Ducks Unlimited Banquet

The local chapter of Ducks Unlimited (DU) is holding their annual banquet on Saturday, Jan. 30 at the Days Inn beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The banquet will feature games for adults and children, raffles, silent and live auctions. Dinner will be an all you can eat prime rib buffet.

Admission cost is $45 for single tickets, $80 for couples, $15 for “Greenwing,” which is a child’s ticket. Each ticket includes a membership in DU. Tickets are available at Storyteller, Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce or by calling John Maser at 921-4456.

The Wyoming State Ducks Unlimited retreat was held at the Days Inn in Thermopolis January 8-10. Several of DU’s conservation projects across the state were highlighted while allowing time for both business and hunting. Manager of Conservation Programs for Wyoming and Colorado, Martin Grenier, brought attendees up to date on several projects that are on-going or planned for Wyoming.

Of particular interest to central Wyoming, is the new collaborative effort with Wyoming Game and Fish Department at Ocean Lake Wildlife Habitat Management Area. The launch of the restoration project at Ocean Lake will coincide with and will be the showcase site for DU’s new campaign “Rescue Our Wetlands in Wyoming.”

Approximately $350,000 will be spent delivering the Northwest Wetlands project this spring.

The project will rehab existing levees, enhance water delivery mechanisms and ultimately provide important habitat for migrating waterfowl and nongame birds by providing water, feed and cover. Hunting and bird watching will be open to the public as part of the approved activities on the Wildlife Habitat Management Area. The project will also help disperse hunters utilizing Ocean Lake during the early waterfowl season.

For more information on DU projects in the state, contact Martin Grenier, Manager of Conservation Programs WY & CO at (970) 775-4416. For information on the local DU banquet or chapter, contact Roger Shanor at (307) 272-2443.