Saskatoon Wildlife Federation

Contact

About Us

The Saskatoon Wildlife Federation is a nonprofit organization that has been dedicated to supporting wildlife conservation and habitat preservation since 1931. We are NOT part of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation as we branched out from them in 2018. 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.
Scott Arthur

Scott Arthur

SRRC Junior Program President/2nd Vice President

Member since 1993
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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

Brian Stewart

Brian Stewart

Member At Large

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.

Wayde Squires

Wayde Squires

Executive Director/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. He’s been a member since 1983 with the Saskatoon Branch of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation and then transitioned and continued on when Saskatoon went separate to become the Saskatoon 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.

Todd

Brad Ashdown

Conservation & Governance

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.

Glen Cartwright

Glen Cartwright

3rd Vice President/Master Instructor

Member since 2008

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Bio coming soon.

Target

Colin O’Byrne

Saskatoon Rifle & Revolver Club President

Member since 2008

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Bio coming soon.
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.
Target

Chad Renneberg

Saskatoon Straight Shooters Archery Club Interim President

Member since 1972

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Bio coming soon.
Target

Lindsay Tallon

Biathlon President

Member since 2020

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Bio coming soon.

Trout Pond

The Saskatoon Wildlife Federation trout pond is stocked annually, and is open to the public. A valid fishing license is required, as of this time our pond is catch & release ONLY due to the size and age of trout. Please use caution when ice fishing in our aerated pond, and obey all posted rules.

Turn in Poachers and Polluters – Contact Details
1-800-667-7561 | SaskTel Cell #5555
saskatchewan.ca/tipp
Saskatchewan

Associate Links

CSSA

Canadian Shooting Sports Association (CSSA)

https://cssa-cila.org/

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We promote diverse shooting sports, from traditional competitions to modern action sports, hunting, and archery. Our commitment extends to sponsoring events and nurturing youth involvement.

Our educational initiatives include training and certifying Range and Safety Officers. Actively engaging in political advocacy, we strive to safeguard Canada’s firearm traditions and advocate for lawful, unrestricted firearm access for responsible citizens.

CSAAA

Canadian Sporting Arms & Ammunition Association (CSAAA)

https://www.csaaa.org/

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Promoting commitment to the legal sales of firearms, ammunition, archery equipment and hunting and shooting sports accessories. We support and promote hunting and shooting sports as legitimate and socially beneficial sporting activities and our business owners as meaningful contributors to their local and our national economies.
SMLC

Muzzleloading Club

saskatoonmuzzleloadingclub.com

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The club is dedicated to shooting original and replica black powder muzzle loading and cartridge firearms. And features monthly club shoots throughout the spring, summer, and fall and are also active with other black powder shoots around the province.
Saskatoon Coin Club

Coin Club

https://www.saskatooncoinclub.ca/

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The mission of the Saskatoon Coin Club is to encourage and promote interest in Numismatics, to cultivate friendly relations among collectors, and to provide a time and place to meet, buy, sell, or trade coins and information on coins.
Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation

Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation

livingskywildliferehabilitation.org

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Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation provides the full range of treatment services needed to rehabilitate small mammals and birds. We assist the public with issues relating to wildlife; and promote knowledge and appreciation of wild animals and the habitats they depend on for survival.
Saskatchewan Logo

Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment

Saskatchewan Hunters Guide

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The Ministry of Environment provides science-based solutions, compliance and mitigation measures aimed at protecting the environment, safeguarding communities and helping to ensure balanced economic growth and a better quality of life for all Saskatchewan residents.
Saskatchewan Rivers Chapter

Saskatchewan Rivers Chapter

https://saskriverssci.com/

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The Saskatchewan Rivers Chapter Safari Club International is a non-profit organization protecting hunters’ rights and promoting wildlife conservation.
HunterCourse.com

Hunter Course SK

Course Link

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A hunter safety education course that can be done all online and at your own pace! Once completed you will receive a Saskatchewan Hunter Education Certificate in the mail.
SACO

Saskatchewan Association of Conservation Officers

https://www.saco.ca/

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SACO is a non-government, non-profit organization that operates solely on the efforts of volunteers. Membership is comprised of active and retired Conservation Officers and other natural resource law enforcement personnel both inside and outside of Saskatchewan. SACO is affiliated with similar officer organizations throughout North America.
Saskatchewan Trappers Association

Saskatchewan Trappers Association

https://saskatchewantrappers.com/

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Composed of trappers and other interested persons, working for trappers and the fur industry in general

We represent all Saskatchewan Trappers Association members. We defend your right to trap and to harvest fur in an honest, humane, and professional manner.

NFA

National Firearms Association

https://nfa.ca/

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NFA exists to promote, support and protect: all safe firearms activities, including the right of self-defence; firearms education for all Canadians; freedom and justice for Canada’s firearms community, and further to advocate for legislative change to protect the right to own and use firearms.
CCFR

Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights

https://firearmrights.ca/

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At the CCFR We are committed to maintaining our current rights and freedoms while continuing to push as a mobilizing and organizational force for positive legislative change. The Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights aims to be a strong and reputable, public-facing voice for Canadian firearms owners.
Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation

The Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation

https://swf.sk.ca/

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The Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation is a non-profit, non-government, charitable organization of over 32,000 members in 125 branches across Saskatchewan representing every walk of life. Per capita, we are the largest wildlife conservation organization of its kind in the world.

“To promote and deliver conservation programming while embracing the need for balanced human relationships with all our environments.”

SWAA

Saskatchewan Wildlife Art Association

https://saskwildlifeart.blogspot.com/

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The Saskatchewan Wildlife Art Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting wildlife, wildlife art and the artists who create it.

SWAA OBJECTIVE

The objective of The Saskatchewan Wildlife Art Association Inc. (SWAA) is to promote the education, development and public appreciation of wildlife art.

The Community Initiatives Fund

https://www.cifsask.org/about/

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CIF is a Special Purpose Fund created by the Government of Saskatchewan through The Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan Corporation Act for the purpose of distributing a portion of the net profits generated by SaskGaming to benefit Saskatchewan people and communities. As defined in the Act, CIF receives 25% of annual net profits less a portion that is shared with the Clarence Campeau Development Fund.

Past Intitiatives

The Hyde Project

The Hyde Project is a parcel of some of the last remaining native habitat in the city of Saskatoon, which was donated to the city by Elmer and Agnes Hyde. Their wish was that the area be developed into an interpretive park, with an extensive network of walking trails...

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Habitat Trust

Established in 1978, the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation Habitat Trust Fund has since protected over 75,000 acres of land. This land is acquired through purchasing identified parcels from land owners directly, or through generous donations. These parcels of land are...

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Hunt 4 Hunger

In partnership with the Saskatoon Food Bank, and the Ministry of the Environment, Hunt 4 Hunger was put together with a goal of providing quality protein to members of the community. Over 14,000 pounds of wild game has been donated since the program began in 2010....

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Community Garden

 

NEW!

As of March 2025 the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation is thrilled to announce the implementation of a new Community Garden! Priority will go to current SWF members then the surrounding community and neighbourhoods. Plots are limited as this will be the first year of breaking ground and setup. Anyone interested in reserving a spot is encouraged to email: events@swildfed.ca for more information.