Damien Hartung, district chairman for Ducks Unlimited, said there is still a misconception about the organization.
“A lot of people think Ducks Unlimited is all about the hunters going out and harvesting ducks,” he said. “It’s really not. There is a bad misperception about that.”
The organization is set for its Fremont Area Dinner on Thursday night at Christensen Field. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner set for 7. A live auction will follow.
Ducks Unlimited is a wetlands conservation group that encompasses the United States, Canada and Mexico, Hartung said.
“Our main goal is to restore wetlands, not only just for waterfowl but for all wildlife,” he said. “It is pretty much used for waterfowl, though.”
Ducks Unlimited will celebrate its 85th anniversary in January. The organization’s roots are also deep in Nebraska. This is the 54th year of the Fremont Chapter.
Hartung plays a key role in the group. He oversees seven different chapters within the Platte Valley district, including Burt/Washington County, Fremont, Wahoo, North Bend, Schuyler, Columbus and West Point.
He said the annual dinner is a popular event. There are various items available for the live and silent auctions as well as the raffles.
“We have several different items. We have custom-made ducks and goose calls. We have lots of artwork and several firearms. I don’t even know how many firearms we’re going to be giving away that night but it is upwards of 30. We’ll have prints, hunting trips, all sorts of good stuff.”
Hartung said the Fremont community has been very supportive of the annual event, including all of the sponsors.
“We thank the community a lot for the continued support,” he said. “We have over 40 sponsors who sponsor us every year. We thank all of them for supporting us every single year.
Tickets are still available for the event. If interested, contact Hartung at 402-880-0148 or Renae Lockhart, area chairman, at 402-719-8310.
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