Keep your skills sharp, and support local conservation efforts this winter

By Ben Gruber

Columnist

This late winter season can get people a little stir crazy, especially for outdoorsmen. The fish can be tight-lipped, and most hunting seasons are just a happy memory. The good news is the mosquitos are mostly long gone now.

What to do now? Get out and support local conservation efforts, and keep your skills sharp. There are many great local conservation organizations and clubs that offer the opportunity to do both. Some of these I have personal knowledge of, others I have heard about, and some I just researched to share options with you.

Many of these groups have banquets this time of year, usually offering some variation of good food and raffle prizes with proceeds going towards a variety of local and national conservation efforts. If you are part of a club and have an event to share with me, shoot me an email, and I will do my best to get the word out.

The Central Wisconsin Sportsman’s Club is located just east of Marshfield. The club offers indoor and outdoor shooting ranges and a kitchen, bar, and meeting facility. The group’s fourth annual Cabin Fever Banquet will be held Feb. 4. You can find them on Facebook, or call 715-384-3658.

Eau Pleine Outdoors Club in Stratford offers 3D archery leagues as well as indoor and outdoor ranges. Head to eaupleineoutdoorsclub.org for more information.

The Yellow River Basin Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will hold its annual banquet at RiverEdge Golf Course in Marshfield on March 4. For more info contact Donna Jones at donnajones2009@gmail.com or 715-687-2264.

The Wisconsin Waterfowl Hunters Conference is in Wisconsin Rapids this year on March 11. For interested waterfowl hunters, I can attest that this is a great event. The website for further information is wiswaterfowlersconf.org.

The Wetlands Conservation League is holding a fundraiser banquet Feb. 25 in Stevens Point. All money raised supports local conservation. Contact Jason Hintz at 715-223-7355, or you can email me at bwgruber@gmail.com, and I can forward you the flyer when it comes out in the near future.

The Bill Cook Chapter of the Isaac Walton League in Stevens Point offers trap shooting, various shooting ranges, archery ranges and a 3D course, and a clubhouse facility. The group’s 53rd annual Winter Jamboree will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Feb. 4 at McDill Pond in Stevens Point. Email billcookiwla@gmail.com for more information.

Kids and Mentors Outdoors, MarshPoint Chapter, is in great need of more mentors to get children outdoors, and we meet the first Tuesday of every month at the Visitors Center at the Mead Wildlife Area. Email me at bwgruber@gmail.com to get involved.

There are a plethora of events and organizations out there with which to get involved. Many offer opportunities to sharpen skills, social events, and conservation fundraisers. Find one that suits your desires, and get out of the house this winter while supporting local conservation efforts.

Ben Gruber can be reached at bwgruber@gmail.com.