2012 Marsh Chatter 4th

The Michigan Marsh Chatter
4th Quarter, 2012
A Word from our Chairman
October–December
2012
Terry Laymon: 2011-2012 State Chairman
Greetings fellow DUers:
Here we are, smack-dab in the middle
of FUNdraising events and the fall hunting
season. Two of our favorite passions,
FUNdraising & hunting go hand-in-hand. MI
DU activities continue to grow and the results
are excellent. We, as a state, have been vastly
improving our committees EFFICIENCY from
38%, up to right around 50%. There is still work
to DU in the EFFICIENCY arena, ask your R/D
or Zone Chairman for ideas and assistance.
MI DU recently was on the receiving end of Certificates of
Appreciation at Huroc Park, Flat Rock, with Congressman Dingle
celebrating 40 years of the Clean Water Act of 1972. Congressman Dingle
had nothing but very high praise for Ducks Unlimited and related to me
that he has been a member of DU for 35 years. The other celebration took
place at the Township Hall of Harrison Twp., accolades and Certificates of
Appreciation were received from Senator Carl Levin, Senator Debbie
Stabenow, and Congresswoman, Candice Miller. We are most grateful for
the awards and recognition, our passion for Conservation will never be
stronger.
We are coming to the end of my two-year term as the State
Chairman of MI DU….many of you refer to my term as the “Reign of
Terror!” In a “Perfect World,” I would call each and every one of you to
thank you personally for your support and involvement. Yes, a HUGE
thank you goes out to our 30,000 members, our ever-increasing “Save an
Acre” Sponsors, our Major Donors, our hard-working staff at GLARO, and
our tireless Regional Directors, that are the best in the United States. I
can’t thank the Zone and Area Chairs enough for the time and effort they
put forth to put MI DU on the National Charts. Lastly, thank you to our
State Committee Chairmen, my State Officer team that deserve a ton of
credit, Dale Borske, State Treasurer, and Dave Steinbach, State Secretary.
Kudos should also go out to all of the past State Chairmen that were
always ready to share their experiences with us.
We didn’t get everything done that we targeted to get done, we
did get our MI DU Tool-box up and running, thanks to Doug Furtah and
Dale Borske. We were able to publish what you are reading now, our
electronic newsletter…thanks to our Webmaster, Carolyn Stahl and
State Secretary Dave Steinbach for making it happen. This is certainly
not a “goodbye” message. I will continue to play a role with MI DU,
and hope to shake your hand for what you DU, once again.
© 2013 Gerald W. Putt
Best wishes,
Terry (Gooseman)
In this issue:
The new MI DU Sponsor Print:
If you missed the MI Convention,
here is a preview of the 2013 MI
sponsor print by Gerald Putt!
Shoveler Couple
Lithography / Foremost Communications
Full story on page 2
Double down on the Diamonds!
Two Diamond events in the same
year. The Monroe chapter should
be very proud!
Full story on page 3
Waterfowl Legacy Program
The volunteers of the Saginaw
Bay chapter assisted the DNR
with the Nayanquing Pt. youth
waterfowl hunt
Full story on page 6
Scooter’s Goose Breasts
Something a little different to do
with those goose breasts you
have been saving!
Full Recipe on page 5
MI DU State Convention
Don’t miss the fun next summer.
Mark your calendar now.
JULY 26,27. &28th, 2013
The Michigan Marsh Chatter
4th Quarter, 2012
The 2013 Michigan DU Sponsor Print
S
Shoveler Couple
~ About the Artist ~
GERALD W. PUTT
© 2013 Gerald W. Putt
Wildlife & Nature Artist
Lithography / Foremost Communications
Gerald Putt is a wildlife and nature artist who grew up in the small, quiet, rural central Pennsylvania town of
Boiling Springs where a picturesque log building is now home to Gerry’s wildlife art gallery. The ducks on
the lake in his hometown inspired him at a young age and later became one of his first subjects. Today ducks,
elk, turkeys and deer are some of the subjects that have harvested the most praise for Putt.
Recently Gerry won the 2013 Michigan Ducks Unlimited “Artist of the Year”. Putt won 2012 Nevada State
Duck Stamp & the PA Game Commission’s 2012 “Working Together For Wildlife” Art Competition. His
painting “Winterberry Bandits” - Cedar Waxwings bested a field of competing artists making him a threetime winner of this competition. He won the “2011 National - Artist of the Year” for the Ruffed Grouse
Society. His painting “Fan Dancer” - Ruffed Grouse captured top honors making him a two-time winner of
this award. Gerry’s won the 2011 Pennsylvania Duck Stamp Contest ~ making him the first and only person
to win this contest nine-times ( 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2002, 2000, 1998, 1996 & 1991 ). This is three-times that
of any other artist. Putt won the 2009 North Carolina State Duck Stamp ( 2009, 2007, 2006, 2005 & 2004 ) and
the 2006 Illinois State Duck Stamp ( 2006, 2005, & 2004 ). Gerry has been in the “Top Twenty” of the
prestigious Federal Duck Stamp Contest many times and twice made the “Top Ten”. Gerry’s painting
“Return of the Monarch” won the 2001 Pennsylvania Elk ~ Fine Art Print Contest and his wigeon painting
won the 1997 Colorado Duck Stamp Contest. Gerry has been in the Ducks Unlimited National Art Package
twice and was chosen as “runner-up” for Ducks Unlimited “International Artist of the Year”. Putt has won
“Best of Show” & “Peoples Choice” honors at many wildlife art shows plus other state and national
competitions. He was named Ducks Unlimited “Artist of the Year” for the states of Michigan, New York,
South Carolina, Colorado and four-times for his home state of Pennsylvania.
Putt is a Life Sponsor of Ducks Unlimited and a Life Member of The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. He is
in his “fifth-decade” of supporting conservation groups such as Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk
Foundation, Ruffed Grouse Society, Trout Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the National Wild Turkey
Federation as well as many others. The sale of Gerry’s donated art has raised many thousands of dollars for
the improvement and preservation of wildlife habitat.
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The Michigan Marsh Chatter
New Research to Evaluate Factors Influencing
Breeding Mallard Survival
The number of mallards harvested in the Great
Lakes region exceeds that of all other duck species
and is largely derived from local populations.
Mallard populations in the Great Lakes appear to be
largely driven by processes operating during the
breeding period including hen survival. Thus,
understanding factors influencing breeding hen
survival is essential for guiding habitat programs
geared towards improving conditions for breeding
mallards. Using data collected during the Great
Lakes mallard study, 2001–2003, this research will
evaluate factors impacting hen survival including
habitat (wetland, forest, cropland, etc.) and henrelated (hen age and condition, breeding effort, etc.)
parameters. Ryan Boyer, a former GLARO intern, is
leading this effort as a M.Sc. candidate at Michigan
State University.
Submitted by,
John Coluccy
GLARO Office
4th Quarter, 2012
Monroe’s Double Diamond
Bret Plasters
To reach Diamond status a chapter must fulfill
certain requirements. The 2 sticking points are:
• Combo of net/net dollars with major donor
pledges $75K plus
Must raise these funds within a 30-day
timeframe from event date
There were many diamond events this year in
the state of Michigan, and our hats are raised to all
these chapters. It is no small feat.
Yet one chapter, MI 024 Monroe has not only
given DU 1 Diamond event but 2 DIAMONDS in
this milestone year for DU! Monroe’s first
Diamond held in March had 850 guests with a n/n
of $76K and 2 major donor pledges over $8000 each.
This was a $92K event!
Their second event was a sponsor event held
this past August with 350 guests with a n/n of $14k
but had pledges in excess of $100K!
Special thanks to Area Chair Marshall
Anderson for leading the charge – he is high
energy, idea man, helping the chapter reach for the
stars. Volunteer Tracy Oberleiter, Monroe’s major
donor specialist, and Zone chair Dave Perry who
worked tirelessly along with another 20 volunteers
to gain the Double Diamonds.
It took a lot of planning by the entire committee
to accomplish this feat. This is one of the efficient
and dedicated crew of volunteers not only in the
state but in the country!
If you ever get the chance to attend one of
Monroe’s events you won’t regret it.
•
Fall Events Fall Into Place
L lo yd Wil so n
A quick snapshot of the fall banquet season
in northern Michigan shows a very pretty picture.
It has been a productive and successful fall
fundraising season for the chapters and the ducks.
Many chapters topped last year’s performance, with
some having their best year ever. It is getting
tougher & tougher for committees to conduct a fun
and successful event, and yet you did it! Your hard
work, persistence, and dedication are the reasons
why and it all is making a difference. Whether it is
recruiting new volunteers, selling dinner tickets,
obtaining donations and underwritings, or sticking
to your budget, you’ve done it all. And the
dividends have been significant.
I want to Thank All of you very much – you
are the best!!
Have a safe and successful hunting season
and a wonderful Thanksgiving & Christmas!
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The Michigan Marsh Chatter
4th Quarter, 2012
Goose Breasts Extraordinaire
Compliments of Mike Stahl
Ingredients:
Skinless goose breasts
Baking Soda
Vinegar
Salt
2 eggs beaten
Flour
Corn Starch
Oil
Preparation and Cooking:
Slice goose, or pheasant breasts thin horizontally.
(To those of you from Evart, that’s across the grain.)
Cover with water.
Add; 1 Tsp. baking soda, 1 Tbsp. vinegar, and ½ Tsp salt.
Let sit for 4 hours, then drain and pat dry.
Add one inch of oil to frying pan, Hot, but not
burning.
Dip pieces in beaten egg, then flour then cornstarch
(do I need to tell you to put it in the skillet?)
Cooks in about 2 minutes, flipping at half time.
Two years ago I had the pleasure of experiencing this recipe on a trip to Manitoba and brought
back this recipe that can be applied to a wide range of game. I have used it for Snow goose, Canada
Geese and Pheasant. This is a quick and easy fix that only the lame and blind can screw up and is
guaranteed to be the Hors d’oeuvre hit of your get together.
Mike Stahl
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The Michigan Marsh Chatter
Southern Michigan has a great start
to the fundraising year!
Southern Michigan had a great start to its
fundraising season with events happening from East to
West. The volunteers on Harsens Island had a boomer
of an event. The room was full and everyone was
having a great time supporting the DUCKS! The
volunteers worked together to make sure that they
again put a full house in attendance; this is how they
have found their success. They are looking at this as a
one day sale with only a few hours to entertain and
make some good bucks for the DUCKS. One of the
many high lights was the local hand carved decoy that
brought $650.00 in the live auction; it was carved by
one of the island residents and was a very nice item.
Michigan Center in the center of the Southern
Region had another full house year; they increased
attendance by about 15 people. Leading the charge
were, Dan Karsten & Greg Meschke, both long time
DU volunteers. They made sure that the attendee’s
were treated to a great meal, after which Greg treated
the attendees to the outstanding live auction that he
emcees. The attendees look forward to hearing Greg
ever year. He will be the first one to tell you he’s not
the best auctioneer, but I think the crowd would beg to
differ. The high light on the live auction were some
hand carved works of art by Russ Bengal. I know
some of you will wish you had attended that auction!
Over on the West coast the volunteers, headed
by AC Gary Zech, at the Southern Michigan DU (St.
Joseph) had another year of growth. Not only did they
make more Bucks for the Ducks, but their attendance
was up too. They increased attendance by about 25
people and this helped all aspects of the dinner. They
had a great bucket raffle with many items that
attendees wanted, including many useable items like
tree stands and popup blinds. Gary stated that from
feedback he had gotten last year the attendees wanted
hunting items that they could use, “so that is what we
got for them this year”. The live auction was anchored
with a set of Mohammad Ali autographed boxing
gloves. Boy did they make a BIG HIT with the crowd!
All of the events have had great moments and
all the volunteers have worked their hardest to make it
a success for DU. Without all of their hard work DU
would not be able to put as many acres on the ground
as it does. So a huge Thank You goes out to all the
people that make the events happen across the Region
and the State!
C raig C urtis
4th Quarter, 2012
Donec
interdum
The 2012 Youth Hunt.
The youth hunt donated by Mike Scooter
Stahl at the June State Convention got off to a bad
start, all blamed on the Pecks Lake beavers. Heavy
spring rains washed out the beaver dam that
controls the lake level of our pond. Sparse summer
rains failed to trigger the beavers into action, so the
lake was at a two-foot low all summer, leaving one
to access the water only after wading in thigh deep
muck thru the reeds to the open water. That was
not a good option. Unable to launch the TDB duck
boat, a deer hunt was offered as a replacement for
the waterfowl hunt. This was accepted in good
spirit by the purchaser Chris Friebler and his son
Travis.
On Sept. 22nd, Travis and dad went afield
at Burch Point Lodge, aka the swamp, dressed in
their finest pumpkin orange suits and awaited the
wiley bambi. Saturday saw only what they
described as a plethora of squirrels, a horned owl,
and pileated woodpeckers. When they came in for
dinner, with reports of no deer being seen all day
they were surprisingly still bubbly with excitement.
It seems that they had the experience of a lifetime in
seeing a Bobcat sneak into view and stalk and catch
a squirrel not twenty feet from the blind we call Ft.
Apache. It made their day. I still wonder why they
named the cat Bob, and not Carl or Ralph. Travis
also had a first as he had Spam for breakfast. He
actually liked it
On Sunday at 9:00 Travis downed a nice
doe at about 80 yards and proceeded to field dress
his deer with much guidance from Chris and the
Scooter. To his credit he handled it like a veteran
deer hunter. Travis used a scoped rifle that he won
at the Rabbit River DU event this spring,
I challenge someone to donate a youth
hunt at next year’s 2013 State Convention at The
Island Casino at Escanaba. I have donated a youth
hunt for the past two years. Who will step up and
provide a youth a quality hunt experience?
Mike Stahl
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The Michigan Marsh Chatter
4th Quarter, 2012
DU Volunteers assist with
Waterfowl Legacy program
The members of the
Saginaw Bay Chapter of Ducks
Unlimited were again at
Nayanquing Point Wildlife area for
the sixth consecutive year hosting
the youth afternoon waterfowl
hunt. This year was special as it is
the kickoff of the Michigan
Waterfowl Legacy program. Our
members had tables set up with
displays on projects in the area and
across the state. We also signed up
every youth attendee to the DU
Green-wing program, gave each
child a DU hat and small gift, serve
refreshments, and explained our
conservation program to them.
Thanks to our generous donors we were also able to provide refreshments to all the returning
hunters from the morning outing and we were able to interact with over 150 people throughout the
morning giving Michigan DU recognition and insight to the waterfowl hunters of our conservation
endeavors. We have also
signed up general
memberships and recruited
volunteers over the years that
we have been doing this
program with the State of
Michigan. The volunteers
were also able to leave the DU
magazines as well as
volunteer and membership
forms onsite and in a matter of
a few weeks all of these forms
were taken by interested
hunters.
If you are interested in
getting an event such as this
going at one of your local state
game areas and need advise
please contact Dale Borske at
cruiseplanner1@chartermi.net.
Special thanks go to H & H Bakery of Pinconning and Wheelers Restaurant in Standish.
6
The Michigan Marsh Chatter
4th Quarter, 2012
State Chairman elect is treated to GLARO Grand Tour!
In September, Rod Larson and I attended the Malan WPA dedication. In conjunction with the
dedication, we were invited to pay a visit to the GLARO office in Ann Arbor.
For those of you who are not familiar with it, GLARO is DU’s Great Lakes/ Atlantic Regional Office.
This office is the headquarters for our conservation and staff folks for a 21 state region in the North Central
and Northeast part of the United States. All DU activities, except grassroots fundraising, are directed or
originate out of this office for that 21 state area.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by Debra Gray whose official title is Administrative Assistant. (I am
sure office manager extraordinaire is more appropriate.) Doug Gorby had arranged our visit, but was
unable to be there. In his stead, Russ Terry, Director of Conservation Programs, led our tour and keyed the
narrative and discussions of the various functions that GLARO fulfills.
An immediate impact upon us was observing a group of Geographic Information Systems interns
doing an inventory of all North American wetlands using satellite imagery. This inventory is done
periodically to determine net gain or loss over that period.
Following the meet and greet through the office, we adjourned to the conference room for an
overview of the various roles GLARO performs. Broadly speaking, Ducks Unlimited is all about wetlands
conservation and protection, but internally it breaks down into three interwoven entities; volunteers,
fundraising staff, and conservation staff. As volunteers, we are familiar with our roles within D.U. It was
fascinating and very informative to see how the others interact.
Russ Terry gave a presentation illustrating how conservation is delivered in the Great Lakes/
Atlantic Region as a whole, and then in our Great Lakes area in particular, through the Great Lakes
Restoration Initiative.
John Coluccy, Director of Conservation Planning, led off with a discussion of ongoing and
completed research and monitoring projects and how they tied into our conservation work.
Dane Cramer and Mike Sertle then showed us several examples of projects that they had completed
in Michigan, with video of before, during, and after illustrating the work. It is interesting to note, that in
addition to planning and supervising these projects, they also line up the conservation partners to assist in
funding the work. (We volunteers can relate to this: soliciting on a grand scale).
Pete Wyckoff, Regional Engineer, then showed us some of their masterpieces: water control
structures, fish ladders, bridges, and the all important terrain changes that allow water to go in the direction
desired.
Gildo Tori, Director of Public Policy, brought us up to date on the impact of public policy on
waterfowl; Farm Bill; NAWCA, etc. on a national level and also legislative issues right here in Michigan.
Regional Communications Manager, Kristin Schrader, showed us what communication resources
are available through GLARO including information, email, and graphic design.
Last, but not least, Todd Bishop and Russ Terry enlightened us about other conservation funding
sources beyond the grassroots methods we are all familiar with; Major Gifts, Feather Society, and Initiativebased funding such as Dane and Mike facilitate through their projects.
Needless to say at the end of the visit, Rod and I were very impressed with the organization and
staff at GLARO. We were also suffering an advanced case of information
overload. I am not sure yet what sunk in.
GLARO is having an Open House December 14, 2012 in conjunction
with the dedication of a plaque in honor of past Michigan D.U. State Chairmen.
I urge you to attend if you can fit it into your busy schedules.
Thank you,
Pete
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