SUAMICO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – It bills itself as a chance to learn about duck hunting, and conservation too.
The 17th Youth Waterfowl Day is happening on August 7.
At the Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve in Suamico, a five-year old yellow Labrador retriever named Truck is perfecting its practice by picking a dead fowl training dummy and bringing it toward shore.
“The Youth Waterfowl Day is a chance for our community’s youth to come on out and experience what it’s like to be a waterfowl hunter, and experience the great outdoors,” said Matt Kriese, Brown County Parks Director.
Kriese says the event features five stations, including dog handling, field hunting, and even duck calling too. The day is geared toward those aged 10-16, but anyone may attend.
“We encourage parents to stay with their youngster, and follow along, and the parents will learn just as much as their children will,” said Kriese.
The Green Bay Duck Hunters Association is organizing the day. The group’s president Roger Hanson says the event is designed to reach beyond the thrill of the hunt.
“If we get 60 kids out here, and six of them grow up to be duck hunters, that’s a win situation for us. But if 59 of them go home and say, I know the value of a wetland, or can identify a grebe, or a kingfisher or a non-target species when I’m hunting with my uncle, so that’s the value,” said Roger Hanson, Green Bay Duck Hunters Association President.
Matt Kriese agrees.
“If we’re not doing our job as adults and leaders to get these kids involved, encouraged and activated into this sport, we’re not doing our part,” he said.
The event is free, but pre-registration is required.
Participants get a free hat, a t-shirt, a duck call, and even lunch.
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