Category: News

By Frank Stanko • Daily News franks@wahpetondailynews.com Jun 9, 2021

The Red and Bois de Sioux rivers hosted anglers of all ages Saturday, June 5. The Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club (RRASC) sponsored the 22nd Annual Dick Bell Catfish Tournament.

Catches could qualify for two categories. There was a youth division and a division offering prize money for the five catfish with the largest weights.

“As in the past, this was a catch and release tournament,” RRASC President Greg Gerou said. “All the ‘cats’ went back into the river.”

Tournament participants could fish anywhere along the Red and Bois de Sioux rivers, Gerou said. The tournament was open from 7-11 a.m., with all fish needing to be presented before the event concluded.

“A big thank you goes to Justin Kratz, who chaired the event. He has been the chair for a number of years and has done a great job running the tournament,” Gerou said.

Gerou’s tournament work included taking pictures and helping to weigh fish. Cindie Van Tassel, who helped with registering participants, and Wayne Beyer, who prepared equipment, were also among the volunteers.

“Catfish are king on the Red River,” Beyer previously wrote. “It’s not uncommon for our campgrounds to host fishermen from Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas seeking a weekend getaway by catching channel catfish.”

There was one entry in this year’s youth division, Gerou said. Delvin Bigwood received the first place trophy and a $50 check from the RRASC. Bigwood caught a 15-ounce catfish.

“For our prize division, there were 16 entries. Many of the participants were weighing fish,” Gerou said.

Prize money amounts were determined by the number of entries, with a breakdown from first to fifth place. Ten percent of the money went toward the North Dakota Game and Fish Department to assist with fisheries development, particularly on the Red River.

“The RRASC also adds $100 to the first place total,” Gerou said.

Prize winners included:

• Michael Graves, first place, with a 6 pound, 11 ounce catfish, worth $40.50 and the $100 from the RRASC, for $140.50 total
• Rich Kellog, second place, with a 5 pound, 5 ounce catfish worth $33.75
• Brady Graves, third place, with a 4 pound, 7 ounce catfish worth $27
• Josh Weibusch, fourth place, with a 4 pound, 6 ounce catfish worth $20.25
• Kristopher Kratz, fifth place, with a 3 pound, 2 ounce catfish worth $13.50

“Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who participated in the event,” Gerou said.

By Wayne Beyer Apr 24, 2021 Wahpeton Daily News

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGF) held their Spring Advisory Board Meeting at Lake Elsie this past week. It is a good time to appreciate our long-time relationship with them.

At one time, the Kidder Recreation Area consisted of a cinder road from 4th Street to the lowhead dam. It is now an outdoor recreation destination. With NDGF and Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club funding, amenities now include:

• Blacktopped road and parking lots from 4th Street to the Highway 210 bridge.
• Fish cleaning station and annual $3500 maintenance.
• Three fishing platforms and four benches.
• Lowhead dam retrofitted to rock rapids for safety and fish migration.
• Shoreline fishing areas with steps down steep banks.
• Boat ramp and dock.
• Accessible fishing pier with benches.
• Aquatic Nuisance Species cleaning station coming soon.

Local river facilities include fishing piers jutting out from shorelines in Chahinkapa Park, Golf Course and southside Bois de Sioux River. A boat landing and dock are located at Brushvale a few miles north of town.

Youth fishing support provides a rod and reel loaner program, fly fishing equipment, mini-tackle boxes and fishing equipment for four youth fishing derbies. Mooreton Pond projects include a boat landing, dock, rock piers, fishing piers and trout stocking.

Youth hunting has benefitted from $2000 grants for the annual Youth Waterfowl and Pheasant Hunts, hunter education program support and being a ND Legislature partner to provide public access for hunters.

Conservation education projects, including the Junior Wildlife Club have been:

• Outdoor Wildlife Learning Sites at the Kidder Recreation Area tree arboretum and Chahinkapa Zoo’s Watchable Wildlife exhibit.
• Coloring books of native North Dakota critters for elementary art.
• ‘Habitats of North Dakota’ for 4th grade classes studying our state.
• Birding guides and checklists.
• Funding for wood duck nest boxes.

Shooting sports have grown under the NDGF umbrella, including:

• Grants for the archery range and area trap clubs.
• Grants for National Archery in the Schools (NASP) bows, arrows and targets.
• Hosting the NASP State Archery Meet at Minot.
• A grant program for trap shooting teams. 

The Advisory Board meetings are an excellent opportunity for local sportsmen and NDGF staff to discuss the great outdoors and work together to benefit wildlife and future generations. Interesting topics this spring included:

• Proliferation of technology that challenges fair chase and hunting ethics.
• Baiting that increases the odds of Chronic Wasting Disease.
• 70 percent deer hunter satisfaction rationale to help determine number of tags.
• A new bobcat season on the eastern half of the state.
• Partnerships to develop public access on more southeastern area lakes. 
• Early blue-winged teal season discussion because of their quick exodus to South America. Central Plains Flyway Council helps govern waterfowl hunting laws.
• Emphasize 3R’s (Recruitment-Retention-Reactivation) as hunter numbers decline.
• Successful Legislative session with congenial landowner-sportsman access that allows electronic posting of land.
• It was interesting to hear that South Dakota raised the minimum age for hunting and fishing licenses from 16 to 18. North Dakota remains at 16.

So many NDGF staff have been terrific to work with. We’ve especially worked with District Game Warden Tim Phalen (hunter education presenter and Youth Waterfowl Hunt organizer), Wildlife Biologist Doug Leier (considerable outdoors marketing), Fisheries Grants – Bob Frohlich (see all the above projects), fisheries biologists – Gene VanEeckhout & B.J. Kratz (management of many southeastern lakes), Hunting Grants – Pat Lothspeich and Audio-Visual Support – Mike Anderson (filming of youth hunts, Jr. Wildlife and fishing derbies).

It is fantastic to see a local government agency – Park Board, non-profit – Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club and state government agency – ND Game and Fish Department partner together so effectively to benefit sportsmen, hunters, naturalists and fishermen of all ages. A definite win-win-win!

Photos by Frank Stanko • Daily News Apr 23, 2021

Two active Twin Towns Area community members were enthusiastically honored Thursday, April 22 by the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club (RRASC).

Jerry Oren received the 2021 Sportsman of the Year Award. Rich Truesdell received the Lifetime Membership Award. Troy Richards, a conservation officer with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, received the Conservationist of the Year Award.

Oren and Truesdell were on hand to receive their awards, given as part of RRASC’s 34th annual awards banquet. Richards could not attend, as he had been dispatched earlier in the week to the Twin Cities, Minnesota, in anticipation of any emergency following the verdict of Derek Chauvin’s trial, banquet guests learned.

“(Jerry) has consistently volunteered for the club-sponsored events and its many projects,” RRASC President Greg Gerou said. “He has a positive, upbeat attitude and is a joy to work with. He is an important asset to the club.”

Oren attended the banquet with wife and fellow RRASC volunteer, Judy. He was singled out for involvement in projects including the Heitkamp Ice Fishing Derby, community fishing nights and work on Mooreton Pond, Mooreton, North Dakota.

Rich Truesdell’s years of service prompted a frequently-told story.

“He was invited by his father-in-law, Vince Herding, to attend one of the Hunters Smokers,” Gerou said. “Once he got there, Vince put him to work and he has been an active member ever since.”

Club members can see that Herding’s mentorship paid off, Gerou said. He cited Truesdell’s work with causes including the Vince Herding Youth Fishing Derby, development of Mooreton Pond and junior wildlife scholarship committee.

RRASC has another great year in store, Gerou said, but it cannot be done alone or with limited involvement. Volunteers are needed for the:

• 35th Annual Vince Herding Youth Fishing Derby, Saturday, May 1, Kidder Recreation Area, Wahpeton
• 21st Annual Dick Bell Catfish Tournament, Saturday, June 5, Kidder Recreation Area
• Family Fishing Nights, to be held from June-August
• 33rd Brunk’s Annual Carp and Sucker Derby, Wednesday, Aug. 5, Kidder Recreation Area
• Fall Youth Goose Hunt, information to be announced
• Veterans Pheasant Hunt, weekend of Saturday, Sept. 11, Stiklestad Lodge, Fort Ransom, North Dakota
• Marv Manock Youth Waterfowl Hunt, Saturday, Sept. 18, Tewaukon Refuge, Cayuga, North Dakota
• RRASC Youth Pheasant Hunt, Saturday, Oct. 2, Chuck and Cheri Haus property near Hankinson, North Dakota
• Ladies Rooster Roundup, Saturday, Oct. 16, Haus property
• Hunters Smoker, Saturday, Oct. 23, Wahpeton Community Center

“Mixed in with these are the Junior Wildlife Club activities, high school clay target league, ZooBoo, NDSCS homecoming and many more activities for people to get involved in while promoting the club,” Gerou said.

Prior to the awards and announcements, club members learned about the Outdoor Adventure Foundation, Inc. from Brian Solum and Philip Heitkamp. The foundation’s chapters nationwide are dedicated to fulfilling hunting, fishing and other outdoor adventures.

“(We support) children and young adults with cancer or other life-threatening illnesses,” according to information shared. “Combat-disabled veterans who have lost a limb or are wheelchair-bound due to an active service injury (are also eligible).”

RRASC continues to utilize social media, with the help of members Becky Truesdell and Abby Carlson.

“Becky is the webmaster for www.rrasc.net and Abby keeps the Facebook and Instagram up to date. I want to give a big thank you to both of them for their attention to detail and their time needed to keep everything current,” Gerou said.

The banquet concluded with a challenge for RRASC members: to not only grow total membership, but active membership. Look to Daily News for continued coverage of community outdoors activities.

By Frank Stanko • Daily News franks@wahpetondailynews.com Mar 8, 2021

The Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club had an opportunity to not only assist a local nature site but continue its mission of enhancing habitats.

Club President Greg Gerou and Patrick Fitzmorris, the new manager of the Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge, located south of Cayuga, North Dakota, recently shared a conversation. Fitzmorris’ goals for Tewaukon include increasing the refuge’s wood duck population.

“The problem is that there are limited natural nesting cavities available for the ducks,” Gerou said. “Many of the old growth trees that had cavities have died and fallen over.”

Gerou and Fitzmorris’ conversation led to a project that would provide a number of wood duck nesting boxes. Before the Tewaukon plan, Gerou explained, the Sportsmen’s Club had been talking to a landowner in rural Hankinson, North Dakota, about providing nesting boxes in the Horseshoe Lake and Stacks Slough area. Ultimately, the two projects were merged.

Utilizing plans from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a materials list and cost estimates were developed. Many organizations and individuals collaborated on or contributed to the project. For example, the American Foundation for Wildlife, Bismarck, North Dakota, provided the funding grant and rough sawn cedar was purchased through Builders FirstSource, Wahpeton.

“According to the plans, the amount of wood purchased should make 12 nesting boxes,” Gerou said.

Fastenal of Breckenridge, Minnesota, provided the exterior decking screws for assembling the boxes. Wood shavings, used for nesting material, were purchased from Tractor Supply Co., Wahpeton, and waterproof wood glue came from Wahpeton Ace Hardware.

“Del Hoefts, one of our club members, offered the use of his woodworking shop for the cutting and assembly of the units,” Gerou said. “Club members assisted with the cutting of material. Through a lot of measuring and calculating, they were able to cut the material to make one additional nesting box.”

From there, the boxes were assembled, the nesting material was loaded and the boxes were ready for distribution. Eight of the boxes were delivered on Feb. 25, 2021 to Tewaukon.

“Refuge personnel will determine their locations and install the boxes. The remaining boxes will go to replace some nesting enclosures near Horseshoe Lake and Stacks Slough west of Hankinson, as well as add some new nesting sites along the Wild Rice River in rural Wahpeton,” Gerou said.

Gerou reiterated his many thanks to the groups which came together to make the project possible for the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club, including: Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the American Foundation for Wildlife, Bismarck, Builders FirstSource, Fastenal, Tractor Supply Co. and Wahpeton Ace Hardware.

“A big thank you goes to Del Hoefs’ wood shop of rural Wahpeton and the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club members for volunteering their time working on this conservation project, Gerou said. “The plan is to have the boxes installed prior to the wood duck arrival this coming spring.”

By Wayne Beyer Jan 22, 2021 Wahpeton Daily News

The 86th ND Wildlife Federation (NDWF) Conference was recently held. The Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club (RRASC) is one of its 14 club affiliates. The mission of the NDWF is to ensure abundant wildlife, wildlife habitat and access to wildlife recreational opportunities.

NDWF is a respected outdoors voice. Its 1,500 members are passionate about the outdoors.

Past members and friends have bequeathed estates to preserve critical habitat in North Dakota, including wetlands for cranes and the Badlands of Dunn and McKenzie counties. NDWF has stretched available funding with the Audubon Society and Natural Resources Trust to put a half million dollars on the ground.

Federal funding sources, including the Great American Outdoors Act and Land and Water Conservation Fund have passed to support habitat. Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) is next on the agenda.

Getting youths afield is a priority. This fall, RRASC got a $1,200 NDWF grant to introduce youth hunters to giant Canada goose hunting. NDWF has supported the Ladies Pheasant Hunt organized by Abby Carlson. A hunt for disabled veterans is being considered.

NDWF is a cooperative partner with the ND Game and Fish Department (NDGF) and ND Department of Transportation to sponsor a pollinator garden at the Beach, ND Rest Area. NDWF previously supported the introduction of more sage grouse in southwestern North Dakota to revive that struggling population.

The premiere NDWF fund-raiser is the Big Spenders banquet in Valley City on Saturday, April 10. The Barnes County Wildlife Federation has long been an active, supportive member.

NDWF is a key partner with the Report All Poachers (RAP) program. Sportsmen are unified in opposition to people who violate game and fish laws and cast a bad light on hunters. RAP sponsors metal “ASK” signs to try helping landowner / sportsmen relations.

Youth trap shooting grants have previously been awarded to Wahpeton and Richland high school teams. The proliferation of trap shooting and National Archery in the Schools (NASP) programs have helped recruit future sportsmen and hunters.

Greg Gerou has been an active NDWF Board Member and tackled the challenging task of updating by-laws. Joe Keller was elected as another Board Member.

NDWF is very active at the Legislature and Executive Director John Bradley has credible influence. NDWF is a non-profit supporter of NDGF, whose professional wildlife staff use data and science to make well thought out recommendations. NDGF uses income from hunting and fishing licenses and does not receive funding from the state’s General Fund. NDWF is hopeful that considerable funding can be available for wildlife friendly habitat and public access.

Dave Dewald, NDWF President served on a State Legislature Interim Committee with legislators and landowners to propose bills that allow electronic posting. It appears to be a favorable win-win for property owners and hunters. It gives farmers and ranchers an easy, quick way to let others know online about access.

Collin O’Mara / National Wildlife Federation Executive Director addressed our group. North Dakota is a major player on the national wildlife landscape. Much of the Prairie Pothole Region is in North Dakota and O’Mara called us the “Duck Factory.” Our diversified landscape includes the Missouri River, rugged Badlands and shrinking native prairie, all vital ecosystems.

Strategic planning includes R3 — “Recruit, Retain and Reactivate” sportsmen to hunt and fish. This is an important issue for anyone concerned about wildlife management, conservation and the future of our hunting traditions.

NDWF has existed for 86 years because of members like the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club who get youths hunting and fishing, support wildlife habitat and Red River conservation, offer monthly Junior Wildlife activities, fund archery and trap shooting, sponsor conservation education and are a voice for preserving our outdoors.

By Wayne Beyer – Jan 10, 2020

The North Dakota Wildlife Federation (NDWF) held its 85th annual convention in Bismarck over the past weekend. It is one of the oldest wildlife federations in the country and dedicated to conserving wildlife and habitat in our state for youths, conservation and outdoor recreation.

The Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club (RRASC) received a ‘Special Achievement Award’ for its efforts to advocate the three R’s – Recruit, Retain and Reactivate. President Greg Gerou, who attends nearly all the club’s activities, accepted the award.

Youth events like the four fishing derbies, Jr. Wildlife Club, youth waterfowl and pheasant hunts, TRACKS magazine, birdwatching field trips, archery, trap shooting and Eagle Scout projects were recognized.

Abby Heitkamp, another local RRASC member, was a presenter on the successful ladies’ pheasant hunt held on the Chuck Haus farm west of Hankinson. Many long-time sportsmen were impressed with her organization that included trap shooting, hunting safety, cleaning game, professional photography and a delicious meal.

NDWF is very active in the legislative process and works hard to support public access, conservation funding and science-based game and fish laws. Its presence in Bismarck is a strong voice for sportsmen.

Estates received over recent years provide support for conservation projects for mule deer, elk and sharptail grouse in Dunn and McKenzie Counties and wetlands habitat for sandhill crane in the Prairie Coteau region. It is gratifying that citizens consider NDWF an organization where their outdoors legacy can be followed through.

NDWF is passionate about getting youths outdoors and has a grant program to support shooting sports programs. Bismarck-Mandan trap shooters made one of the presentations and touched on the big picture effects – teamwork, fun, lifetime recreation, introduction to hunting, confidence and the value of hard work. It is always inspiring to hear from outstanding young people.

Affiliation with the National Wildlife Federation results in a concerted effort to impact conservation nationwide. For example, Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) is federal legislation that would result in $13 million for the ND Game and Fish Department to develop wildlife habitat.

ASK signs are produced by the hundreds to work with landowners, our state’s most important conservationists who own over 90% of North Dakota’s land.

The Report All Poachers (RAP) Program with ND Game-Fish successfully apprehends criminals who break game and fish laws.

The major source of funding for conservation like the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is the Farm Bill. Sportsmen walk the talk and many projects like the Waterfowl Production Areas where our youth duck / goose hunts are held are the result of hunters purchasing duck stamps over the years. It takes the time and efforts of passionate sportsmen to continue encouraging our state and federal elected officials to support critters on the ground. Wildlife is completely dependent on our attention to sharing the land with them.

NDWF partners with many other outdoors organizations like Audubon, ND Game-Fish, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Natural Resources Trust to stretch resources. It always makes sense for like-minded organizations to maximize opportunities. One example is the introduction of sage grouse in southwestern North Dakota to invigorate a challenged population and the addition of pollinator gardens at highway rest areas to support Monarch butterflies.

Local wildlife clubs make up the North Dakota Wildlife Federation and the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club is proud to be an active member. We encourage all hunters, fishermen and outdoors enthusiasts to join wildlife clubs like RRASC, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever and Wild Turkey Federation. Do more than buy a hunting license. Become involved so our children and grandchildren can co-exist with healthy wildlife populations.

Wayne Beyer is the director of Wahpeton Parks and Rec.