For a quarter century now, the Greenbelt chapter of Whitetails Unlimited has been raising money for conservation of natural habitat land in Iowa. Last Friday, they held their 25th Anniversary dinner at Memorial Hall here in Eagle Grove. Tickets were completely sold out.
Whitetails, as organizer Tim Powers explained, has always been a midwestern thing. Originally founded in 1982 in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, the organization of and for hunters, conservationists and outdoor sports enthusiasts has grown to over 500 chapters nationwide. With “40ish” in Iowa, and one, the Greenbelt chapter, here in Wright County.
According to Powers, some of the guys involved in the 25th anniversary dinner “have been involved from the beginning.” He pointed out locals Tim Brooks, and Jim Cherry.
“Most of our money goes to conservation like habitat and public land. But it has to be open for hunting,” said Brooks. “It has to be available to all the people.”
“Half of whatever profit is made goes to local, and half to state and national,” said Powers, adding that keeping so much of the money locally, but preserving hunting grounds all over the state and country was why he got involved in the organization.
Asked how much land they’ve been able to preserve, Brooks laughed, looking mind boggled, and just replied, “oh heck… a LOT!” And this year they raised enough to preserve $7,000.00 worth more.
Attendees enjoyed a meal catered by HyVee, and participated in raffles and games to win a variety of valuable prizes including guns, outdoor sporting equipment, and collectibles.
