Show Ducks Unlimited T Day is near By Jim Most 1 of us take things for granted A skein of geese honking high overhead a flock of mallards making their way to breeding grounds far to the north north- these are some of the things that we never give a second thought Its It's mother nature we say Ducks and geese are just a part of the natural world This is apathy of the worst kind Its It's naive to think that wildlife goes on and on with no interference from man Right now for example Canadian marshlands are being drained in the name of progress and development If this is the case why should we concern ourselves with marshes in Canada question and it has a good answer At least 80 percent of our ducks and geese nest in Canada The birds raise their young oung north of the United Sta States tes and fly south in the fall where they winter In warmer climates Many migrating waterfowl stop over In Utah and provide hunting opportunities for American sportsmen The logical thing to do then Isto is isto isto to protect Canadian breeding grounds so that ducks and geese will always have suitable nesting habitat Simple Not really Since the provinces of Canada are concerned concerned concerned con con- official US U.S. Government Government Government Govern Govern- ment funds cannot be used not even the proceeds from duck stamps which must be purchased purchased purchased pur pur- chased by y every American waterfowl hunter The solution is the private citizen who cares about the future of waterfowl Not only for himself but for his children and grandchildren DUCKS UNLIMITED DU PW is the private American organization that rallied to the cause of ducks and geese I Exactly 40 years ago a handful of men formed the organization which would soon champion waterfowl in North America In those 4 decades DU raised 45 million dollars from concerned concerned concerned con con- sportsmen in the United States This money was used to preserve and maintain Canadian breeding grounds In years of drought DU projects have often spelled the difference difference dif dif dif- ference between success or failure for waterfowl nesting But the job isn't over More money is needed to continue the program More breeding areas must be set aside for wildlife In order to meet this worthy cause Ducks Unlimited has chapters in the US U.S. that raise funds for the protection of waterfowl For Foz the first time ever a DU chapter was initiated in the Uintah Basin two months ago The organization will sponsor a fund raising banquet at the Vernal Elks Lodge on Saturday April 30 Woodey Searle will auction a number of beautiful items for the benefit Included in the auction are various items donated by local merchants Several waterfowl paintings will be made available to the highest bidder including two magnificent originals by a nationally prominent artist Another outstanding work is a of snow geese which was created by Ted Disko manager of Gibsons Gibson's Dozens of other items will be auctioned at the gala event The auction will be preceded by ri a hearty prime rib dinner prepared by Ladies of Elks Tickets can be purchased at atthe atthe atthe the door although it is requested that they be committed com milted ahead of time The banquet begins at with a asocial asocial asocial social hour 1 For or further information contact Jim gumbo at 1222 or the Utah Division of Wildlife e Resources at 6 64 East Main in Vernal Merlan Murphy of Murray Motors in Roosevelt is coordinator for Duchesne County |