Wahpeton Daily News – October 22, 2024
By Bobbi Steffens, Assistant Managing Editor
The Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club’s 35th Annual Sportsmen’s Smoker was held Saturday. Members and guests filled the Wahpeton Community Center to enjoy the evening’s activities.
RRASC President Greg Gerou relayed that the club is made up of a great group of volunteers, about 160 members in total. “If not for them, we wouldn’t have any of – events and activities – the annual smoker provides a lot of funding for the club and the volunteers work hard to put it all together.”
Funds raised from the smoker are used for the events the group sponsors including summer fishing derbies, fall youth hunting, an ice fishing derby and the junior wildlife program.
“The club likes to provide opportunities for kids who may not otherwise get to be involved with outdoor things like fishing and hunting,” Gerou said. “That is why the volunteers do it, making those opportunities possible,”
The smoker is a time for like-minded people to come together, enjoy a meal, games, raffles and a chance to catch up with one another.
Gerou shared that RRASC is always looking for new members to join in. “It costs $10 a year to be a club member. We encourage our members to volunteer for the areas they are comfortable with, but it is not a requirement. We just want people to help out if they can.”
What might that volunteering look like? Gerou wants people to know that they don’t need a set of special skills to get involved.
“Yes, you can join if you are an avid outdoors person but you can help in other ways,” Gerou said. “On the fall hunts we serve breakfast – maybe you can help with the sausage and pancakes. Or if you like to craft, you could help build birdhouses and wood duck houses. Do you like to bird watch – we look for chaperones when we go out to Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge. Even things like logistics, event planning – just reach out if you are interested.”
RRASC expressed a heartfelt “thank you” to all who joined in on the annual fundraiser. The continued support, along with the generosity of local businesses and individuals, enables them to continue providing outdoor opportunities for youth and championing wildlife conservation.
Their work does not stop with the smoker however. Gerou shared that the fall continues to be busy with other involvement such as Sportsmen Against Hunger, a charitable program that raises money for processing of donated deer meat, and coordinates distribution to food pantries.
Hunters can also find containment dumpsters for hides and carcasses in the Twin Towns, including Tractor Supply and Blazer Express, sponsored by the club. RRASC encourages all hunters to utilize these dumpsters and dispose of their hides and carcasses in a clean and safe manner. Being mindful and respectful of what goes in the dumpsters and cleaning up around them as needed is the only request. The dumpsters are available to all deer hunters in either state, so if a Minnesota hunter has a carcass, they can take it to the carcass dumpster located in Wahpeton.
“If you want to talk about our programs or are interested in helping out, just reach out,” Gerou said. “You can find great information on our website, email us, we will do our best to answer your questions.