Local group focuses on growing waterfowl population

Photo by Tom Hintgen
Looking over silent auction items during the Aug. 29 Ducks Unlimited annual fundraiser near Fergus Falls was Luke Anderson.

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

Thursday evening, Aug. 29, was a perfect evening for the Fergus Falls Area 2024 Ducks Unlimited walleye dinner and annual fundraising gathering. The event, with many residents of Otter Tail County on hand, took place at Elks Point on Wall Lake east of Fergus Falls and west of Underwood.

“Make conservation a priority” has been the theme in recent years at Ducks Unlimited gatherings all across Minnesota. Close to $6 million has been raised annually in Minnesota. This achievement is possible with the help of close to 2,600 volunteers and more than 47,000 DU members, sponsors and donors.

Ducks Unlimited got is its start in 1937 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, during the Dust Bowl when waterfowl populations plunged to new lows. A small group of sportsmen joined together to form an organization called Ducks Unlimited.

Today, duck hunters in Otter Tail County can take pride that Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest and most effective waterfowl and wetlands conservation organization. DU works in partnership with landowners, governmental agencies and other entities.

Those in DU leadership roles in this area of west central Minnesota emphasize the restoration and associate habitats for North American waterfowl. DU efforts also benefit other wildlife.

The vision of Ducks Unlimited is wetlands that are sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today and into the future.