OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek From left, D.U. committee members Chris McKelvy, Tricia DeJoe and Chairman Ron Romance display some of the auction items that were available at the 2019 Ducks Unlimited banquet held on Saturday.

Saturday evening, the Northern Chautauqua Chapter of Ducks Unlimited held their annual fundraiser banquet and live auction at Blessed Mary Angela Parish Social Center in Dunkirk. This popular event has been growing by leaps and bounds and had to move to the new hall because of the size of the membership. Chairman Ron Romance commented that last year they were filled to capacity and 2019 saw an increase of at least 35 more members. That’s great news for migratory waterfowl as the funds generated at D.U. fundraisers go to protect wetlands, which are vital for the continued existence of waterfowl.

D.U. has a great return on donations, with 83 cents of every dollar they take in going towards habitat conservation. This ratio is one of the highest percentage rates of recognized non-profit organizations. The Northern Chautauqua Chapter has been around since the mid 70s, with events held at the Con Club, The Moniuszko Club, The Kosciuszko Club, First Ward Falcons, The Elks, The Moose, Brocton VFW, The Fredonia Beaver Club, to name a few. The format remains the same. Get a great nucleus of volunteers, a great package of merchandise supplied by Duck’s Unlimited, a good meal, and an auctioneer, and of course a great crowd, and you end up with success. Beautiful paintings and numbered waterfowl prints, along with realistic decoys and collectible firearms are the big attraction for these events.

This year, the decoy of the year was a greenwing teal decoy by artist Jeff Brunet. The handgun of the year is a Glock Model 19 with knife. Note that whoever wins this auction item, along with all of the 14 guns that will be up for grabs this year, will have to pass a National Instant Criminal background check before they can take possession of these firearms. The shotgun of the year is a Benelli SBE3 12 gauge with special waterfowl engravings, a limited edition serial number and more. All the waterfowl prints are museum quality framed and matted, that usually become family heirlooms. A special thanks goes out to area merchants, businesses and donors who contribute funds and merchandise to make this event an annual success. There were over 60 sponsors this year who were all recognized and acknowledged for their help and 15 committee members who helped the event go smoothly. Thanks to everyone who made 2019 another success.

Calendar: The W.N.Y. Sports and Travel Expo at the Hamburg Fairgrounds ends today.

Note that Southtowns Walleye Association (Hamburg) will be holding their Special People Fishing Days on Monday through Saturday next week from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. each day. Reservations are required. For more information contact Elaine at 716-893-0733 or go to southtownswalleye.org.

The Landers Pennsylvania Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting their 26th annual Gun Show on March 16 from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. and 3/17 from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Admission is $5 and will include a chance to win a $150 gift Card. Landers is 14 miles from Jamestown. For more information call (814) 757-9466.

The WNY Chapter of the Safari Club Intentional will have their monthly meeting on April 3, at Michael’s Banquet facility located on Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg. The guest speaker will be NYSDEC Biologist Emilio Rende, giving a report on the recent DEC Turkey study . This meeting is free and open to the public.

There will be a Pistol Course at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club on Wednesday, March 27 from 5:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. Note there is an $80 fee for taking this course. For further information, contact Gary Dudek at 366- 3397.

The Lake Erie Outdoor & Fishing Show will return on Saturday, April 6 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel in Dunkirk. For information contact the OBSERVER at 366-3000 extension 420. This event started up last year and turned out to be a big success and this year could be even better!

The Ellery Rod & Gun Club located on Pancake Hill Road, Bemus Point will host their Spring Shoot on Sunday, April 7 starting at 9 a.m., which will include Lucky Shot and Slug. Bring your own size 7 1/2 or size 8 shot shells. Breakfast will be served from 8 a.m. until 11 for $6. Raffles too! Open to the public.

On April 13-14, there will be a gun show at Ashtabula County Fairgrounds (Ashtabula County Expo Center Building), 127 North Elm Street, Jefferson, Ohio. Show hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Call Larry at 792-9972 for information or go to LRsportingEvents.com.

The Bear Lake Rod & Gun Club will host a hunter Safety Training course on Saturday, April 13 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. To register for this one day course you must register online at NYS DEC Hunter Bowhunter-Trapper Ed Course Sign Up Link. For questions go to vince@villageofwestfield.org or call 753-6347.

The NYS Youth Wild Turkey Hunting weekend is April 20-21.

Free Monday night fly tying instruction has resumed at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, located at Mullet Street in Dunkirk. Classes are for all levels of fly tying, but especially for beginners. No equipment is necessary. All participants get to keep their productions. Classes are from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. The classes are open to the public. Sometimes they even have homemade cookies! Note that The Children of the Stream Youth Fly Fishing Program have changed the dates to their program to Mondays from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Costello Community Room (P84) in the new addition to the Rockefeller Arts Center at SUNY Fredonia. This program is in its 18th year of providing weekly free fly tying and fly fishing classes to both youths and adults in our area. You do not need any prior experience to attend these classes, and the course is geared towards ages 10 and older. For more information contact Alberto Rey at 410-7003 or alberto@albertorey.com.

If your club or organization is holding a hunter safety training/trapping course or a turkey shoot or any other outdoors event, and would like to see it posted in the calendar, send information to the OBSERVER, 10 East Second Street, Dunkirk, NY 14048, or call the sports department at 366-3000 ext. 5 after 6 p.m.

Note: If you have a big game fishing or trapping success story you would like to share, call 366-1772, or 467-2079 and leave a name, phone number and a time you can be reached. You can also call 366-3000, ext. 5, after 6 p.m. or email sports@observertoday.com.