Category: News

Wahpeton Daily News – September 6, 2024

By Wayne Beyer

The upcoming hunting seasons are opportunities for outdoorsmen to mentor young hunters.

The Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club (RRASC) offers a Youth Waterfowl Hunt on Saturday, Sept. 14 and a Youth Pheasant Hunt on Saturday, Oct. 5. Kevin Manock / ducks and Mark Althoff / pheasants both organize super mentored hunts that include trap shooting practice, identification, safety, ethics, a box of shotgun shells, delicious breakfasts, game processing and lifetime memories. Both youths and mentors can register at rrasc.net.

Mentoring young hunters continues an important outdoor recreation tradition. Consider mentoring your child, grandchild, a relative, the neighbor kid or guide somebody new at the RRASC hunts.

Anytime we can get a child outdoors and hunting is a gift. Egg yolk sunrises with orange skies are best seen peering from the camouflage of cattails alongside a prairie pothole. Walking the prairie for ring-necked pheasants, immersed in browning grasslands habitat, is why October is treasured. Mentors can help foster a love for the outdoors.

Mentors teach youths the right things about hunting, including ethics. Sportsmen only shoot at what they will consume or use. There will be other wildlife like cormorants, muskrats and blackbirds around, only to be observed. All birds and animals have their place in nature. One of the most fun aspects of mentoring youths is identifying other wildlife.

Mentors are valuable to teach patience, letting young hunters know ranges, the right time to shoot and identification. Fair chase is important so youths act responsibly and respectfully.

Safe hunting practices need to be emphasized. Youths are required to have hunter education certification. There are no second chances after the trigger is pulled so mentors are diligent about safety. Dogs are often used for quality hunting that brings other important safety measures.

Mentoring hunters afield offers many teachable moments about the value of conservation and healthy habitat. Duck hunting is fantastic on Waterfowl Production Area sloughs that have been purchased with hunters’ duck stamp purchases. Pheasant hunting is often on private land like the youth hunt on the farm land of Chuck Haus, Hankinson, a superb conservationist.

Mentors model the importance for respecting the environment, picking up after themselves, including spent shotgun shells. They even pick up after anybody who has left any litter.

Every hunt has fun, memorable times. Learning to call ducks takes time and experience so might as well start. Blue-winged teal will fly through the decoys at 45 mph. A ring-necked rooster will cackle and bust cover a few feet away.

Take pictures in the field. Cell phones make it easy. Starting a journal or scrapbook is something that will be treasured later in life.

Appetites are ravenous after outdoors exercise and pancake and sausage breakfasts are gobbled up. It is a good time for young hunters to bond, enjoy social time and swap stories.

Take time to show young hunters how to process game. Roasted duck, stir fry pheasant and pheasant dumpling soup are tasty recipes.

Volunteering to be a hunting mentor is time to give back. Consider it payback for the mentors in your life.

Mentoring a young hunter is one of the best investments a sportsman can make to ensure hunting for the next generation.

Annual Vince Herding Spring Fishing Derby Draws Families for Fun in the Outdoors

The Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club (RRASC) held its annual Vince Herding Spring Fishing Derby on Saturday, May 4th. This event, which has been a tradition for over three decades, welcomed boys and girls aged 18 and under to Kidder Recreation Area for a day of angling excitement.

With the sun shining down, approximately 65 youth and their families gathered along the riverbanks to cast their lines. The event, which honors the memory of one of the RRASC’s founding members, Vince Herding, was a testament to his community spirit and love for the outdoors.

Participants were treated to lunch and the chance to reel in trophies for the top catches across various fish categories and age groups. Moreover, everyone who took part went home with a thank-you bag filled with goodies courtesy of the RRASC. Here are some of the top placers:

Largest fish caught in each age group:

• 6 & under – Max Isom 8.5 lb. Catfish 
• 7 to 12 – Finn Reddy 12.25 lb. Catfish
• 13 to 18 – Ciara Nguamsanith 2.75 lb. White Sucker

Casting contest winners (closest to the target):

• 6 & under – Grantley Kruger 7’2”
• 7 to 12 – Oliver Hoffert 1’2”
• 13 to 18 – Kenna Manock 4’2”

The event’s success wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of sponsors and contributors. From local businesses to community organizations, their contributions played a vital role in making the day memorable for everyone involved.

The RRASC extends its heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed, recognizing their role in supporting not only this event but also the club’s ongoing efforts to provide free activities for children and champion conservation initiatives across Richland and Wilkin Counties, as well as North Dakota and Minnesota.

Thank you to Smith Tire & Tread, Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative, Minn-Kota Ag Products, Inc., Doosan Bobcat, Wahpeton Kiwanis, Wahpeton Optimist Club, Comstock Construction Inc., Bremer Bank, Red River Valley & Western Railroad, Heitkamp Construction, Farmers Union Insurance – Kyle Devries, FlexTM, Hornstein Family Chiropractic, State Farm Insurance – Amanda Fredricks, Bell Bank, Wahpeton Lion’s Club, McDonald’s, Burkett Custom Knives, Old 81 Gourmet / JC’s Smoked Spitz, Fastenal, Wahpeton Deli, EconoFoods, Blazer Express, ND Game & Fish.

For more information about the RRASC and its upcoming events, visit www.RRASC.net, and stay updated by following them on Facebook and Instagram.

We extend our gratitude to all our members who generously dedicate their time to our organization and community. The individuals mentioned here are just a few examples of the deserving members who wholeheartedly support our club’s mission.

Thank you to Tom and Kathy for attending and sharing stories and updates about the Chahinkapa Zoo.

2024 Sportsperson of the Year

• Justin Kratz
• Becci Truesdell
• Cindie Van Tassel

Lifetime Achievement

• Abby Carlson
• Heitkamp Construction – Gary Page

Landowner / Conservationist

• Clint Arndt

Distinguished Service Award

• Dave & Katie Pauly

2024 Wayne Beyer Scholarship

• Joe Pfaff

Wahpeton Daily News – Submitted by Becci Truesdell

In the wake of the passing of Denis Luebke, his wife Rhonda McGee Luebke wrote a heartfelt letter to the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club, outlining a special request to honor her husband’s memory.

Denis, a passionate outdoorsman originally from Mantador, North Dakota, had a love for hunting, fishing, snaring and trapping, and many other hobbies that got him into the great outdoors. In fact, he and Rhonda met during a hunting trip.

Rhonda’s letter, received by the club last month, expressed her desire to continue Denis’ legacy by supporting the club’s youth-focused outdoor initiatives. In a gesture of generosity, she enclosed a $1,000 check, earmarked specifically for youth activities and projects within the club. Her intention was made clear during the club’s March meeting, where her letter was read aloud, ensuring all members understood her wishes.

Moved by Rhonda’s gesture and dedicated to honoring Denis’ memory, the club is now in the process of developing plans to utilize her gift effectively. The aim is to maintain and expand youth-oriented events while paying homage to Denis’ passion for the outdoors.

As a testament to the club’s tradition of camaraderie and respect, a living tribute will be established at the Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge, where a tree will be planted in Denis’ honor.

Expressing profound gratitude, the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club acknowledges Rhonda’s trust in their commitment to providing quality outdoor experiences for young people. Central to the club’s mission is the propagation of outdoor heritage, passing down a love for nature to future generations. Rhonda’s contribution will play a vital role in fulfilling this mission.

The club extends an invitation to all who share their passion for the outdoors to join their cause. Whether as donors or active participants, individuals are encouraged to contribute to the preservation and celebration of outdoor enthusiasts’ legacies.

For more information on how to get involved or donate, visit www.rrasc.net and become part of the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club’s mission to propagate our outdoor heritage.

Wahpeton Daily News

Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club board member Cindie Van Tassel presented a $500 check to Lidgerwood, N.D., archery coach Eric Trittin. The presentation was made Sunday, April 7, during Lidgerwood archery’s freewill hotdish and silent auction fundraiser. Sixteen youth will travel to Sandy, Utah, to participate in the National Archery Tournament on April 26-27. Congratulations to the youth shooters and coaches.

Courtesy Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club

Wahpeton Daily News – By Wayne Beyer

Fishing, a lifetime activity, has always been a priority, just like youth sports, with Wahpeton Parks and Recreation.

I am reminded of the importance of mentoring fishing to young children, watching four-year-old grandson Jack skillfully cast his Zebco 202 spincast reel while we bobber fish along shorelines for bluegills.

The Twin Towns are fortunate to have a fishery like the Bois de Sioux, Otter Tail and Red rivers that flow through the cities. The rivers are big enough to hold fish, yet small enough to cast across that any fish could be caught. They provide year-round outdoor recreation.

It was always exciting to see children bicycling to river hotspots with a rod and reel flung over their handlebars. Same thrills seeing elders make their way down the bank!

We have been fortunate to benefit from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGF). Our fishing licenses are great investments. Bob Frohlich, NDGF Fisheries Development Supervisor who manages grants, has been especially helpful.

Fishing piers are placed on the Red River across the swim pool in Chahinkapa Park, just north of equipment sheds along the Bois de Sioux Golf Course and at the Kidder Recreation Area between the rock rapids and Highway 210 North bridge.

The Kidder Recreation Area low head dam was the second rock retrofitted dam on the Red River. The final dam at Drayton was renovated this past year so fish migration is possible from Canada to its confluence in Breckenridge-Wahpeton. Welcome, giant channel catfish!

Larry Brunkhorst visioned a wildlife club that could support fishing. The Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club (RRASC) was a perfect partner for Parks-Recreation to start youth fishing derbies.

The Vince Herding Spring Fishing Derby is scheduled on the first May Saturday. Vince Herding, long-time RRASC president, was all smiles when kids came fishing. With his rosy red cheeks, he was like a year-round Santa Claus with young children.

The Dick Bell Catfish Tournament started with the Carousel Days Festival on the first June Saturday. It was remarkable to see Dick’s patience as he showed young fishermen how to tie knots with their monofilament line near Wahpper, the world’s largest channel catfish.

Brunkhorst relished that you never really knew what was on the line in the river until the fish was lifted out of the water. “Brunk” was hilarious when he imitated a fat-lipped carp so RRASC coined “Brunk’s Carp and Sucker Derby” to celebrate catching non-game fish.

Ice fishing derbies started on the rivers, sometimes during sucker runs visible under the ice. The Neil Heitkamp Ice Fishing Derby, now championed by Gary Page and his dedicated Heitkamp Construction crew, attracts hundreds at its mid-February event on Heitkamp Pond.

Shoreline fishing and accessibility have benefitted from several NDGF grants. Roger Jensen designed concrete fishing platforms after observing his father’s desire to keep fishing. It was Brunk’s idea to add steps by the rock rapids instead of traversing rock riprap.

NDGF grants supported the Kidder Recreation boat ramp and dock, fish cleaning station and stabilizing several shoreline fishing areas. Every single river project needed a Corps of Engineers permit, sometimes a lengthy process.

The North Dakota Sportfishing Congress supported legislative funding for addressing Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) that included a grant for a boat cleaning station at the Kidder Recreation Area. Zebra mussels made their way to North Dakota from the Otter Tail River to the Red River. Shucks!

Canoes and kayaks were obtained from North Dakota Surplus and locals to be available for rentals to fish open water in the area. NDGF sponsored a “Rod and Reel Loaner Program” where our inventory started. Fly fishing rods and reels were obtained from a NDGF volunteer class.

The Junior Wildlife Club often capitalizes on fishing. Its first activity was a presentation by professional fisherman Mike Miller. Youths have learned to make jigs and cast from mentors.

Reasons to take kids fishing are endless, including fun, getting outdoors, family bonding time, wildlife observation, nature exploration and relaxation. Fish taste delicious and are high in protein. Catfish are revered in Texas, just like North Dakota, and often featured at restaurants. 

The Vince Herding Spring Fishing Derby is scheduled at the Kidder Recreation Area from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturday, May 4. Fishing equipment and bait are available, if needed. Melissa Schumacher and Becci Truesdell, Vince’s daughters, and Rich Truesdell do a super job. Don’t miss an opportunity for children to fish the great Red River of the North.

Wahpeton Daily News – submitted by the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club

Congratulations go out to Hudson Miller. Not long ago, Hudson participated in the 2023 Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club’s Youth Pheasant Hunt. Hudson’s pheasant was selected out of the birds that were harvested to be mounted. As you can see by the picture, it is a fine-looking bird. Local taxidermist Jeff Schwartz mounted the bird and he also covered half of the cost, with the sportsman’s club covering the remaining.

The annual Youth Pheasant Hunt was held on Sept. 30, 2023, which coincided with the North Dakota Game & Fish Department’s youth pheasant hunting season dates. The sportsmen’s club has an active working partnership with landowners Chuck and Chari Haus of rural Hankinson, North Dakota, and it was a privilege for the club to bring 15 young hunters to the Haus’ property for this much anticipated hunt.

The day started with a safety meeting, overview of the property, demonstrations on how to hunt with dogs, and instruction for the hunters and mentors as to how the day would progress. All the hunters had opportunities to harvest birds and had fun watching the dogs as they worked the cover.

Following the hunt, there was a demonstration of the techniques of cleaning the birds. The hunters, mentors, parents and volunteers were served a pancake and sausage breakfast.

Many individuals and businesses were also partners with the sportsmen’s club to insure this was a fun day for the hunters, and their contributions need to be recognized. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for assisting with the purchasing of shells, Dean Belmore of Belmore and Sons for donating a shotgun to the event, (won by McKenna Manock following a drawing from the names on the attendance roster), Steve Manock of Manock Meats in Great Bend, North Dakota, for donating the sausage for the breakfast. Brad Glarum from the Richland Renegade Tom’s chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation brought a number of prizes that were handed out to all the hunters and Corteva for supplying the blaze orange caps for all the hunters. Additionally, the Mooreton Sportsman’s Club opened the Joe Pikarski Trap Range the day before the actual hunt so the hunters could get in some practice.

A big thank you goes to the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club for planning and scheduling the event, to club member Mark Althoff who was the event chairperson, to the club members that volunteered to assist with the hunt and cooking the breakfast. It was a pleasure to have Chuck and Cheri Haus host the annual youth hunt and our appreciation goes to the many mentors and parents that helped the hunters have a fun and successful day. Because of the support this hunt receives from the local community, it is offered to the hunters at no cost.

Plans are in the works for the 2024 Youth Pheasant Hunt, tentatively scheduled for Oct. 5, 2024. Keep watch on the www.rrasc.net website for details.

Greg Gerou, Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club

Feb 26, 2024 – Wahpeton Daily News

With favorable weather leading up to Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, Heitkamp Construction, together with the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club, organized the annual Neil Heitkamp Youth Ice Fishing Derby.

The derby was held on the property owned by Heitkamp Construction at 18205 Red River Road. It was open to any young “fisherperson” 18 years of age and younger. Both boys and girls were welcome.

Prior to the event, both Heitkamp Construction and the Sportsmen’s Club were checking ice conditions, wanting to insure everyone would be safe as they had fun catching fish and enjoying the day.

Using Heitkamp’s Pond for the derby has been a tradition for many years. The derby has a growing reputation and it brought members of the North Dakota Wildlife Federation to assist with the event. NDWF President Kerry Whipp and NDWF Executive Director John Bradley were put to work clearing holes, helping with registration and handout the hot dogs. Kerry also took a lot of pictures.

Registration started at 12 p.m., and as the young anglers registered, they were given a door prize of an Ugly Stick ice fishing rod and reel. Age groups were 0-6 boys and girls, 7-11 boys and girls and 12-18 boys and girls, with approximately 160 in attendance along with parents and grandparents. During the entire derby, the Heitkamp Construction Crew served hot chocolate, hot dogs and cookies for everyone enjoyment.

The derby’s fishing started at 1 p.m., and this year’s event brought in more than 100 fish to be registered before the derby ended at 3 p.m. The event was catch and release, so as soon as the fish were brought in and measured, they were released back into the pond.

Trophies were given for the best crappie, perch, sunfish and walleye. Each category had first, second and third place winners, with each receiving a trophy and gift cards. First place in the categories were:

• Crappie — Rylan Gunnerson with a 15-½ inch fish
• Perch – Mila Hought with a 10-¾ inch fish
• Sunfish – Nora Nelson with an 8-¼ inch fish
• Walleye – Westyn Helfenstein with a 16-½ in fish.

The 16-1/2 inch walleye named Lyle, caught by three-year-old Helfenstein, was the largest fish of the day. To Westyn’s great surprise, she also won an ice fishing container filled with $200 in tackle presented by Gary Page, owner of Heitkamp Construction.

There was also a prize given out for the smallest fish measured, which was a 4-½ inch perch caught by Luke Isom. Luke received a handmade ice fishing rod and a large ice fishing rod storage container.

At the end of the event, names were drawn for a grand prize in each of the registration age groups, which included portable ice fishing shanties, underwater cameras and gift cards. The days prizes also included five hand-built ice fishing rods donated by Lonnie Wurst of Richland Custom Rods out of Barney, North Dakota.

A huge thank you goes to Gary Page, the owner of Heitkamp Construction, for allowing the derby to be held on their private pond. A special thank you goes to Butch Stollenwerk, Jon Hegge and the Heitkamp Construction crew for collecting the door prizes and their many friends that came out to help with the event.

The Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club was a working partner, turning out a number of volunteers, providing bait and loaner ice fishing rods. Cindie Van Tassel was the club’s coordinator, working with Heitkamp Construction to insure everything ran smoothly during the event. The Wahpeton Parks and Rec Department supplied tables, chairs, made the trophies and the provided safety cones for the parking areas.

Thank you to the Wahpeton and Breckenridge, Minnesota, communities and many generous businesses that provided prizes for the anglers. This year, the Heitkamp Derby even got some television air time on Valley News Live’s “North Dakota Nice” when Amanda Kosior talked about the derby and all its activities.

The kids had a great time, which made this year’s Neil Heitkamp Youth Ice Fishing Derby such a big success.

By Frank Stanko Daily News

Feb 19, 2024

One-hundred-seventy-six youth were registered for the 19th Annual Neil E. Heitkamp Youth Ice Fishing Derby. They caught approximately 175 fish, with many of the youth having a great time along the way. This year’s derby took place Saturday, Feb. 17 on Heitkamp Pond.

This year’s anglers included Westyn Helfenstein, 3, Foxhome, Minnesota, who came in first for two categories. Lyle, a 16 1/2-inch walleye named by Helfenstein, won the girl the best in walleye and largest fish categories. Helfenstein came with her mom, Alisha.

“Westyn received an ice fishing pail with more than $200 worth of ice fishing equipment,” the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club announced Monday, Feb. 19.

Helfenstein also came in second for the walleye category, with a 13-inch fish caught. The third place rank went to Emily Andrews, who caught a 12 1/2-inch walleye.

In addition to walleyes, there were winners in the perch, sunfish and crappie categories. The perch catches were led by Milo Hough’s 10 3/4-inch catch, followed by Aiden Luna’s 10 1/2-inch catch and Leana Ascheman’s 10-inch catch.

The sunfish catches were led by Nora Nelson’s 8 1/4-inch catch, followed by Joshua Barth’s 8-inch catch and Rylan Gunnerson’s 7 1/2-inch catch. Gunnerson came in first for the crappie catches with a 15 1/2-inch catch. He was followed by Ella Snyder’s 13 1/2-inch catch and Colt Besette’s 13-inch catch.

Ranking as the lowest catch overall was a 4 1/2-inch perch caught by Luke Isom. Still, Isom was a winner. He received an handmade ice fishing road and a large ice fishing rod storage container.

“All first place winners received a trophy and a handcrafted ice fishing rod made by Lonnie Wurst,” the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club announced. “Second place winners all received a trophy and a $20 gift card. Third place winners all received a trophy and a $10 gift card.”

There were also several grand prize winners based on anglers’ ages. Sam Sandry and Taia Krogh each won a $50 gift card and portable ice fishing shelter for being the top boy and girl in the 0-6 age range. James Svailes won a portable ice fishing shelter for being the top boy in the 7-11 age range. Scarlette Davis won an underwater camera for being the top girl in the 7-11 age range. Finally, Joel Bultema and Kenna Manock won a portable fish house and an underwater camera, respectively, for being the tops in the 12-18 age range.

  Winning was not everything on Saturday, however. There were also opportunities for fun, like when Denver Leinen, 5, Hankinson, North Dakota, made an ice angel. Duan Van Der Merwe, 14, whose family is visiting Wahpeton from South Africa, got to walk on the ice for the first time.

“We just want to give a huge thank you to the generous various businesses, individuals, friends and employees of Heitkamp Construction and the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club for putting together another wonderful event for the youth in our community,” derby organizers said Monday.

Additional photos from the derby will run in Thursday’s Daily News.

By North Dakota Wildlife Federation

Jan. 31, 2024 – Wahpeton Daily News

The North Dakota Wildlife Federation (NDWF) recognized several area sportsmen and women at their annual convention, held Jan. 6, 2024, in Fargo, North Dakota.

Rebecca “Becci” Truesdell, a member of the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club in Wahpeton, was recognized as the “2024 Sportswoman of the Year.”

“Truesdell is the driving force behind the club’s annual fundraising event, the co-chair for the club’s annual youth fishing derby, and manages the club’s website,” NDWF President Kerry Whipp said. “Becci is committed to the success of the many Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club’s events and programs.”

Whipp also recognized outdoor writer Brad Dokken, Grand Forks as the “Conservation Communicator of the Year.” Dokken’s outdoor articles cover hunting and fishing adventures and topics in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Canada.

“Brad, writing for the Grand Forks Herald, has become something of an ‘endangered species’ as the only outdoor writer for a daily newspaper in the state,” Whipp said. “His writing brings the sights, smells, and sounds of his outdoor forays to his readers.”

Federation Executive Director John Bradley presented the Cass County Wildlife Club with the “2024 Affiliate Club of the Year” award.

The Cass County Club owns and maintains a trap range and rifle range that are open to the public. Club members teach hunter education classes, host youth hunting and fishing events, and support local “Archery in the Schools” programs.

“Cass County also has partnerships with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Cass County Park Board to develop and maintain habitat and recreation facilities on local wildlife management and fishing areas,” Bradley said.

Rodney O’Clair, Jamestown, North Dakota, was given a “Special Recognition” award for his work as treasurer of the Federation, being a long-time board of directors member, and his work representing the North Dakota Hunter Education Association.