“I was impressed with the number of youngsters in attendance at this event and I was also impressed with the politeness and attentiveness the youngsters displayed during my presentation.””

Fish Biologist Joe Gerbyshak

Approximately 70 third-eighth grade youngsters attended the Outdoor Youth Expo help 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 nine stations. 

DNR Conservation Wardens Richard Maki and Clayton Peters from Chippewa County discussed a number of topics including game laws and responsibilities of their positions as wardens.  They also addressed various questions asked from the youngsters and discussed such subjects as mammal identification, ATV and UTV safety, boat safety and hunter safety.

Chippewa Valley Pheasants Forever represented by President Travis Hakes discussed pheasant habitat and how the organization raised funds to purchase, protect and improve land for pheasant hunting and stocking.   The organization also distributed packets of seeds for pheasant habitat planting.  

Recently elected Sheriff of Chippewa County, Hakes offered youngsters a tour of his squad car which led to many intriguing and fascinating questions about his position as Sheriff. 

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 resident Tim Brunner discussed tree stands and demonstrated tree stand use and safety measures. 

Troy Freeds of Freeds Deer Recovery brought his tracking dog and discussed how to aid hunters in recovering downed and wounded wild game with aid of his tracking dog.

Local fishing expert Chad Ducommun discussed and demonstrated techniques of creating your own spinner baits.  Youngsters were provided the opportunity to create and assemble spinner baits for their own use. 

Area DNR Fish Biologist Joe Gerbyshak discussed his position serving as a DNR Fish Biologist. He discussed fish identification and shared a power point presentation displaying comprehensive fish survey techniques using fyke nets and electroshocking to determine size, age and populations of fish on Wisconsin lakes and rivers.

Local resident Joe Tiry shared his Daisy B.B. gun shooting program expertise by setting up an indoor shooting range and targets for youngsters to learn and gain shooting skills experience.

Club members received many favorable comments about the event from parents and presenters.   Fish Biologist Joe Gerbyshak said “I was impressed with the number of youngsters in attendance at this event and I was also impressed with the politeness and attentiveness the youngsters displayed during my presentation.”

At the end of the event, everyone was served lunch with a pancake and sausage on a stick along with a free sample of pure maple syrup from Folczyks Sugar Bush.  All youngsters were given a tee-shirt and $10 A&W gift certificate for their participation.  Drawings were also held for numerous prizes including a $50 Scheels gift card and two bicycles.  Lucky bicycle winners were Owen Clow and Louis Lukes.

Local businesses making donations for the event as sponsors were Rural Septic Service, Folczyks Sugar Bush, Courtesy Auto, Chwalas Construction, and Stanley Tire.