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If you’re a Manitoban you know how beautiful the outdoors is in every season, and the Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF)is our advocate for those of us who love to fish, hunt, trap or just to enjoy nature in all its glory across our Province.
Each October, the MWF holds its Wild at Heart Gala, their signature fundraiser to support all the different programs, workshops and events held throughout the year.
If you visit their website, you’ll see just how many programs they facilitate!
Since 1944, and with nearly 15,000 members in 100 affiliate clubs throughout the province, the MWF is Manitoba’s oldest and largest conservation organization representing the interests of Manitoba's hunters, anglers, trappers and sport shooters.
“From Learn to Fish programs, to Mentored Hunts, to Becoming an Outdoors Woman Retreat, Learn to Shoot program, Hunters’ Safety, all those things are supported by the funds that are raised at the Wild at Heart Gala,” shares Chris Benson, Program and Events Coordinator for the Manitoba Wildlife Federation.
Benson says supporting programs and ensuring that they’re able to continue advocating for Manitoba hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts, and protecting Manitoba’s natural resources, is what is important to the MWF.
Member recruitment is important to the Federation, as the next generation are the ones who continue to advocate for their own children.
“We need those younger people coming in and taking over the reins for the older generation and to ensure that hunting and fishing traditions in Manitoba can continue on,” shares Benson. “And those young people are going to be biologists, and they’re going to be the Conservation Officers, and they are the people who will be looking after our wildlife in the future.”
“Without that engagement at an early age, they’re not going to have that connection to the outdoors.”
As Program and Events Coordinator for the MWF, Chris Benson has a true passion for mentoring young people in the sport of hunting and fishing. He helps coordinate many mentored hunts across the province and works with the different Fish and Game clubs to help them with their events.
Benson says he spent most of his September weekends helping the different clubs with their mentored hunt programs, including Neepawa, Minnedosa and Oak Hammock Marsh.
“It’s always so rewarding to see that new hunter, or young person go out there and shoot their first duck or shoot their first goose and see the level of pride they have in harvesting that animal and being able to take it home to their family and enjoy it for their Sunday night dinner,” he shares.
“The feedback we get from those new hunters is just incredible,” adds Benson. “They love going out on these activities and I love being there and I love sharing the hunting blind with them, talking with them and sharing my passion with them.”
Being a member of the MWF brings its share of benefits, including an annual subscription to Outdoor Canada, which includes a Manitoba Wildlife Federation insert where you can read the different issues and causes that the MWF is advocating for, such as our Conservation Officers, Chronic Wasting Disease in the cervid population, advocating for our decreasing moose populations, and much more!
Please listen to more with Chris Benson below as he shares more about how membership benefits their programs, and what they do for Manitobans!
“I’d like to share a personal invite to everyone to our Wild at Heart Banquet, Saturday, October 28th at the Victoria Inn in Winnipeg,” says Benson. “Doors open at about 5:00 p.m. You can contact our office to purchase tickets. We are going to have some spectacular prizes and it will be a fantastic evening!”
For more information on the Wild at Heart Gala and upcoming programs and workshops, visit the MWF website: Front Page - Manitoba Wildlife Federation (mwf.mb.ca)
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