The money raised at the Ducks Unlimited Indian River Chapter’s annual benefit dinner last Monday at the Quail Valley River Club, will help fund the T.M. Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area in Fellsmere, the 3,870-acre St. John’s wetland restoration project that they manage in collaboration with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. Although many equate the organization solely with bird hunts, the group is actually deeply involved in the conservation, restoration and preservation of local wildlife wetlands.
The mood at the event was outdoorsy and casual, with the aroma of barbeque wafting through the air.
“We have had a roast pig in the smoker since nine o’clock this morning and are just pulling it out now,” said Executive Chef Joe Faria during the cocktail hour. “That has been a tradition for this group for the last five years we have been doing it.”
His menu was a carnivore’s dream, featuring red stag deer and southern fried quail, in addition to the pork. “We finish it with a dessert buffet and we also pass little ice cream bars as something fun,” added Faria.
The local chapter is considered one of the Top 100 wetland conservationists in the U. S., an honor given to the top fundraisers out of the 2,600 chapters in the nation. Ducks Unlimited International was founded in 1937 and this chapter, formed roughly 40 years ago, boasts almost 1,000 members.
“Ducks Unlimited is raising money for wetlands all over the country,” said Vice Chair David Nolte. “Counties can buy land but the key is managing it. There is a famous saying in Ducks which is, ‘Conservation without money is just conversation.’ ”
But hunting was also on the minds of many attendees who purchased raffle tickets for a host of prizes, the ultimate a Beretta 12-gauge shotgun.
Steve Owen commented that as his twin sons were growing up, hunting had always been a great way to spend time with them, noting that Jarrod enjoyed hunting more than Jake. “Jarrod and I both love quail and duck hunting and just enjoy hanging out with the guys. We hunt up in Fellsmere at the Stick Marsh and go up to Missouri once a year,” said Owen.
“It’s a very interesting group comprised of environmentalists and duck hunters,” said Tom Lockwood. “Most hunters are conservationists and are very respectful of nature. If you look at the makeup of our organization, it’s a very unusual group because you have people from all walks of life and all ages. We try to raise the young ones – we call them green wings – by teaching them how to shoot a gun properly and the importance of being conservationists, too.”
Sissy Long, a DU member, said she usually hunts with friends and her husband, but her first memories were of going out with her father.
“It’s just being a part of what God has given us,” said Long. “It’s beautiful even if you don’t shoot. You can take a camera and take pictures. It’s just wonderful first thing in the morning and the dawn starts breaking and the ducks start flying. It’s just a beautiful way to be one with everything.”
