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.