Category: News

By Frank Stanko • Daily News franks@wahpetondailynews.com Apr 28, 2023 

Sportsmanship is not limited to only men, a principle the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club (RRASC) celebrated Thursday, April 27 in Wahpeton.

RRASC’s 36th Annual Awards Banquet marked the first time that the Sportsman of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards were both given to women. Club Secretary Mary Rausch is Sportswoman of the Year. Rebecca Truesdell, 2013-14’s Sportswoman of the Year, is the new Lifetime Achievement honoree.

President Greg Gerou, himself the recipient of the Sportsman of the Year, Lifetime Achievement and Lifetime Member awards, spoke proudly of Rausch and Truesdell.

“Mary has done a great role in her role as secretary, and has worked with other board members and committee chairs to ensure their information is communicated to the members and the local media,” Gerou said. “She works closely with the club’s social media to ensure the club events are published.”

Soon after the ceremony, Rausch posed with Truesdell, Gerou and her nearly two-year-old daughter Kamryn. Family was celebrated throughout the RRASC awards, including the lead-up to Truesdell’s win.

“Following in the footstep of her father, past Club President Vince Herding, she has assumed the role of event coordinator similar to what Vince did before his passing,” Gerou said. “The task of tracking, managing and cataloging the many donations, sponsorships and gifts made to the club’s annual Sportsmen’s Smoker is critical to the success of the event.”

Having a successful Sportsmen’s Smoker allows the RRASC to achieve its mission of providing quality outdoor experiences for Southern Red River Valley youth. Gerou and other club members are grateful for Truesdell’s leadership.

“Although she is not the only person involved in the planning and scheduling of the Smoker, she does provide a cohesiveness for the others to draw on. Along with her husband Rich and sister Melissa, she is co-chair for our annual Vince Herding Youth Fishing Derby,” Gerou said.

The 2023 Vince Herding Youth Fishing Derby will be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 6 at Kidder Recreation Area in Wahpeton. A free event for youth ages 18 and under, the derby will include fishing until 12 p.m., a casting contest beginning at 11 a.m. and an hour of food and door prizes.

For nearly 40 years, RRASC has continued to promote and support quality youth outdoor experiences. As of Thursday, April 27, more than 3,500 participants have taken part in nearly 250 junior wildlife events, followed by more than 10,000 participants in nearly 160 fishing derbies and nearly 680 participants in more than 40 youth hunts.

“I would like to express my personal appreciation to both the past and present members of our board of directors, for their dedication to the RRASC,” Gerou said. “They include Vice President Brad Glarum, Secretary Mary Rausch, Treasurer Greg Braun and Directors Cindie VanTassel, Rich Truesdell and Kelly Carlson.”

By Wayne Beyer Dec 17, 2022 

The Pareto 80-20 Principle means that 20% of any group does 80% of the actual work. Consider raising your hand and being in that 20%.

From a kindergarten classroom to retirement years, there are many opportunities to get involved.

Organizations need every member they can get. The reality is people have very busy schedules nowadays. Modern technology makes us accessible at every moment. Dues paying members are showing their support, albeit a modest way. Appreciate those who raise their hands.

There are many local citizens who have raised their hands. A great example is Norma Nosek, Mrs. Bagg Farm, whose life we recently celebrated. She dedicated countless hours to volunteer for many activities. We were fortunate to taste garden delicacies preserved like the greatest generation lady she modeled.

Every volunteer is somebody who raised their hand.

Successful organizations have many people who raise their hands. A super example is the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club, one of the most successful wildlife clubs around. They are fortunate to be led by President Greg Gerou, who raises two hands and shows up for everything.

Sportsmen’s Club members raise their hands to support seven board positions, manage four fishing derbies and three youth hunts, serve as club representatives for the North Dakota Wildlife Federation, organize the wildly successful Hunters Smoker, offer a Junior Wildlife Club, keep multiple social media up-to-date, support Red River and Mooreton Pond projects, partner with large wildlife organizations like the Wild Turkey Federation and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, teach hunter education and coach shooting sports like archery and trap shooting.

If you have special skills, non-profits and government agencies really benefit when you raise your hand.

We have been fortunate that Roger Jensen, who has incredible visionary, architecture, drawing, building design and landscaping skills raised his hand many times over his life to create plans for zoo facilities, picnic shelters, sports facilities, art galleries and maintenance buildings. He is like Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed New York City’s Central Park.

Joe Schreiner, whom we tease as the Halsey Hall of Wahpeton, has a terrific baseball voice, knowledge of the game and a passion for kids playing baseball. He has volunteered for several years as a baseball announcer after his son’s American Legion baseball career ended. Joe is so good that he has been a sub announcer for the Fargo Red Hawks.

Maybe you are a caring person who would be a positive mentor for the Kinship Program?

It is more fun to be involved with organizations when you are active. I love writing, record-keeping, retaining history and details. Consequently, I raised my hand to be the scribe (secretary-treasurer) for groups like Babe Ruth baseball, Tri-State Safety and Arts Council. You meet many phenomenal people. It is fair to say that volunteers often get more in return than they gave.

Sometimes long-time members need to take their turn at leadership positions. It was good to see a Wahpeton name in the officer history lists of state organizations like Parks-Recreation, Forestry, Horticulture and Wildlife Federation.

Youth sports need many parents and supporters to raise their hands to coach, serve Boards, organize fundraisers, host quality games and tournaments and support their children.

There are local volunteers like Mary Ann Conrad, Janet Gagelin, Judy Oren and Cindie VanTassel who raise their hands for several organizations.

Chahinkapa Zoo, service clubs, Parks-Recreation, Red Door Art Gallery, Arts Council, Historical Societies and numerous non-profits are only as efficient as their volunteers.

Be brave. Raise your hand high.

Wayne Beyer is the retired director of Wahpeton Parks and Recreation.

By Wayne Beyer Dec 3, 2022 

The Red River of the North connects the sister cities of Breckenridge, Minnesota, and Wahpeton, North Dakota. We are blessed with local partnerships to benefit citizens with the arts, health, leisure, natural resources, physical fitness, recreation and sports.

The Bois de Sioux Golf Course is a shining star, the only known course in the United States with nine holes in two states. Superintendent Jake Richels and Head Pro Dustin Harris have done spectacular work for a finely manicured grounds and well-organized golfing opportunities for people of all ages, attested by the late Heb Diederick when he was 100 years old.

It makes sense to combine sports when numbers are desirable for a quality program. Kudos to B-W Blades Hockey, Three Rivers Gymnastics, Southern Valley Figure Skating Club and Twin Town Archery Club who have offered youth recreation activities for many years on their own nickel. The Head of the Red Youth Activities Association does a wonderful job offering dual-city activities at Stern Arena.

Jim Sturdevant worked very hard for four decades to offer a fifth and sixth grade football program for Wahpeton, Breckenridge and surrounding area youths. The Optimists Club sponsors an annual Twin Town Track Meet.

Artists from the surrounding region meet at the Red Door Art Gallery, local home for the arts on Dakota Avenue. One of the fun public presentations is when students from Breckenridge and Wahpeton schools are featured with a youth art show.

The Three Rivers Arts Council maximizes funding from both states to offer Music in the Park, murals and sculptures in the Twin Towns. World Fest brought musicians from around the world to both school systems. The Headwaters Music Festival sponsored outdoor music at Breckenridge and Wahpeton venues. Music offered by Christmas and Easter cantatas, Alphean Male Chorus and Community Band are wonderful Twin Town concerts.

The Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club offers outdoor activities for Wilkin-Richland youths. This fall, the Canada goose hunt was held near Breckenridge while the pheasant and duck hunts were on the North Dakota side. The Junior Wildlife Club offers a conservation activity each month for Twin Town youths at many area outdoor locations.

Duplication is not needed if a single event can handle the masses. A single Easter Egg Hunt is held at the Breckenridge Middle School, sponsored by Breckenridge Community Education. They do a super job offering a variety of fun activities.

The public schools should be commended for combining sports. If there are enough athletes for separate teams, that allows for more participation. But when needed, consolidation keeps programs alive or provides opportunities for more, like wrestling, cross country, fastpitch softball, swimming, hockey and gymnastics.

A sidewalk on the Dakota Avenue bridge connects Breckenridge/Wahpeton trails and park systems. Cross-country ski trails follow the golf course contour on both sides of the river.

Adult recreation activities like softball, basketball and volleyball are offered openly to residents in both states. There is no such thing as non-resident fees. OK Tire Store/Bridgestone sponsor a bowling tournament for Richland/Wilkin County Special Olympics athletes.

Chahinkapa Zoo benefits from both states. Tewaukon Refuge, Cayuga, North Dakota, and Prairie Wetlands Learning Center, Fergus Falls, Minnesota, are key Blue Goose Days sponsors.

Public access to the rivers has worked well with a Minnesota ramp on the Bois de Sioux River and North Dakota ramp on the Red River. It is fun to see the ice fishing village when fishermen from both states enjoy hot walleye bites.

The Tri-State Safety Association offers safety training for the tri-state area. The Kinship Program has always been a dual-city mentoring program. The Health Watch and Healthy Communities ran their course but offered coop Soup Walks, bicycle rides and Wildlife Walks.

There are many other examples. The Twin Towns do it better together.

Wayne Beyer is the retired director of Wahpeton Parks and Recreation.

By Frank Stanko • Daily News franks@wahpetondailynews.com Oct 28, 2022 

The Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club (RRASC) is declaring the 33rd annual Sportsmen’s Smoker a phenomenal success.

Held beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, the Smoker resulted in a packed house at the Wahpeton Community Center. It was not long before there were only a few open chairs.

“Once the doors opened, the games, raffles and boards were enjoyed by the numerous guests in attendance,” Club President Greg Gerou said. “Many of them sold out in a very short time.”

The early part of the Smoker included 10 meat raffles, with each round having three winners. Each ticket was sold for $1. For that $1, a guest could have ended up a first choice winner, receiving the option of either 10 pounds of pork ribs, five pounds of bacon or two full pork loins. The second choice winner got to decide between the remaining prize packages and the third choice winner received the last prize package.

“Next came the season opener raffle, giving the guests their first chance at winning a quality rifle package. From the ticket sales, the early bird drawing gave the winner a Winchester SXP 12-gauge shotgun,” Gerou said.

From there, guests could take part in the personal protection board game, which gave the winner the choice of a Canik handgun package in either black or brown colors.

Individuals who won firearms were escorted to the northwest room of the Wahpeton Community Center. There, Dave Pauly of Western Machining & Engineering conducted the required Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) background checks and registration.

“Firearms did not leave the building without a successful completion of this registration,” Gerou said.

Three shotguns that could be used by youth were given away during the evening. They included a Mossberg model 20-gauge in camouflage, donated by Belmore & Sons, with audience members Dean and Trudy Bellmore recognized.

“All young hunters that participated in our fall goose, waterfowl and pheasant hunts were in the drawing for the first gun,” Gerou said.

The second shotgun’s eligible recipients included all the hunters who participated in RRASC’s youth pheasant hunt. The item was a Winchester SXP Hunter, a 20-gauge. It was donated by Mark Althoff and Korey Skovholt. Both men were recognized and Althoff received the recognition in person.

Finally, a Tristar 410 hunter was donated by Chuck and Cheri Haus and Clint and Cindy Arndt, who were all in attendance and received recognition. The gun, which came with a quality soft-sided case provided by Post Hardware of Hankinson, North Dakota, was available to all youth hunters who participated in recent pheasant hunts. This includes hunts offered by RRASC and the Richland County Wildlife Club, Hankinson.

“Congratulations to the winners,” Gerou said. “Since the recipients were under the age of 18, their parents went through the FFL background checks and registration on their behalf.”

Sportsmen’s Smoker guests, who bought event tickets to support RRASC, were treated to a fun night including wild game stew, wild game chili, meat and cheese trays and other goodies.

“The remainder of the night was filled with more winners. We had multiple gun boards, an ice fishing equipment board, a spin the wheel game, a dice game, a cartridge game, multiple Joker’s Wild raffles, a mystery gun raffle and Plinko,” Gerou said.

RRASC’s general raffle included 160 items, followed by a ladies’ raffle including 30 items. Prizes for both raffles included firearms. There were also a party coolers raffle, resulting in two separate winners taking home a high end cooler and its contents, plus a Chahinkapa Zoo-themed raffle.

“We were dedicated to supporting the zoo and ensuring our commitment to our zoo partner,” Gerou said. “Our first Joker’s Wild raffle was very special this year. The top prize was a Christensen Arms Mesa rifle package, including a Vortex scope and bipod. It was donated by T&G Sanitation of Hankinson.”

The Smoker included recognition of RRASC’s many local partners including Chahinkapa Zoo, the Richland County Wildlife Club, the Richland Renegade Toms, a chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation based out of Mooreton, North Dakota, T&G Sanitation and the North Dakota Wildlife Federation of Bismarck, North Dakota.

“We also recognized the Southeast North Dakota Community Action Partners, based out of Fargo, which helps us with the Sportsmen Against Hunger program. We’re able to provide wild game meat to the Richland Wilkin Food Pantry,” Gerou said.

For 2022, RRASC initiated a sponsorship program. Donors received memberships in the club, Smoker tickets and a ticket package towards the general raffle. This year included 17 sponsors and Gerou said the club is especially grateful for the support.

“A big thank you goes out to everyone who helped with the Smoker, purchased tickets, joined us for a fun evening and played the many raffles and games,” Gerou said. “The successful Smoker gives RRASC a solid financial base to continue or work of providing quality outdoor experiences for this area’s young people.”

By Frank Stanko • Daily News franks@wahpetondailynews.com Oct 14, 2022 Updated Nov 21, 2022 

Sportsmen’s Smoker visitors will dine on wild game chili and stew. It will be available at no extra cost and served until it is gone. There will also be no shortage of raffles, including ones exclusive to women, offered to the general audience and exclusively offering local meat. Gun boards and games will also compete with the raffles for audience members’ attention.

While the public is always invited to the Sportsmen’s Smoker — “Bring your friends for a night of fun!,” a poster reads — guests must be 18 or older to attend on their own. Young visitors are required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Tickets cost $20.

Sportsmen’s Smoker visitors will dine on wild game chili and stew. It will be available at no extra cost and served until it is gone. There will also be no shortage of raffles, including ones exclusive to women, offered to the general audience and exclusively offering local meat. Gun boards and games will also compete with the raffles for audience members’ attention.

Proceeds from the Sportsmen’s Smoker will be used to support local youth programs, wildlife projects and Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton.

Early Bird tickets are available until Thursday, Oct. 20. Those tickets will be entered into an additional gun raffle. For more information, call:

• Curt Mund at 701-640-3857
• Rich Truesdell at 701-640-5136 or
• Kelly Carlson at 218-766-1396

To learn more about the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club, visit www.rrasc.net. Club information will also be available at the Smoker.

RRASC President Greg Gerou visited Daily News to talk more about the Sportsmen’s Smoker and the club’s role in the southern valley.

“Our club could not do the many project that we are involved in without the funds from this event,” Gerou said. “Without the support of local businesses and organizations, our Smoker would not be the success it is.”

Projects and organizations that benefit from or are possible thanks to Sportsmen’s Smoker profits include development along and access to the Red, Otter Tail and Bois de Sioux rivers, the Junior Wildlife Club, which provides outdoor activities to youth ages 8-16, the Ladies Rooster Roundup, a ladies only pheasant hunt, the Twist of Fate archery hunt and Hunt of a Lifetime for people with serious illnesses, college scholarships for wildlife management and enforcement students and area high school clay target and fishing leagues.

“We’re adding sponsorships to the Smoker. Depending on what level a business or individual would like to support us at, they receive tickets, become a member of the club and get entered into our general raffle,” Gerou said.

Sponsorship levels include:

• Silver, $250, which includes one year of RRASC membership, two Sportsmen’s Smoker tickets and four general raffle ticket strips
• Gold, $500, which includes one year of RRASC membership, three Sportsmen’s Smoker tickets and six general raffle ticket strips
• Platinum, $750, which includes one year of RRASC membership, four Sportsmen’s Smoker tickets and eight general raffle ticket strips
• Diamond, $1,000, which includes one year of RRASC membership, five event tickets and 10 general raffle ticket strips

“We’re going to try something new this year,” Gerou said. “It’s ‘Pay What You Pull.’ There will be a bucket with poker chips marked from 0-50. Whatever you pull, that’s the amount of money you pay for a ticket and a chance at a firearm. We’re going to give that a shot and see if it works.”

Gerou continues to be proud of “some really good people who care a lot” when it comes to RRASC’s work with youth. There are many to name.

“Cindie Van Tassel does the goose hunt. Kevin Manock does the waterfowl hunt and Mark Althoff does the pheasant hunt. They’re all committee chairs and they just do a super job for us,” Gerou said.

Asked to give an elevator pitch for the Sportsmen’s Smoker, Gerou reminds the public that “it’s what drives everything” for RRASC.

“Last night, at Mix & Mingle, I had a gentleman stop by our booth. We got to talking about the Smoker. If it wasn’t for the Smoker, the club would not exist. That really drives everything. Everything we do has a financial cost and somebody or something has to pay for it. Well, this event does,” Gerou said. 

By Frank Stanko • Daily News franks@wahpetondailynews.com Sep 27, 2022 Updated Nov 3, 2022 

Editor’s Note: The latest Point of View series, running in Daily News and News Monitor, examines the great outdoors in the Southern Red River Valley. Our concluding installment looks at the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club’s work in providing recreation opportunities for youth.

Gradually but unmistakably, the sun rises. The Southern Red River Valley region has faced the possibility of a rain event over the past few days, but now, in the early morning hours of Saturday, Sept. 17, it looks like that was only a possibility.

Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge, south of Cayuga, North Dakota, is gradually warmed and almost immediately illustrated by the start of a new day. Morning fog hangs over the land, the water and the hunters. About 14 youth took part in the recent Marv Manock Youth Waterfowl Hunt, a coed event. Celebrating nearly 25 years in the Southern Red River Valley, the Manock hunt is one of the year-round activities offered by the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club (RRASC). Club members continue to promote the personal, social and ecological benefits of experiencing nature and the outdoors. The Manock hunt included experienced boys and girls, as well as newcomers.

“I’ve done this a lot,” said Aubrey Odens, 14, a Wahpeton High School student. “This is my third or fourth time duck hunting.”

Odens hunted alongside Brennen Larson, 12, and Makenna Manock, 13, both Wahpeton Middle School students, and Kevin Manock, Makenna’s grandfather and one of RRASC’s mentors. No matter how well each of the hunters did, all had an enjoyable late summer morning.

“Each had a few ducks come in and they all fired a few shots. There were not many ducks flying, but they had fun. They had a chance to do this and had a good time,” Kevin Manock said.

Kevin Manock is the nephew of the late Marv Manock, who died in February 2009. His accomplishments included serving as RRASC’s president, earning its Sportsman of the Year award and, of course, the Youth Waterfowl Hunt.

“We like to keep this going rather than let it fade out,” Kevin Manock said. “We want to keep each generation of kids involved in the outdoors, including hunting, fishing, camping and scouting.”

Outdoor activities can be a family affair. Kevin Manock, for example, has had his two now-adult children take part in the waterfowl hunt. He expects that his grandchildren will take part “when that time comes.” Activities can also be shared by friends from all walks of life.

Kasen Neppl, 14, attends Richland 44 High School in Colfax, North Dakota. He and hunting partner Owen Skovholt, 15, Wahpeton High School, each caught three waterfowl during the Manock hunt. While Skovholt had been taking part in the waterfowl hunt since he was 12, Neppl was experiencing his second annual event on Sept. 17.

“I brought him with me last year and he liked it so much, he decided to come back this year,” Skovholt said.

Peer mentorship through promoting the outdoors is common. Neppl hopes to continue the trend in his own community.

“Typically, that’s what we do,” Skovholt said. “When younger people want to go hunting and don’t have the resources, we step up and take them outdoors.”

RRASC’s upcoming fall activities will include a Saturday, Oct. 1 youth pheasant hunt at Chuck Haus’ farm west of Hankinson, North Dakota. The Haus property is also the site of the Ladies Rooster Roundup, held exclusively for adult women and taking place Saturday, Oct. 15 and Sunday, Oct. 16.

“My favorite part (of hosting youth) is when the kids hold their pheasant. They’re excited by what they’ve caught,” Haus said.

RRASC President Greg Gerou agrees, proudly recalling positive feedback from young hunters and anglers.

“We’ll get thank you letters saying, ‘That was so much fun,’” Gerou said.

RRASC leadership also includes Vice President Brad Glarum, Secretary Mary Bostrom, Treasurer Greg Braun (who mentored Neppl and Skovholt on their hunt) and Directors Cindie Van Tassel, Rich Truesdell and Kelly Carlson. The club will host the annual Sportsmen’s Smoker at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Wahpeton Community Center.

Gerou reflected on RRASC’s role in the Southern Red River Valley community.

“For whatever reason, some moms and dads are not interested or are not able to take their kids outdoors,” he said. “What we do is offer a way that they can get out and have a good time.”

As the youth awaited a pancake and sausage breakfast donated and prepared by RRASC members and supporters, they shared stories and laughter.

“I think my favorite part of the day was just the comedy and the experience with these two,” Odens said about hunting with Larson and Makenna Manock.

By Wayne Beyer Aug 27, 2022

The Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club is committed to getting youths outdoors and continue shooting sport culture, traditions and outdoor recreation of our North Dakota-Minnesota area. Youth hunting has been among its most successful ventures.

North Dakota Game & Fish (NDGF) and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation offer great support for the 3R Campaign – Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation. The youth hunts address “Recruitment.” It is like the days when we went to school and the 3 R’s were reading, (w)riting and (a)rithmatic to emphasize commitment to education.

Hunters and shooters provide most of the funding for all wildlife species, habitat and conservation. The sales of Federal Duck Stamps, for example, purchase wildlife habitat. Be grateful every time you step onto a Waterfowl Production Area (WPA). I sure was when my daughter Kayla and I hauled duck decoys onto WPA’s around Tewaukon Refuge to hunt mallards, teal, redheads and buffleheads on many wetlands.

Dylan Teberg and Cindie VanTassel organize a Canada goose hunt Sept. 10-11 around Breckenridge, Minnesota. They do a terrific job of an A-Z hunt, even scouting for geese feeding areas prior to the hunt. Early goose hunts are a benefit of the burgeoning Canada goose population. Many geese nest in the Twin Town area. We are fortunate that Minnesota DNR and NDGF are youth-friendly, allowing dual-state ease at reasonable costs to get afield. Call Cindie at 701-643-4374 to sign up.

Eligibility for the youth hunts requires hunter education certification. We are grateful for local instructors like Al Giese, Billy Gauslow, Joel Johnson, Greg Gerou and others who devote time and their experience to teach gun safety, ethics, conservation and wildlife identification.

Mentors are a key component of the youth hunts. Hunters go afield with youths to teach safe shooting, hunting techniques and identification. There are lots of “brown ducks” without colorful adult plumage and young rooster pheasants yet without brilliant turquoise, red and copper.

The Marv Manock Youth Waterfowl Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 17 around Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge. Kevin Manock does an outstanding job with the hunt to remember Marv, who was a long-time Sportsmen’s Club president. Tim Phalen and Jack Lalor strategically set out decoys many years along shorelines of small sloughs on WPAs.

Trap shoots are scheduled the night before the youth hunts to accustom youths to shooting at moving targets. The Head of the Red and Mooreton Trap Clubs have been super hosts.

Youth hunts are tremendous family opportunities. It is the best of times to be sitting with your son or daughter in cattails waiting for ducks to spread their wings or walking in the prairie during the great Minn-Dak fall outdoors. They are impressionable connections and memories.

The Youth Pheasant Hunt will be held on Saturday, Oct. 1. Mark Althoff has managed the hunt since its inception and shares his love of the outdoors by thoroughly offering a high-quality experience with dogs afield. The hunt is held on the Chuck Haus farm, important because it shows the value of conservation-minded farmers and establishing landowner relations.

Everybody enjoys tasty pancake breakfasts at the waterfowl and pheasant hunts and learn how to process game for healthy eating. Call Parks-Recreation at 701-642-2811 for these hunts.

Big picture results of youth hunts include the health of being outdoors, self-confidence, appreciation for nature, self-reliance, character building, patience, respect and fun.

Fond childhood memories include hunting with Dad along Tewaukon fence lines when snow geese staged on the refuge and walking Milnor corn fields for pheasants on my uncle’s farm. Treasured parental memories are crouching in cattails with my daughter, identifying overhead ducks and walking the prairie coteau near Center for pheasants and sharptail grouse.

The youth hunts are opportunities for young girls and boys, mentors and family members to experience your own treasured outdoor memories.

Wayne Beyer is the retired director of Wahpeton Parks and Recreation.

By Wayne Beyer, Jun 18, 2022

The 86th National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Conference was recently virtually held. It provided an opportunity to attend it for the first time.

The Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club is an affiliate member of the North Dakota Wildlife Federation (NDWF), whose membership consists of wildlife clubs around North Dakota. Strength in numbers is really important during times like North Dakota legislative sessions when laws that impact hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation need voices to ensure these activities are readily available for our children and grandchildren. Many local youth activities have received NDWF funding.

NDWF is a state affiliate member of the National Wildlife Federation. All the state wildlife agencies were among supporters who convinced federal legislators to support Recovering America’s Wildlife Act and the continuation of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, two of the most beneficial wildlife, conservation, hunting and fishing legislation over the last 50 years. Fish and wildlife don’t care about political boundaries.

State and federally supported projects aren’t just somewhere else in a national park. They are the Waterfowl Production Areas that provide public hunting opportunities around Hankinson, Lidgerwood and Cayuga. They are the fishing piers that jut out into the Red River where you can hook a channel catfish. And they are local park facilities like playgrounds, trails and the swimming pool.

NWF, including NDWF Director John Bradley, works tirelessly to preserve natural resources. They understand the importance of habitat for wildlife and people who love wildlife. Nothing important is achieved easily. It takes planning, partnerships, perseverance and passion. Change can take a long time. You’re never too young or old to support nature.

Land acknowledgment recognizes our original Native American inhabitants. Native American beliefs in managing wildlife and supporting land conservation are similar to NWF goals. They were our first conservationists. Focus points are food sovereignty, water protection and intergenerational knowledge. Cultural easements allow engagement and ceremonies. Tribal Nations manage 90 million acres.

Partnering with businesses is a major emphasis. Match companies to their resources. Locally, the partnership with Heitkamp Construction to offer a quality ice fishing derby is a splendid private/non-profit partnership. Comstock Construction has also been very helpful, hosting Jr. Wildlife events and sometimes placing fishing piers.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. The Supreme Court may soon be making impactful regulatory decisions. Regulated waters could be changed to those that are navigable and adjacent waters only. Prairie potholes are among scrutinized waters because they are geographically isolated. Changes would affect duck-producing states like North Dakota. Wetlands supports fish, wildlife, habitat, erosion control, buffer zones and outdoor recreation. It needs balance with agriculture. Scientific, not political methods for water importance and connection seems to be the right way.

All water is local. I can remember raw sewage being drained from cities directly into the river. They were good fishing areas because catfish are attracted to smell. Many cities, including Abercrombie and Wahpeton, located in city dumps next to the river. Good raccoon hunting areas but very nasty to our precious Red River water and natural resources.

Outdoor recreation offers some of our greatest life events. Nature and local natural resources offer many opportunities to find your perfect somewhere. Storytelling is compelling. When one recollects magical events during their lifetime, it is often an outdoor event. Consider it yourself. For me, I will remember duck hunting with a daughter in cattails, catching crappies with another daughter along a Silver Lake shoreline and ice fishing with my wife in crystal clear South Turtle Lake water and observing the underwater world underneath us.

Many states devote considerable resources to state legislative sessions. They get involved with politician candidate forums and find out up-front their views on hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation legislation.

Dams are controversial around the country. They stop fish like Atlantic salmon from migrating to spawn in native rivers. We are happy that the Kidder Recreation Area low head dam was the second Red River dam in North Dakota to be retrofitted with rocks and boulders friendly to fish migration. The Drayton dam near the Canadian border is the only dam remaining. Removing low head dams has allowed 20-pound catfish to move south all the way to its confluence in Wahpeton-Breckenridge.

Collin O’Mara is the charismatic NWF Director who meets every challenge with a smile. He offered lots of powerful messages. Never be satisfied. Conservation and indigenous progress together. It’s never enough. NWF is in 10,000 schools. Keep thanking others. State affiliates are the grassroots. Engage the next generation of conservation leaders. Learn lessons from each legislative session. Relationships beat facts. Power map relationships. The messenger is the message. Lead spokesperson needs authenticity. Sell the benefits. Don’t bury the lead. Advocacy is a coalition sport.

The North Dakota Wildlife Federation and National Wildlife Federation are among partners of the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club who remind us that we are simply borrowing the outdoors from future generations. Let’s leave an outdoor legacy that we can be proud of.

Wayne Beyer is the retired Wahpeton Parks and Recreation director.

7:30 PM • Mooreton Pond 

Attendees: Greg Gerou, Cindie VanTassel, Greg Braun, Joe Keller, Justin & Christopher Kratz, Andrew Fuller, Mary Rausch 

Approve minutes from previous meeting – MSC Cindie, Greg B 

Treasurer Report

• $53K account balance – MSC Justin, Joe 
• We are expecting a statement for our investment by the July meeting 

Members / Committees / Projects Reports 

Hunters Smoker – October 22, 2022 

• Greg G found a list of games from other events he will share with the committee 

Jr Wildlife Club Committee 

• Fishing tonight – July is at Chahinkapa Zoo for a tour 

Public Relations 

• Website (Becci Truesdell), Facebook/Instagram (Abby Carlson) – please share RRASC posts! 
• Cindie watches for members or family members that pass away for sympathy cards – see any let her know 
• Parades: Sep 10 Headwaters Day – Oct 1 NDSCS Homecoming 

Mooreton Pond Projects 

• 3 docks in thanks to help from Jerry Oren and Del Hoefs 

Air Rifle Program – January 23, 2023 for Junior Wildlife 

Fishing/Hunting Events

Neil Heitkamp Ice Fishing Derby – Feb 18, 2023 

• Planted 90 white pine with help from Curt Mund, Gary Page, Cindie and Bryan VanTassel, and Brandon VanTassel – a minnow run was done 

Vince Herding Youth Fishing Derby (Rich & Becci Truesdell) – May 6, 2023 

Dick Bell Catfish Derby (Justin Kratz) – June 3, 2023 

Family Fishing Nights (Cindie VanTassel, Justin Kratz) – Jun 20, Jul 18, Aug 15, 2022 – volunteers needed! Sign up at https://rrasc.net/family-fishing-nights or contact Cindie 

Brunk’s Carp & Sucker Derby (Justin Kratz, Kelly Carlson) – TBD for Aug 2022 

• Moving to a Saturday – may incorporate bow fishing 

Fall Youth Goose Hunt (Dylan Teberg, Cindie VanTassel) – Sep 10-11, 2022 

• 4 youth per day 
• Looking into a hunt for adults who have never hunted goose before (possibly to be held in 2023) 

Marv Manock Youth Waterfowl Hunt (Kevin Manock, Greg Gerou) – Sep 17, 2022 

Fall Youth Pheasant Hunt (Mark Althoff, Greg Gerou) – Oct 1, 2022 

Ladies Rooster Roundup (Abby Carlson) – Oct 14-15, 2022 

Banquets/Fundraisers

• Nat’l Wild Turkey Fed, Richland Renegade Toms (Brad Glarum, LeRoy Smith, Cindie VanTassel) – Feb 3, 2023 
• Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Bois-de-Sioux Chapter (Greg Gerou) – TBD for 2023 

Gun Clubs

• Head of the Red Gun Archery Club (Brian Gefre, Kevin Manock) – Open now, Tuesdays & Thursdays 
• Mooreton Sportsmen’s Club, Joe Pikarski Trap Range & MSC Rifle/Pistol Range (Bob Rosemore, Greg Gerou, Mark Althoff) – Open now, Wednesdays – July 19 is the 4H Fun Shoot 

RRASC Internal Hunting Contests (April – March) – Youth & Adult categories 

• Deer/Elk/etc.
• Turkey Beard
• Pheasant Tail Feather
• Waterfowl, # of species harvested 

RRASC Internal Fishing Contests (April – March) – Youth & Adult categories 

• Fresh Water
• Salt Water 

Old / New / Unfinished Business/Correspondence 

Bench recognition plaque name nominations 

• Nominations received: Randy Hovde, Vince Herding, Mike Fenske, Jeff Trom, Larry Brunkhorst, Marv Manock, Randy Hoerer, Wayne Beyer, Chuck Haus, Dick Bell, Dave Langenwalter 

Pop-up online store (Abby) https://rrasc.itemorder.com/sale 

• Online clothing store; will include stickers, koozies, coffee mugs, etc 

“Ask for Permission” signs are available 

Hosting a hunting and fishing rummage sale at WCC (Cindie) – TBD for 2022 

• Outdoors themed: hunting, fishing, archery, camping – booth table rentals to recoup costs of space rental – NO guns will be able to be sold at this event – event name suggestion: Sportsmens Treasure Hunt 
• Cindie is following up with Brad on open dates at the WCC 

Andrew and Justin are going to work together to put on a .22 shoot – will need targets, ammo – more to come 

Communication 

• Let’s Go Fishing (Fergus Falls): boat rides and fishing trips for disabled, vets and seniors – asking for funds to go towards boat motor repairs – we passed on this 
• Thank you from Twin Town Archery for donating to travel expenses for the youth who went to Nationals 

By Colton Rasanen-Fryar • Daily News coltonrf@wahpetondailynews.com

Jun 13, 2022 Updated Jun 14, 2022

Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club will be holding three family fishing nights throughout the summer for Twin Towns folks to participate in. The events are free of charge with room for 20 participants.

Anyone interested can sign up as this event is meant for all ages. The sportsmen’s club will go over a few separate points and activities related to fishing for the participants including, rod choices for different types of fishing, making a fishing lure, practicing casting with a rod and fish identification.

Participants will be fishing from the river shore with nightcrawlers as bait.

The first event will be held Monday, June 20, at the Knight Shelter Kidder Recreation area in Wahpeton. The next event will take place Monday, July 18, at Welles Park in Breckenridge, Minnesota. The final event of the summer will be Monday, Aug. 15, at the Knight Shelter at Kidder Recreation area.

All events will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m., but participants are recommended to arrive 10 minutes early for registration.

All rods and bait will be provided for participants at each event.

If there are any questions it’s recommended to reach out to 218-643-4374.