Ducks Unlimited (DU) EUP Chapter Coordinator Daniel F. Heuer has announced the organization’s 45th banquet at the Elks #552 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday) evening.
“We have helped in preserving 5,875 acres of habitat restoration in Chippewa County, the second largest amount within the state of Michigan,” Heuer stated.
According to Ducks Unlimited, its conservation programs are driven by hundreds of years dedicated to waterfowl preservation research.
DU conserves grasslands, forests and watersheds by working with its many partners and land owners, acquiring wetlands to protect and study.
Since mallards, pintails and teal build nests in grassy wet areas, the DU must secure their natural habitats by replanting forests and replenishing dry wetlands. DU has reforested more than 178,000 acres in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley, simultaneously working to restore its backwaters.
Ranked DU priority “level II” is the Great Lakes region.
Its research estimates a wetland loss average of one percent per year. The DU maintains the declining wildlife population reflects this loss, affecting breeding and migration patterns. In restoring the Great Lakes ecosystem, DU will provide habitat for breeding and migrating mallards, wood ducks and blue-winged teal. It seeks to improve water quality in coastal areas to replenish food resources and managing water levels.
Heuer’s life is dedicated, wholly, to wetland preservation. This task corresponded with illness resulting in surgery. Regardless of how Heuer felt, he still had to make a living.
“I absolutely love duck hunting,” said Heuer, looking back to the year life changed in 1979.
Like the mallards he now protects, the avid outdoorsman found peace in watery, grassy habitats.
“I needed a job,” said Heuer, the desire to work for himself weighing in the back of his mind. “While recuperating, I made a barn wood painting.”
He sold it and the buyer came back later that same day, asking for more. He thought there could be something more to his newfound hobby.
“I did it until I got healed enough,” he said. “I thought maybe I could paint. I was self taught. One thing led to another. I kept at it. Everyone wants to be a success. I wanted to start a series of paintings.”
An almost instant sign appeared in the shadows of one of his works.
“I spent days in Israel,” said Heuer. “I did not know seven was in the painting until a minister showed it to me. That is God’s number for perfection.”
At the time, he had no idea his passion for wildlife would ensure a future with DU.
“Since 79, I have donated a lot of artwork,” said Heuer about his commitment to wetland preservation. “I used to get hundreds of requests for donations. They asked me to come to dinners and I brought some paintings.”
For every duck Heuer has shot, he believes 1,000 more have been given sustainable life. Approximately 84 percent of the funds collected from DU hosted games goes back into marsh lands.
“With this dinner, we are going to have a lot of merchandise,” said Heuer. “It will be a great event with tons of stuff: guns, chairs, artwork, decoys, tents, home decor and a little bit of everything.”
Heuer has listed some DU 2022 banquet items available for raffle on Saturday, including a DU 2022 Weatherby Mark V Bolt Action Rifle, chambered in the 6.5 300 Weatherby Magnum, with a bore sighted Leupold VX Freedom 4-12x40 Scope. There are 20 tickets available at $100 each.
Another item will be the DU 2022 Benelli SBE3 20-gauge semi-automatic shotgun with extended interchangeable choke tubes, coin finished receiver and DU walnut stock “special” DU S/N. There are 100 tickets available at $20 each.
A DU 2022 Colt 1911 Stainless Classic, semi-automatic pistol chambered in .45ACP, stainless steel frame and slide, five inch barrel, DU Logo with a hard case will be on raffle.
There are 75 tickets available at $20 each. A Centerpoint Crossbow, 400 fps, 200 lbs draw weight is stocked for raffle. Cash prizes will be split with DU when purchasing 100 squares at $10 each or three for $20. Live silent auction general raffle tables will include an assortment of DU items.
Meanwhile, sit back and enjoy a buffet style chicken and pork medallion dinner with all the trimmings. Finish it off with desert catered by the Elks.
The 45th Ducks Unlimited anniversary will take place at the Sault Elks Lodge #552 on 1111 East Portage Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. on Saturday, April 23 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. DU members will pay $35 per person to attend.
To order from Ducks Unlimited online visit: www.ducks.org/michigan/events
View wetland art by EUP Chapter Coordinator Daniel F. Heuer by visiting heuerart.com. He may be reached at 906-248-2191.
