Projects
Wood Duck Project
The wood duck project started in 2001 with 16 nest boxes being put up in the Mead Wildlife area west of Stevens Point. Another 24 houses were added in 2002, 11 in 2003, 12 in 2004, and 15 more as of February 2005. So there are now 78 nest boxes in the Mead that the Ikes are checking. Checking is usually the 1st or 2nd week of February. The wood duck project was a source of data for the Ikes 2003 & 2004 CNR Student Research Symposium poster. We are currently working on our new Research Symposium project with our combined data from 2003-2005.
Find out more about the Wood Duck Project here
Youth Conservation Day
Each year the Student Chapter of the Izaak Walton League organizes an event called Youth Conservation Day. With the help of the Bill Cook chapter and various student organizations, the Bill Cook Student Chapter teaches kids (ages 8-12) from Big Brothers/Big Sisters about a variety of outdoor activities. The day is divided into several 30-45 minute presentations/activities that the children rotate between throughout the day. Kids love the numerous demonstrations and many hands on activities provided during the event.
2nd annual YCD
1st annual YCD
Last year was a disappointment since only a couple kids showed up. The REGI raptor group was there as well as Fire Crew, DNR, Herpetology society, and several other events. Unfortunately, we decided to postpone the event for 2005 and 2006.
3D Bow Shoots
Every September, we plan a bow shoot at the Bill Cook Izaak Walton club grounds located on Hwy 66 east of Stevens Point. The event usually takes place on a Wednesday afternoon, one week before Wisconsin's bow season. The course consists of a walking trail with roughly 25 - 3D targets, ranging from elk and timber wolves, to the illusive poison dart frog. You start your walk near the club house and wind around throughout the club ground trails, until you reach the parking lot again. A fee consists of $5.00 for non-members, and $3.00 for members. You can also purchase an annual membership at this event (note - the annual membership must be renewed in January). This year we had roughly 15 students participate, unfortunately we were blessed with rain showers before the event started, which might have kept some people at home.
We also held our first annual Spring Bow Shoot on April 20th, 2005. The weather was outstanding and the turnout was one of the bests so far. This course also consisted of 17(+/-) stations and several stations had two targets. One minute you would be shooting 40 yards through brush at a lion, and the next minute you might be squeezing your arrows between some trees shooting at a full strut gobbler. We definitely plan on making the Spring Bow Shoot an event for next year! Thanks to all those who helped or attended!
Check out some Bow Shoot Pictures
Target Building
As most of you know, the Bill Cook chapter has a well maintained trap range as well as bow and rifle ranges. Unfortunately, earlier this fall some ruffians shot up several of the targets that the Bill Cook chapter provides. We thought it would be a great idea to offer our time and energy into building some new targets before deer season came-when the rifle range probably gets most its use. We decided to have our Wednesday meeting at the Bill Cook Izaak Walton club grounds so we could assemble some targets, as well as indulge ourselves in a pandemonium of power tools and pizza. In a couple hours we built 5 brand new targets, fixed a shot up one, and modified a couple other target stands.
Check out the Target Building pictures
Big Bucks and Member's Hunts
Website maintained by Brian E Schmidt bschm323@uwsp.edu
©2005