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Saskatoon Wildlife Federation
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About
The Saskatoon Wildlife Federation is a nonprofit organization that has been dedicated to supporting wildlife conservation and habitat preservation since 1931. Devoted to responsible hunting, fishing, and trapping, Saskatoon Wildlife Federation has made great strides in acquiring habitat land for sustaining wildlife. We teach and promote safe shooting practices, and offer courses to all ages.

Board of Directors

Elton

Elton Dutka

President

Member since 1992

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Elton is most excited about the expansion of youth programming and initiatives. He looks forward to mentoring the next generation of sportsmen and women, and witnessing the bright future of Saskatoon Wildlife Federation’s clubs. An outdoorsman to the core, Elton spends his free time practicing target sports, hunting, snowmobiling, biking, golfing, and hiking.
Jeff Kent

Jeff Kent

1st Vice-President

Member since 2012
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An avid outdoorsman from an early age, most of Jeff’s memories involve his brothers- their many outings into the wild were regularly half hunting and fishing… and half hijinks. His hobbies include competitive shooting, hunting, fishing, snowboarding, and spending time on any and all of the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation’s ranges with his son Edward.
Wayde Squires

Wayde Squires

2nd Vice-President and Sports & Leisure Show Chair

Member since 2007

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Before Wayde joined the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation, he was a Scouts Canada Leader and a member of the Manitoba Wildlife Federation. Wayde is heartened to see so many new members using the ranges and looks forward to educating the general public.

His fondest hunting story is when he received a call from his father during the 1974 hunting season, telling him to come out to the east side of Lake Winnipegosis for the weekend. Upon arrival, he discovered that his father had shot a monster bull moose in the muskeg south of Strong Lake, and needed help retrieving it. They worked all weekend, quartering the bull and taking it out one piece at a time via canoe. The CO said this was the largest moose he had seen in his lifetime! Wayde told his father that, if this happens again, to build a fire and start eating.

Wayde enjoys target shooting, fishing, camping, restoring cars, and collecting firearms… especially lever rifles and Savage 99s. He and his wife Joan have two children and four grandchildren.

Brian Stewart

Brian Stewart

3rd Vice-President

Member since 2013

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Brian grew up in Cut Knife, and has been a Federation member since 2013 and has fond memories of many Wild Game Dinners. He looks forward to many more years with the Federation, and is excited to see the membership grow.

His hobbies include hunting and fishing, of course, as well as spending time with family and friends outdoors, and watching his children participate in the air rifle program. He also coaches kids’ baseball, goes canoeing and paddleboarding, and does a little CrossFit so that he can stay in good enough shape for all of these activities.

Howard Closson

Howard Closson

Past-President

Member since 1972

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Howard is the current past-president of the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation and the resident gopher population control expert. 

Howard handles a majority of the Outdoor Range upkeep, and is the Federation’s most well-known Range Safety Officer. And if you’ve ever eaten at a Saskatoon Wildlife Federation dinner, there is a good chance Howard had a hand in preparing your meal!

Brian Graves

Brian Graves

Treasurer

Member since 2017

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Brian is most excited about the Federation’s goal of putting more time and effort into youth clubs and programs, as well as becoming a more inclusive organization that promotes safety, respect, and the conservation of our resources.

His sharpest hunting memory is of losing his wedding ring, school ring, and watchband while field-dressing a moose. Ask him for the full story- he’d love to tell it! Beyond storytelling, Brian also enjoys hunting, curling, and golfing.

Todd

Brad Ashdown

Executive Director

Member since 2010

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Brad has been a member of the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation for 13 years. Brad would like to see memberships grow in all the sporting clubs that the federation supports and regain the capacity to deliver conservation programming as a stand-alone club to set a better example for other conservation clubs around the province.

Target

Glen Cartwright

Range Chair

Member since 2008

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Bio coming soon.

James Jolly

James Jolly

Membership Chair

Member since 2009
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James first became a member of the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation in 2009 and has since been a firm believer that a strong membership base is the backbone of our organization. He is an avid outdoor enthusiast who can frequently be found hiking, camping, hunting or fishing, basically anything that will get him away from the urban environment. As the Membership Chair, James wants to be more involved in the community and get to know and understand our members better. He hopes to find new ways to maintain our current membership base as well as find new ways to grow the club with people from all walks of life. James believes that our passions and lifestyles hinge on growing the organization and maintaining a positive outward public profile to help remove the fear or public stigmas that can paint groups like us in negative ways.
Gordon Kincade

Gordon Kincade

TROPHY CHAIRMAN

Member since 2006
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Having first joined in 1970, Gordon spent many years working with the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation before drifting off to other federations. Since his return in 2006, he enjoys participating in the Sports & Leisure Show, as well as meeting new people. He and his wife Mara are also big supporters of their junior members!

Gordon has taught firearm safety and hunter education since 1964. Today, his hobbies include flower gardening, reading, and stock car racing.

Alfred Hovdestad

Alfred Hovdestad

Firearms Safety Chair

Member since 2000

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Youth are the future, and Alfred loves being part of the Junior Outdoor Club, watching the younger members develop a passion for the wild. Alfred is a strong advocate for safe camping education! He hopes to have many opportunities to share his knowledge and passion with others in the future, especially with those who are new to the country, who may find our deeply-Canadian desire to get out into the wild strange or dangerous. Beyond camping, Alfred also enjoys wildlife photography, and sitting around the campfire with friends and family.
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Colin O’Byrne

Saskatoon Rifle & Revolver Club President

Member since 2008

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Bio coming soon.
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Chad Renneberg

Saskatoon Straight Shooters Archery Club Interim President

Member since 1972

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Lindsay Tallon

Biathlon President

Member since 2020

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Scott Arthur

Scott Arthur

SRRC Junior program president

Member since 1983
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There’s nothing Scott loves more than time spent outdoors! His favorite part about his involvement with the Federation is witnessing kids’ clubs gain momentum, spending time with the volunteers, and welcoming new ones. His fondest memory as an outdoorsman is watching his 8-year-old daughter hook a 9lb6oz walleye on her very first cast at Thunder Rapids… using a Dora The Explorer rod. In his spare time, Scott enjoys baseball, shooting, sporting clays, and restoring his ’66 Comet Caliente convertible and ’63 Chevy Corvair rampside pickup

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Jay Beavis

Member At Large

Member since 2023

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Jay has been an avid shooter since he was given a pellet gun at 5 years old. When he was 12 years old, he was given a .22 and after that, no small game animals were safe. After going duck hunting with a friend’s father at 14 years old, he begged, borrowed, and stole his way into duck/goose hunting as often as he possibly could. When he finally got a car, he was able to go on many solo world-class goose hunts that lasted well throughout his high school career. Jay says he sat in a tree stand with a compound bow for 10 years before he finally got his first buck.

He enjoys long-distance shooting and has competed in Nokomis and spent his fair share of time behind a loading bench. His current passion is getting individuals who are new to hunting the knowledge and access required for this great way of life. As a hunter and landowner, he believes the new property laws are a huge hurdle to overcome and will challenge new hunters. Jay’s hope is to help new hunters navigate their way through the new laws.