Francis Creek Sportsman’s Club will host its 23rd annual “Show Off Your Buck Contest” March 1 at its clubhouse on the corner of Parkway and Polifka roads, north of Francis Creek.

Entry fee is $5 per rack. Racks can be registered between noon and 5 p.m. and you must have your DNR confirmation number with the rack. All racks will be judged by points plus spread.

The top three racks in each category will be awarded with payout at 10% in each category. The categories include Adult-Gun and Bow, Youth (ages 12-16 years) Gun and Bow, and Out of State.

A main gun raffle will be drawn at 6:30 p.m. and many door prizes are included. Food and drinks will be available. 10% of all proceeds goes to the Manitowoc chapter of Pink Heals. All entries receive a chance at additional door prizes.

NEWGLSF 50th annual banquet is March 8

Northeastern Wisconsin Great Lakes Sport Fishermen’s 50th annual banquet will be at City Limits, 3627 County CR, Manitowoc, March 8. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. and a buffet dinner will be served from 5 to 7 p.m.

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Banquet tickets are available through March 5 at Popp’s Harbor Town Citgo, Manitowoc; Klein’s Hardware Hank, Two Rivers; or from Fred Schnell by calling 920-901-6020.

Tickets are $35 and no tickets will be sold at the door. A limit of 300 will be sold.

Raffle ticket packages must be picked up at City Limits between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. March 8, or when doors open at 4:30 p.m. If picking up tickets in the morning, people are advised to use the back door.

Raffle ticket packages must be ordered in advance from Fred Schnell by calling 920-901-6020. Hundreds of prizes will be included in the form of door and raffle prizes. Silent and live auctions will also be held.

NEWGLSF supports natural resource preservation and enhancement, plus events that promote outdoor youth mentoring.

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Friends of Branch River holding bluebird house painting for kids

Friends of Branch River Watershed will again hold a bluebird house painting for youngsters. It will be at Woodland Dunes Nature Center and Preserve from 1 to 3 p.m. March 2.

Bluebird houses and painting supplies will be provided. The event is open to youngsters of any age.

Clarks Mills club’s statewide fishing derby is March 1-2

Clarks Mills Sportsmans Club will hold its 17th annual statewide fishing derby March 1-2.

Weigh-in is prior to 7 p.m. Mach 1. Final weigh-in is before 3 p.m. March 2.

Register at Popp’s Harbor Town, Klein’s Hardware Hank, Spudz and Schuh Factory.

Entry fee is $5 for kids and adults.

A sheepshead card tournament will be offered at noon March 1 at the club, just west of Clarks Mills. Food and refreshment will be available all weekend.

For more information, contact Tyler at 920-323-4343.

Maribel club offers hunter safety courses

Maribel Sportsman’s Club will hold two hunter safety courses and one bow hunter safety course this spring.

Hunter safety course No. 1 will run 6 to 9 p.m. April 10 and 17, and finish up from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. April 19.

Hunter safety course No. 2 will run 6 to 9 p.m. April 24 and May 1, and finish up from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. May 3.

The bow hunter safety course will run 6-9 p.m. May 6, 13 and 15.

Pre-registration is required for any of these courses by calling me, Bob Schuh, at 920-682-3106.

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FORWARD Endowment announces recipients

The FORWARD Endowment — the Manitowoc County trust established to fund projects focused on hunting, fishing, conservation and related education — has announced grant recipients for the 2024 season.

Just under $13,000 in grants were awarded to the following recipients:

• Manitowoc County Fish & Game for the Carstens Lake fishing pier;
• Friends of Camp Tapawingo for fishing program equipment;
• CEI Inc. Manitowoc County for monthly education programming; and
• Manitowoc County Fish & Game for member eevelopment – website management.

The organization said the number of requests was down in 2024 and additional funds were available.

FORWARD stands for “Friends of Resources, Wildlife and Recreational Development.” It was founded by the Manitowoc Unit of Manitowoc County Fish & Game in 1993 and has become the premier conservation trust in the area.

In 2023, the organization moved to a new “uni-trust” format that provides more funding for projects. The trust has been supported by a combination of funding from area sporting clubs and private donations.

Manitowoc County Fish & Game Protective Association has been a major supporter of the fund through its Annual Banquet proceeds each year. The community can also make donations.

The FORWARD Endowment, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has provided more than $160,000 in grants to projects and groups in Manitowoc County. Donors can make checks payable to The FORWARD Endowment c/o Associated Bank.

For more details, email [email protected] or go to mantyfg.com.

That’s it for this week, so have fun in the great outdoors.