Approximately 100 third-eighth grade youngsters attended the Outdoor Youth Expo held at the Stanley Community Center in Chapman Park this past Saturday. Sponsored by the Stanley Sportsman’s Club, the project was coordinated by local residents and club members Scott and Jill Kuehni.

Youngsters in attendance had an opportunity to visit and participate in a number of events. Paired off into nine groups, youngsters were provided with an usher to visit a total of ten stations.

DNR Conservation Warden Richard Maki from Chippewa County discussed a number of topics including game laws and responsibilities of his position as a warden. He also addressed various questions asked from the youngsters.

Chippewa Valley Pheasants Forever represented by Travis Hakes, Mickey Kolis and Judy Anabis discussed pheasant habitat and how the organization raised funds to purchase, protect, and improve land for pheasant hunting and stocking. The organization also handed out numerous gifts and prizes to the youngsters and brought hunting dogs to the event for everyone’s enjoyment.

Long time area resident, former DNR hunter safety instructor and avid migratory bird hunter Jim Brown, discussed goose and duck hunting. He displayed and discussed the features and benefits of decoy use and placement, how to camouflage and call for ducks and geese. Bringing with him his Black Labrador Retriever, “Nar” he discussed the use of dogs for goose and duck retrieval.

Chad Ducommun discussed fishing techniques and spearheaded a casting contest for kids where a number of prizes were awarded such as rod and reels and fishing baits. Ducommun also had a number of fish mounts for YOUTH EXPO

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the youngsters to observe.

Scott and Jill Kuehni discussed archery. Youngsters were given a brief archery lesson and the opportunity to shoot at a target with a bow and arrow.

Local hunter safety instructor Tim Brunner discussed tree stands and demonstrated tree stand use and safety measures.

Frank Dusick from Folczyks Sugar Bush discussed and explained the art of making and processing maple syrup.

Troy Freeds of Freeds Deer Recovery brought his tracking dog and discussed how to aid hunters in recovery of downed and wounded deer with aid of his tracking dog. He told the group that his dog and he had participated in over 700 recoveries.

Wisconsin Bear Hunter Association members Dustin and Jenna Walpole discussed the sport of coyote and bear hunting with hounds. They brought a group of hunting hounds to host a meet and greet for the youngsters to enjoy.

Yours truly discussed turkey hunting which included history of turkeys in Wisconsin, turkey calls and calling, decoys, camouflage techniques and weapon of choice and ammunition for turkey hunting.

White Tails Unlimited was invited but unable to send a representative to the event. However, the organization distributed copies of their 2021-2022 Annual along with information books for beginning youth deer hunters.

Warden Richard Maki was impressed with the number of youngsters who attended the event. Having served as a conservation warden in Ashland County for a number of years before recently transferring to Chippewa County, he said “This was the most well attended youth event he has ever participated in.”

Travis Hakes, President of the Chippewa Valley Pheasants Forever Chapter also said “The Expo was the largest youth event they have ever participated in.” He also stated that the Chapter was excited to reach out to the Stanley Sportsman’s Club and youth in Eastern Chippewa County.

At the end of the event, everyone was given a lunch with pancakes and sausage on a stick along with a free sample of pure maple syrup from Folczyks Sugar Bush. Prize drawings were also held for those in attendance. Lucky winners for the Grand prize drawings of two bicycles were Lucy Wundrow and Dylan Zais.

DNR Conservation Warden Richard Maki and DNR Hunter Safety Instructor Al Brown discuss the sport of Turkey hunting with a group of youngsters at the Sportsman’s Club Expo.Sportsman’s Club photo.

Scott and Jill Kuehni introduced youngsters to the sport of archery target shooting at the Youth Expo. Sportsman’s Club photo.