOOD STANDING.
PRE-REGISTRATION is required for this shoot to give the organizers an idea of attendance.
Members can contact President Al Kotowich at Tel. # 1-204-348-7705, by Wednesday , Sept. 14th. 2011??????
Here' a note from member Bruce Hodgson:
Just wanted to drop a line to let you know that a few of us had a chance to take in the weekly trap shoot at the Seven Sisters gun range yesterday. Happy to report that we had a good time, at a nice range, with good people.The only trouble was, a lack of attendance. If anybody would like to go this Wednesday (it starts at 6:30) and here's what you need to know: 1/ It's cheap! For $25 they supply two boxes of target loads as well as the clay pigeons.(You can purchase more shells if desired)
2/ It's easy to find! Head through Seven Sisters (on #307) for four miles and take a right turn on Homestead Rd. Then it's on your first left.
3/ All you need to bring is your shotgun, ear protection, and your MWF ID card.
So, if a few from LdB want to get a few friends together and carpool down please do so. If you'd rather jump in with my crew call me at 345-4848.
Thanks,
Bruce Hodgson
Sept.28th Wounded Veteran's Hunt Fundraising Dinner,
in support of the wounded warriors of Canada & the Manitoba Wildlife Federation William Glesby Centre, Portage la Prairie, 6:00pm cocktails & 7:pm dinner
Tickets $75.00, call 204-633-5967
Gerry Arbez, President
LdD Wildlife Association
345-8956
August 2011 Newsletter
Our Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF) Conservation Raffle tickets are selling very well. Many members had returned their books in time for the early bird draw in June. Unfortunately the winning early bird tickets were not sold by our club. We must be saving our winners for the main draw on Dec.19th. However Darrell Scheirich did win a $100 Cabelas gift card & LdB Co-op Gas Bar won a reciprocating saw in our early bird sellers draw for turning in their sold books. If anyone would like another book to sell please contact Ted Drabik, our Fund Raising Director at 345-2309. You still have over 4 months to sell them. Our association continues to sell tickets at the Farmers Market most Saturdays & various other public events.These tickets sales are our main source of revenue for the entire year as well as supporting our MWF.
Our Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, Sept 10th., 7:30 pm, Legion Hall. This is our first ever Saturday meeting. The idea is to accommodate our many cottager/weekend members who probably can not attend during the week. If you prefer Saturday morning or afternoon rather than evening, please advise & we will consider time change if possible. The club will present it's audited financial statement for the year ending June 30th, 2011. We will also elect a new board of directors. A nominating committee has been formed to present a full slate of candidates. If you are interested in a position on the board, please contact Gerry Arbez 345-8956, Art St.Amant 345-2161 or Bruce Williams 345-6093. Don't be afraid to show up, you will not be railroaded into taking a position you don't want! We also have a great guest speaker lined up which will be confirmed shortly.
A reminder to take pictures of those big fish for the Awards Banquet this December. See website for rules.
Just received notice that the fall members meeting of the MWF will take place on Sunday, August 28th, 10:00 to noon, at the MWF office, 70 Stevenson Rd. All members are welcome.
Lastly our 3rd Annual Summer Family Picnic will take place on Sunday, Aug.21, from 11:00 to 4:00, in Sunset Bay. The event will feature a horseshoe tournament, golf contest, minnow races, childrens games & raffles. Lots of prizes to be won.The entire event is free including hot dogs & burgers! Everyone welcome. You don't have to be a member to attend. Bring your friends & neighbours. If you know of anyone who is considering joining our club please bring them along as we will have memberships available there.
Please contact me for any additional information. Remember our website www.ldbwildlifeassociation.com
Gerry Arbez, President
Lac du Bonnet Wildlife Association
345-8956
UPCOMING EVENTS
June6 MWF Conservation Raffle Early Bird Draw
Prize #1: Bakers Narrow Lodge package: 4 day, 5 night all inclusive fishing package for 4 – valued at $4900.
Winner is: Bill Sedo of Winnipeg with winning ticket #002228.
Prize #2: Eagle Nest Lodge package: 3 day, 4 night all inclusive fishing package for 4 - valued at $6200.
Winner is: Jack Isabey of Hartney with winning ticket #050491.
Sellers Incentive Prize: Goes to the Riviere Seine River Wildlife Association in La Broquerie.
Congratulations to all. All names go back into the draw for the major draw being held on December 19, 2011.
June16
Youth Outdoor Wilderness Activity Day in conjuction with the Never Alone Cancer Fishing Derby. 240 students plus teachers are coming to Lac du Bonnet for a day of outdoor activity sessions. The LdB Wilflife Association was asked & has agreed to BBQ hotdogs for the students lunch that day. We are looking for volunteer members to help from 11am to 1pm. Please call Gerry 345-8956 or Art 345-2161.
June 21
LdB Wildlife Association 1-day Charter Fishing Trip with Trail End Lodge. (Sorry, all sold out)
June8 & 22, July6 & 20, Aug3 &17 & 31, Sept. 7 & 21
Trap shoots at Seven Sisters Gun Range.
$15 a round for shells & clays, two rounds for $25. LdB WA members need a $40 per year family gun range pass for unlimited use of range & to participate in the trap shoots.
Every Saturday
The club is set up at the Farmers Market selling MWF Raffle tickets, memberships & generally promoting our organization. Again we can use volunteers who will be paired up with experienced members at the booth.
NEWS
Reel Solutions for Youth
held on May 27th was again a great success this year. 26 Grade 6 students from Centennial School participated in the morning seminars hosted by Doug Leroux, Bob Goodfellow, Brian Jack, Vic Hollows & Tod Hughes. Ted Drabik, Doug Silvester, Don Halbert & Art St. Amant not only served BBQ dogs that rivalled those found in Lockport but also spent the afternoon baiting hooks at the derby. Four fish were caught in spite of the tough weather. Thanks to Eugene Obirek for his donation of live minnows & to La Verendrye Trading for helping with some of the tackle.
All students also received a rod, reel & tackle box courtesy of Fish Futures. A great day & a super program.
Bird House Build We need someone to head up our extremely popular children's bird house & feeder program. Please call to find out what 's all involved.
Moose Management We have three board members who serve on the Committee for Cooperative Moose Management, which is part of the Manitoba Model Forest. The committee has made great progress this year & will be forwarding some recommendations to Manitoba Conservation in the very near future. Stay tuned for more info very shortly.
Don't forget to check out our website which will be updated again very soon. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any queries.
Gerry Arbez, President
LdB Wildlife Association
345-8956
Fishing Report
Manitoba Recreational Fishing League.
This a competitive fishing league. It is organised in teams of six youth 9 to 15 years of age and two coaches. They do six outings of at least 2 hrs. each starting May 20. Whatever is caught would be scored and a champion team picked. We fielded a team last year which finished fourth in this competition. After the competition was over we reviewed the program and prevailed upon the organisers to change four of the rules which we thought were not appropriate. We also decided our organising group should be changed to what is recommended by the League. We asked our local Recreational Director be our contact person. The duties were to develop a brochure and application form which would be distributed to all the youth who could participate. To receive and remit applications and fees and to accept and send in the score sheets. There were also two members of a local organization ( L du Bon Wildlife) to provide guidance to the coaches as to areas where there was a good chance of catching fish.
Everything was set up, all we had to do was decide which applications we would accept for our team. Just before the application deadline we checked to find out how many applications we had received. We were told none, zip, nada. After the initial shock wore off we initiated a direct last minute appeal but did not get enough for a team.
Discouraged, disappointed, and still shocked. We will examine what we did this year and try again next year!! It is a great program and fits in perfectly with the Reel Solutions program as a second step. First you get fishing equipment and then you participate in the Rec. League to get more detail as to how to use the equipment you now have.
There are a great many people, youth, seniors, apartment and condo dwellers who do not have cottages or boats. We are trying to find places that this group can go to and fish. The only well known places are the town dock, McAurther Falls and Pine Falls. There must be others. Where?? We really would like to find or develop new places. There must be more. Please send us your suggestions.
Fishing awards. When you send in your completed applications the fishing directors email address has been changed to waltergf@watersidewireless.net. This is a change from dial up to high speed it will be much easier to deal with all of the fishing spot location recommendations and all the award applications.
Walter Tokar,
Angling Director
367-8066
May Newsletter
Reminders
Shooting Skills Day this Sat May7th, Seven Sisters Gun Range, 9am to 4pm. 5 venues to choose from, archery, .22, high power rifle, black powder & shotgun. All guns, ammo & targets supplied. Do not bring your own guns. Instruction/supervision at all venues. Come meet Buck Pierce, Winnipeg Blue Bomber Quarterback & Manitoba Wildlife Federation spokesperson. Cost $15.00 per venue & includes lunch. Everyone welcome. Come check out the range. What a great way to introduce youth to shooting. Event opens & closes with a black powder CANNON demo.
Moose Update Meeting May 26th, LdB Community Centre Hall, 7 to 9pm, hosted by Manitoba Conservation. Come find out what's happening on the moose scene.
Reel Solutions for Youth May 27th, Town Dock, 9am to 3pm. All 27 grade 6 students from LdB Centennial School will be treated to a day of angling instruction followed by a mini fishing derby. Volunteers are needed to help with instruction & BBQ hot dog lunch. Rain out date June 10th.
Manitoba Recreational Fishing League Again this year we hope to field at least one team of 9 to 15 year olds in the league but again we need two volunteer coaches per team to make this work. Register with the Winnipeg River Recreation office in LdB.
Fishing Trip We have one spot left on the guided fishing charter at Trails End Camp in Pointe du Bois on June 21st. This a large boat that holds 10 fishers. $135.00 includes all equipment, bait, shore lunch. Fish all day from 8 am to 6pm with 9 other fellow members. Should be great day on the water.
MWF Conservation Raffle All members should have received a book of tickets by now. The raffle includes two early bird draws for great fishing trips. Please turn in your sold books by May 31st to ensure they are included in the early draw. Otherwise the main draw for all the other fabulous prizes in December 19th. All club members turning in sold books for the early bird will be entered to win a $100.00 Cabelas gift certificate, over & above the other sellers prizes. Remember our club gets half the proceeds of this raffle and it is our main fundraiser for the year.
Fishing Season opens May 14th!
For more info on any of the above, do not hesitate to contact me.
Gerry Arbez, President
LdB Wildlife Association
345-8956
*******************************
FISHING TRIP
At the request of several members, the LdB Wildlife Association has booked its first annual 1 day fishing charter with Trails End Camp in Pointe du Bois, for Tuesday June 21, 8am to 6 pm. The first ten members to pay $135.00 are in. First come, first served.
Gerry Arbez, President
LdB Wildlife Association
345-8956
April 26, 7 pm,
Legion Hall
The meeting will feature an update on the moose situation in our area including recent survey of 17A as presented by Kelly Leavesley, Regional Wildlife Manager, Eastern Region, Manitoba Conservation. After that there will be a short presentation on upcoming events like Shooting Skills Day, Reel Solutions for Youth, Manitoba Recreational Fishing League, MWF Conservation Raffle Early Bird Draw and Trails End Camp Fishing Trip. Door Prizes!!! Come find out first hand what's happening in your club. Bring a guest who may be considering joining.
Gerry Arbez, President
Lac du Bonnet Wildlife Association
345-8956
April Newsletter
Great news! The Lac du Bonnet Wildlife Association has won the "Affiliate
Club of the Year Award". Our club was chosen by Manitoba Wildlife Federation
from some 120 clubs in the province for this most prestigious award. Our
club also received the"Gold Membership Award" for membership increase of
10% or more. (See story in this week's Leader dated March 31) It is very
gratifying to see our efforts recognized at that level. Both awards were
presented at the 67th Annual Convention held in Brandon. The Awards will
be displayed shortly in our trophy case located in the entrance at La Verendrye
Trading. We had four delegates attend the convention; Bruce Williams, Cam
Neurenberg, Don Ross, and Bruce Hodgson. These delegates came back with
very positive remarks about the presentations/guest speakers and the whole
convention experience.
Annual Snow Golf was held on March 20th despite light rain showers. It was
again a great success, with 61 golfers finishing the 9 hole course designed
by Art St. Amant & Ed Klassen. A Chinese food buffet was enjoyed by all
& tons of prizes were handed out by prize committee volunteers Anne Klassen
& Gail St. Amant.
We have a General Membership Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 26th,
7 pm, Legion Hall, Lac du Bonnet. Mark your calendars! Agenda to be confirmed.
We are also involved in the 2nd Annual Shooting Skills Day on May 7th at
Seven Sisters Gun Range (SSGR). A total of four venues will be available,
rifle(.22 & high power), shotgun, blackpowder & archery. Cost is $15 per
venue or all four for $55. Must call Wayne Single @ 853-2006 to register.
This is a great opportunity to learn how to shoot & visit the SSGR. LdB
WA members can buy one year memberships there for $35 for single or $40
for family memberships. It's a great facility & even has a hand gun range.
Gerry Arbez, President
LdB Wildlife Association
345-8956
www.wildlifeassociation.com
Calendar of Events
April 26 General Meeting
May 7 Shooting Skills Day
May 27 Reel Solutions for Youth
April Angling Report
Sometimes things work, other times they don’t. The Family Fishing Day on
the 27th of March on Still Cove Bay was one derby where everything fell
into place. The weather was perfect, sunny, and windless. About 60 people
showed up, 20 of them children under 12 years old, all enjoying the outdoors.
Art St Amant and the rest of his crew did a masterful job of transporting
participants and all of the other items required to run a derby. The club
provided hot dogs, drinks, and prizes to all the children and the draw prizes
to the adults. Gary Morloch, Vice President of Angling for Manitoba Wildlife
Federation, was in attendance and doubled as "Master Chef" at the BBQ. The
grand prize of a new rod and reel for the first fish, heaviest fish, longest
fish and, regretfully, the only fish went to 9 year old Anika Easton who
has developed the fish-catching touch.
The LdB Wildlife Association has finalized plans for the Reel Solutions
for Youth, a day of angling, conservation & habitat education for all 27
of our local Grade 6 students, terminating with a fishing tournament in
the afternoon. The event will take place on May 27th, with a rain out date
of June 10th.
Pro fisher/writer Don Lamont and Doug Laroux, Fisheries & Water Stewardship
Manager for Eastern Manitoba, Manitoba Conservation, will be presenting
seminars & workshops again this year.
Volunteers are needed to BBQ hot dogs, help the students rig up their rods/reels
& provide some general supervision/guidance. Please call to volunteer. The
Manitoba Recreational Fishing League will start again in the middle of May.
The LdB Wildlife Association participated last year but we need more support
for the team and, hopefully, this year we can find more fishers who can
provide assistance. The teams are 6 to 8 kids between 9 to 15 years of age,
who go out with two coaches for a minimum of 2 hrs. a week for 6 weeks.
Complete information can be found by following the links on the Manitoba
Wildlife web site. The LdB WA Angling Award Applications for this year are
available on our website or from any director. now that ice fishing season
is over. Now that ice fishing season is over, this would be a great time
to enter that big fish you caught this winter.
Walter Tokar
Angling Director
367-8066
Feb. Newsletter
Angling News
The majority of angling articles are slanted towards the long time, almost
pro anglers who have either shacks or elaborate equipment to pursue their
sport. The purpose here is to encourage new family anglers to try something
new in our area.
The season is changing! The almost frozen ice of December is past.The days
are getting longer. The next two months are the perfect time to get involved
with ice fishing.
For entry level fishers, tackle is not much of an expense because a fair
amount of the summer rods and lures can be used in ice fishing. Advice on
how to use the tackle can be found in the Outdoor Edge magazine which all
Wildlife Assn. members receive with their membership. The advice article
on the last page of the current issue will help some, although some will
read the bait recommendations and say, what the heck is a Swedish Pimple?
The ideal place, in our area, for advice is to check with David Forsyth
at The La Verendrye Trading Co. bait and tackle shop in Lac du Bonnet. I
would be surprised if there was a question on bait, tackle or fishing methods
he could not answer.
Once you have your bait and tackle, the next task is to decide where to
use your equipment.
A few years ago there were several small fishing derbies one could participate
in for a moderate fee. The holes were drilled for you,there was a warm up
fire, a portable bathroom and a grill with hot dogs and drinks. They have
all disappeared. The only derbies that are around now are the ones that
are exclusive to companies and associations. The easiest option is to scout
around and find where the ice shacks are set up. They are set up where there
is a good chance of catching fish and the ice is safe. The hole to fish
through can be drilled with a hand ice auger, which can handle the two feet
of ice on the river easily.
Other options would be to ask the fishers in the ice shacks to drill a few
holes that you can use or to look around for holes that have been drilled
recently and have one or two inches of new ice on the surface which can
be easily broken open again.
The Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby is on during the March 12 weekend. Participants
and the volunteers who help out should mark this day on their calendars.
Another day to mark is the LdB Wildlife Family Ice Fishing Day which is
March 27.
Outdoor winter activities are fun, but remember, leave nothing behind but
your footprints.
Walter Tokar
Angling Director
LdB Wildlife Association
Jan 2011 Newsletter
Happy New Year!
Our 2nd Annual Awards Banquet was again a sold out success! The meal catered
by the Legion Ladies Axillary was great. The prize selection was fabulous.
A one day fishing charter for up to 10 people, made possible by Trail End
Camp, was won by Ian Gould. The 25.06 Mossberg rifle & 3-9X50 Bushnell scope,
made possible by LaVerendrye Trading, was won by David Yaskiw. Six lucky
guests won door prizes including Paul Chapman who won the special door prize.
Another 23 won in the silent auction.
Trophies for the largest typical deer (152&2/8) went to Marc Juer while
Dan McMahon won the the non typical (148&4/8). Largest elk (326&5/8) went
to Cy Larson and largest moose (106&4/8) went to Todd Martel. There were
no entries for bear.
Largest pickerel went to Allan Rattai (30 &1/2"), second Joel Delorme ((26"),
third Wes Martin (24&3/4"). Largest northern pike Laurie Molinsky (42"),
second Joel Delorme (40"), third Wes Martin (30&5/8"). Largest Perch Marc
Pitre (12&3/4"), second Ellie Bouderlique.
Congratulations to all our winners! You can see the trophies on display
in the lobby at LaVerendrye Trading.
A big thank you to Don Halbert, Award Banquet Chair for a job well done.
Please feel free to contact Don or myself with any comments on the banquet.
Our association goes a little quiet for a few months at this time of the
year but spring promises to be very busy again. Our annual Snow Golf
tournament goes again this year on March 20 and our second annual Family
Ice Fishing Day takes place on March 27. Be sure to mark these dates
on your calendars. We are also attempting to reschedule a general meeting
with the Manitoba Metis Federation some time in spring. Stay tuned for more
info on all these events.
A reminder that memberships should have been renewed by Dec.31. If you have
not sent them in, please do so asap, LdB WA, Box 25, Lac du Bonnet, MB R0E
1A0.
$35 for a family, 30 for a single. If you know of anyone who would like
to join, please let us know.
Gerry Arbez, President
LdB Wildlife Association
345-8956
Angling News
Because of high water and a heavy insulating blanket of snow the Ice fishing
season is off to a slow start. There is only a smattering of fishing shacks
on the river instead of the small villages that are usually on the ice.
There has been an enormous change on the ice fishing scene. A couple of
years ago There were only one or two styles of portable tent ice shelters
available. The fishing supply catalogues now have a dozen listed, of all
sizes. The internet sites that offer used fishing equipment for sale are
full of small shelters for sale as the fishermen who purchased the small
ones to try them out, found they were much more flexible and easily moved
around and are selling the small ones to purchase the larger an more elaborate
shelters. As little as four years ago if you were to purchase a depth finder,
you purchased a portable with a transducer designed to be attached to a
boat with a suction cop and altered it to work on the ice. Now there are
a half dozen models designed specifically for ice fishing.
At the request of several members, a small mouth bass category will
be added in our angling award categories for next year. An official angling
entry form is being drawn up with some minor rules changes. The entry form
will attached to the Feb newsletter & will also be posted on our web site.
Good luck in 2011!!!
Walter Tokar
Fishing Chair
367-8066
2010 Newsletters have been archived*************************************************************