Cheyenne/Quivira Ducks Unlimited (DU) chapter 007 will host its annual banquet, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at the Columbus Club, formerly the Knights of Columbus, in Great Bend to help raise funds for the organization’s wetlands and waterfowl conservation mission.

In December the chapter held a Greenwing shoot which involved youth members whose names were drawn during the 2023 banquet. Funds for the youth event were provided by an auction donation made by Terry Raymer. 

“Terry donated a print to the auction during last years banquet and the money that was raised went towards the shoot,” said Jerry Ney, chapter committee member. 

“It was really a good group of kids and they shot really well”, said Ney. “They bagged 55 out of 70 birds.”

DU members hope to make the youth event annual with the print being re-donated each year.

“The print is being donated back to the banquet auction again this year with the hope and goal to make it a tradition to keep funding this event.”

The European style hunt was held at a local hunting preserve and controlled shooting area. 

“We were really happy with the style of the hunt and felt it allowed kids of different skills to participate,” Ney continue. “It was nice that they didn’t have the walking of a traditional pheasant hunt and it allowed us to focus on safety while keeping an eye on all the shooters.”

The December event saw seven youths with future goals to expand the number to 12. The winner of the auction selects one participant and the remaining slots are drawn from youths, ages 11-17, present at the banquet. 

The Great Bend based Cheyenne/Quivira DU Chapter 007 is the seventh oldest and second largest chapter in Kansas and regularly among the top fund-raisers and in 2024 is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Those interested in attending this year’s banquet should contact Eldridge Fencing or Jerry Ney at 620-786-1017.