Feb.13, 2010

My limited exposure to wild left me ambiguous. I had trouble swallowing deer sausage, but rather enjoyed moose steak and buttered, pan-fried rainbow trout. I think I learned to chew lightly after biting down hard on duck breast peppered with shot.

So, I approached the buffet table at the annual Lethbridge Fish and Game Association’s annual wild game supper last weekend with a bit of uncertainty. The labels read like a global menu, but area hunters had contributed the main ingredients from their efforts in Southern Alberta.

Prepared by the LA Chefs caterers were dishes such as Japanese Yaki Soba Game Bird Chow Mein, German Moose Roulade, Indian Venison Madras (with authentic red curry and yogurt), and Irish Whitetail Pot Pie.

The sleeper at a few tables seemed to be Mexican Mule Deer Enchiladas: some diners who missed it on the first pass were coaxed to try it.

Said fish and game life member Heinz Plontke, since the dinner organizers started offering wild game meals in the early ‘90s, the event has become increasingly popular. (The first dinner was held in 1932.) This year, about 300 people attended.

The event recognized club members who contributed to the association’s success, and hunters and anglers for their showing in competitions for upland and migratory birds, big game, fishing and photography.

Brian Dingreville, in his final year as LFGA president, was given a life membership for “unselfishly giving his time” the last four years helping boost membership to more than 1,250 from under 1,000. As well, he took the lead in opposing the provincial government’s Open Spaces proposal, which was pared back to become a pilot project called Recreational Access Management Plan (RAMP).

He says people are starting to feel good about attending LFGA events, particularly the dinner.

“We seem to have turned the corner. We have a really enthusiastic group who are not afraid to do what they think is right.”

His time with LFGA  – he also served as big game chairman for 14 years – have been among “the best years of my life.”  They’ve helped get him outdoors lots, where he enjoys the “freedom of just getting away.”

The epitome of the fish and game, he says, is “seeing the kids come up to accept awards.”

Among the young people receiving awards this year was Kara Popson, 12, who was recognized as the Joe Balla Memorial Junior Angler of the Year. Her catches included a 2 lb. 13 oz. Lake Rainbow and a 15 lb. 14 oz. lake trout. She likes fishing at Waterton Lake and Moonshine Lake, in the northern part of the province.

Kara, who started fishing when she was about 5 years old, says it doesn’t really matter if she catches anything.

“I just like being outdoors.”

Jim Porteus won the Earl Carr Award for 20 years of “taking to heart his volunteering” in organizing skeet and trap shoots, with a particular eye on safety.

Certificate of merit awards were presented to Richard Roberts, Rick Blakely, Gavin Brinsmead and Dean Weger.