SHULLSBURG — Lafayette County families and the environment will benefit from action taken by eight groups serving on the Lafayette County Sportsman Alliance Inc. Board of Directors.
At their annual meeting March 27, they voted to support three major initiatives, elected directors and officers, met Quinn Erdmann of Pass It On — Outdoor Mentors and Outdoor Heritage Education Center, and interacted with Department of Natural Resources (DNR) personnel who provided updates on key issues. They also firmed up assignments for annual Earth Day activities at Blackhawk Memorial Park in Woodford, April 25, inviting fifth graders from all Lafayette County schools to a day of free outdoor skills activities.
Argyle Rod & Gun Club, Belmont Sportsmen’s Club, Blackhawk Sportsman Club, Blanchardville Rod & Gun Club, Fayette Sportsman’s Club, Gratiot Conservation Club, Izaak Walton League of America’s Southwestern Wisconsin Chapter, and Shullsburg Conservation Club reaffirmed their commitment to connect residents with nature-based activities as well as recruit, retain, and reactivate hunters, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts.
The Alliance agreed to support these three initiatives presented by the charitable nonprofit Outdoor Heritage Education Center (OHEC) organization based in Hazel Green:
1. Midwest Outdoor Heritage Education Expo (MOHEE) which brings busloads of students to America’s largest free outdoor skills field trip at MacKenzie Center, north of Madison, and a second event at Havenwoods State Forest in southeast Wisconsin. Record pre-registered attendance of 5,177 students, teachers, and parent chaperones will participate at dozens of hands-on learning stations run by conservation groups, DNR professionals, and other instructors.
2. OHEC Mobile Closet, an enclosed trailer filled with loaner gear for Learn to Hunts, firearms safety training, hunter education classes, and other events. With help from Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, the OHEC Mobile Closet is available free for any school or other group hosting events.
3. Touch of the Wild, a fleet of five unique walk-through trailers filled with taxidermy you can touch and interactive outdoor education exhibits. They travel throughout the region to schools, fairs, and other events to generate awareness and interest in nature-based activities as well as the positive role of hunters, anglers, and trappers in conservation. Reservation details are at www.OHECyes.org.
The Alliance re-elected Brad Lamont of Darlington as President, Dave Breunig of Darlington as Vice President, and Steve Staver of Shullsburg as Secretary/Treasurer. The Alliance elected the following directors from each club:
● Brian Mundt from Argyle Rod & Gun Club
● Pete Bonin from Belmont Sportsmen’s Club
● Tallie Everson from Blackhawk Sportsman Club
● Kevin Phillips from Blanchardville Rod & Gun Club
● Maverick Muhlstein from Fayette Sportsman’s Club
● Wayne Stietz from Gratiot Conservation Club
● Harold Peart from Izaak Walton League of America’s Southwestern Wisconsin Chapter
● Tom Teutschmann from Shullsburg Conservation Club.
Donations to the Alliance can be sent to, LCSA, 230 Hellers Ct., Shullsburg, WI 53586.