LIVING DUCKS ON LIVING LAKES - Ducks Unlimited

Special points of interest:
• 2011 Chevy Truck Program
• Ducks Unlimited Living
Lakes Project s Visit
• Project Hall of Fame
• State Convention Photographs
• Minnesota Artist’s Corner
Inside this issue:
Chairman’s Chatter
2
Chapter Spotlight 3
The Business of
Volunteer Fundraising
DU Living Lakes
Project Visits
Project Hall of
Fame
2011 Chevy
Truck Program
State Convention
Photographs
4
6
8
10
12
Spring 2011
LIVING DUCKS ON
Diving ducks litter the
surface of Smith Lake, a
DU Living Lakes project
which was drawn down
by DNR this past winter
using an outlet designed
and built by DU.
LIVING LAKES
SPRING PROJECT VISITS
More about the DU Living Lakes Initiative
Spring Project Visits on Page 6
Official Newsletter of Minnesota Ducks Unlimited
Ringbill pairs using Gislason Lake, a
Ducks Unlimited Living Lakes Initiative
project completed last year.
Cattails Official Newsletter of Minnesota Ducks Unlimited

Page 2
Dave Flink,
State Chairman
Your Minnesota DU
State Committee
State Chair
Dave Flink
Hutchinson, MN
320-587-4246
dflink@mnducksvolunteer.org
State Council Chair
Less Ness
Chisago City, MN
651-257-6413
lness@mnducks.org
State Chair Elect
Tim Roble
Frazee, MN
218-334-4701
dtroble@yahoo.com
State Treasurer
Dan Scheffler
Northfield, MN
507-291-0311
danielscheffler1@gmail.com
State Volunteer
Recruitment Coord.
Dale Lusti
Buffalo, MN
763-682-3468
d.alelusti@aol.com
State Convention Chairs
Bob and Karen Sorenson
Albert Lea, MN
507-373-4931
bnksorenson@hotmailcom
State Major Gift Chair
Russ Klint
Benson, MN
320-239-4322
olcoot@metrolakes.com
State Chairman’s Chatter
Our spring banquet cycle is quickly coming to a close. To date, banquet results are positive
in year to year comparison. Our positive financial results didn’t happen by accident.
Your committees put extra effort into making adjustments. For example, your team might
have lowered budget expenses, added an extra raffle or, in some cases, had a stick-to-it
attitude and hosted an event. For your efforts, thank you.
Local committees are the heart and soul of Ducks Unlimited. The events you coordinate
play a critical role in recruiting new members and getting old members to recommit to
DU. As you pause to reflect on the event just held or are starting to consider your fall
banquet, think about how you can support the four “Rs”; recruit, retain, recommit and
recognize your team.
Our most successful chapters make recruitment a committee focus. They have come to
realize that committee success is directly related to recruitment. If you’re interested in
hosting a recruitment event, contact your zone chair or regional director to plan a recruitment
event. Our senior volunteers and staff have the experience to make your efforts
successful and rewarding.
Lastly, thank you for what you do for the ducks.
Hi Everyone,
We recently completed a statewide planning session in Buffalo on Decem-
Adam Hoekstra Dedication - May 7, 2011
Cattails Official Newsletter of Minnesota Ducks Unlimited

Spring 2011
Chapter Spotlight
Winona State University Chapter
The WSU Chapter is a rather new chapter, being only three years old, but they
have been making great strides in organizing and fundraising. They have doubled
their net/net from about $5,500 in their first year to almost $11,000 this year. Attendance
at their event has more than doubled from 80 at their first event to 172
at the 2011 event. The chapter now has 25 committee members and is striving to
make next year’s DU Sweet 16 listing of top producing collegiate chapters by adding
an outside raffle. These young DU committee members will also be great assets
to their local committees in the future. As RD John Marks puts it, “They are
rockstars and it keeps getting bigger and better”.
Volunteer Spotlight
Doug Cardwell got involved with DU many years ago because
he wanted to fill the skies and make sure future hunters,
such as his own kids, can enjoy waterfowl hunting like he
has. He has served as a Greenwing chair, area chair and currently
serves as a zone chair for southwest Minnesota. Doug
helps our environment as much as he can by being involved in
several different organizations working to help our environment.
"I will tell you DU is one of the best organizations I
have ever dealt with. If you have the passion like I do, join
your local chapter today. It's a great feeling to fill the skies
with ducks. Like the old saying goes, ‘fill the hall, fill the skies’.
Plus, by joining DU, you meet new people all the time."
Page 3
Winona State
University Logo
Winona State University
Chapter members
with their Mallard
Award at the 2011
state convention. Attending
are (front
row , left) Pete Kuisle,
Mike Carlson, Josh
Morrissey, Hunter
Brown (back row, left)
Tyler Johannsen, Carrie
Oswoski, Dan
Silwa, Ben Gauger,
Derek Hammen, and
Tyler Smude.
Doug and his son relax after working hard at a local
event.
Cattails Official Newsletter of Minnesota Ducks Unlimited

Page 4
The Business of Volunteer Fundraising By Terry Kostinec, Regional Director
Terry Kostinec,
Regional Director for
Central Minnesota
“Team
DU”
Do you have an interest in waterfowling, conservation, being on a winning team
and having fun?
Then you need to become a part of a truly successful volunteer organization:
Ducks Unlimited.
For almost 70 years DU has used the talents and dedicated service of its volunteers
to conserve more than 12 million wetland habitat acres in North America.
Achievements like this do not happen by accident. It takes groups of volunteers
at many levels to achieve this kind of impact on the landscape. Like everything
else in this world, the DU mission requires money to make it happen. Raising
money starts with people.
People = Money = Habitat = Ducks
DU offers passionate outdoor enthusiasts an opportunity to become part of a
volunteer fundraising team that is focused on a mission, dedicated to a cause
and infuses a lot of fun into the process.
DU starts at the local level with community chapters and hometown volunteers.
These volunteers are the backbone of the organization. DU offers these volunteers
the guidance, tools and information needed to plan and implement a successful
fundraising event. Local people are able to give what they can of their
time and talents. Some volunteers give a few hours, others can provide much
more. The important point is DU offers a constructive approach with successful
business methods to ensure all volunteers can help raise money to make a
difference.
Dave Flink educating volunteers at a Central Region district meeting.
Cattails Official Newsletter of Minnesota Ducks Unlimited

Spring 2011
The Business of Volunteer Fundraising (continued)
At the state level, Minnesota has another group of dedicated volunteers. These volunteers
came from the local ranks, but have stepped up to make a difference outside of
their home town. With titles like zone, regional and state chairman, all state volunteers
have past experience as chapter chairman on the local committee. They understand
what it takes to raise money at the local level. They now have the opportunity to work
with state fundraising programs that will positively impact the local events. Like most
promotions in the business world, they must go through advanced training so that all
state volunteers are working as a team delivering a consistent message with successful
results. As a senior volunteer, they have the opportunity to assist local chapters by
providing the most up-to-date information on successful volunteer recruitment techniques
and fundraising methods. Senior volunteers conduct district meetings throughout
the state each year to bring local chapters together
to share ideas and learn about the most successful fundraising
techniques. Senior volunteers provide the leadership
and experience necessary to help ensure more of
the money raised at the local events goes to funding the
DU conservation machine.
On the national level, a number of Minnesota volunteers
are providing DU with their time and talents developing
national grassroots fundraising goals and programs to
meet the future demands of DU conservation initiatives.
National DU volunteers come together a couple of times
a year. They use these opportunities to discuss trends,
learn about successful programs and develop a consistent
message and pathways that volunteers in every state can
follow to raise money and ensure the future of our waterfowl
hunting heritage.
Do you have what it takes to become
part of this team?
Contact the Minnesota DU State Office, 952-820-8174
Northern MN DU Calendar Raffle
Senior Volunteer Training
The 2012 DU Calendar 104 Gun Raffle is underway. $40 per calendar
• Tentative number of calendars...2,200...better odds to win than
• Two guns per week for the whole year...same year...same great, price but twice the guns!
YOUR CONTACT INFO WILL BE GIVEN TO THE LOCAL VOLUNTEER CHAP-
TER IN YOUR AREA AND YOU WILL BE CONTACTED BY THEM TO RECEIVE
YOUR CALENDAR. PLEASE BE SURE TO RESPOND QUICKLY AT THAT
TIME...CALENDARS CANNOT BE HELD FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.
Go to: www.duckscalendar.org to order yours.
DU volunteers
take their
business
seriously!
Page 5
2012 Minnesota Ducks
Unlimited Calendar
Cattails Official Newsletter of Minnesota Ducks Unlimited

Page 6
Cory Lake was full pool after being drawn down last
Some of the 200 redheads using
Cory Lake on April 20, 2011.
Gislason Lake outlet.
Spring DU Living Lakes Projects Visit
The Ducks Unlimited Living Lakes Initiative is designed to provide stepping stones for migrating
waterfowl as they travel across Minnesota and Iowa. This is especially important in the spring
when waterfowl are also attempting to build up their fat and protein reserves prior to nesting on
their northern prairie and boreal forest breeding grounds. This spring some DU Living Lakes
Initiative projects were visited by the editor and his wife to see if the ducks, particularly diving
ducks, are using the DU projects. In most years, puddle ducks have sheet water in the fields to
use as way stops on their migration north, but diving ducks need shallow lakes with submerged
aquatic vegetation and amphipods, like freshwater shrimp, to feed and replenish energy reserves.
The litmus test to see if this spring use is occurring is to visit the
lakes after the big push of the waterfowl migration has passed
through and the early migrants are far to the north. Diving ducks
using the Living Lakes projects at this time have found conditions to
their liking, namely lots of food. Therefore, the visits were made
later in April after the main migration had moved through.
The visits were in southwest Minnesota because of the several justcompleted
projects in that area. As hoped, several of the newlycompleted
projects were holding migrating waterfowl.
The first stop was Cory Lake on the Hamlin Wildlife Management
Area in Lac Qui Parle County. This project was completed last year
with a full drawdown occurring last summer. The wet spring conditions
refilled the lake and 200 redheads and several other ducks
were using it as a migration stop. With the way the drake redheads
were calling and displaying, some may stay to nest in the thick emergent
vegetation along the shore.
The next morning a walk around Gislason Lake in Lincoln County
revealed 500 ducks, mainly divers, using the lake. Gislason Lake sits
in part of the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge
and was a turbid lake with limited emergent vegetation. Last year,
DU constructed an outlet for the lake with an underground control
structure and a few hundred feet of outlet pipe. The lake was
drawn down last year and partially refilled with this spring’s runoff.
Emergents now rim the lake
and fill the bays.
Lesser scaup and other divers on Gislason Lake.
Cattails Official Newsletter of Minnesota Ducks Unlimited

Spring 2011
Spring DU Living Lakes Projects Visit Continued
The next stop was Lake Maria in Murray County. This lake was enhanced through the DU
Living Lakes Initiative a few years ago and has resulted in a return of vegetation and duck
use. Waterfowl have also returned with hundreds of coots and other divers using the lake.
Canvasbacks, redheads, and bluebills crowd the basin
at the north end of Lake Maria.
Emergent vegetation on Buffalo Lake.
Page 7
Lake Maria was in great shape with thick beds of emergent vegetation
where there use to be open water, devoid of vegetation.
The last stop was Buffalo Lake in Waseca County. This lake was also enhanced through the DU Living
Lakes Initiative a couple of years ago and has resulted in a return of vegetation. The amount of vegetation
was phenomenal, making it difficult to see ducks on the water, but a few were moving around the
lake.
As one travels southern Minnesota, it becomes apparent why the Ducks Unlimited Living Lakes Initiative
is so important. The lakes are few and far between in the sea of cropland. The remaining shallow lakes
are a small remnant of what once was and it becomes ever more important that each of these shallow
lakes be in good condition to serve as an oasis for the migrating flocks of waterfowl.
The Ducks
Unlimited
Living Lakes
Initiative is
already
paying huge
dividends.
Cattails Official Newsletter of Minnesota Ducks Unlimited

Page 8
The editor and his dogs
crossing the walkway on the
Unit I structure.
Spring 2011 photograph of Edwards
WPA Unit I, a 10 Stoplog Bay concrete
structure with a grate walkway
and railing. It is built in a large drainage
way that exits on the WPA.
PROJECT HALL OF FAME—EDWARDS WPA
Ducks Unlimited has been
doing projects in Minnesota
since 1986. There are literally
hundreds of DU projects
scattered around Minnesota.
In fact, many of the water
control structures on Waterfowl
Production Areas and
State Wildlife Management
Areas were designed and
built as Ducks Unlimited
projects. This column will
be a regular feature devoted
to describing some of these
older projects.
The Edwards WPA project
was a large series of projects
on Long Lake and Edwards
WPAs near Morris completed
in 1989. The Long
Lake-Edwards project consisted
of seven water control
structures and clean out of
the existing drainageway
through the entire complex.
It was a DU Life Sponsor
project with 40 Minnesota
Life Sponsors participating,
including such names as Les
Kouba, David Maass, Terry
Redlin and Win Stephens.
The Unit I water control
structure was the largest of
the project. It floods a dual
basin of about 60 acres. The
picture below was taken this
spring and shows the structure
doing its job and looking
in great shape. The
structure also prevents carp
from migrating up the outlet
creek from the nearby
Pomme De Terre River into
the wetland, and carp have
been seen schooling just
below the structure. U.S.
Fish and Wildlife staff maintain
and adjust the structure
to maintain optimum nesting
and brood rearing conditions.
Waterfowl have responded,
with great summer
use in the past.
Unit I under construction in 1989.
The wetland behind the Edwards WPA Unit I is
a small lake filled with emergent vegetation
providing excellent habitat for overwater
nesting waterfowl and broods. The surrounding
prairie is in nearly pristine condition, providing
upland nesters plenty of choices for nesting.
Cattails Official Newsletter of Minnesota Ducks Unlimited

Spring 2011
Minnesota Artists’ Corner—David Maass
David Maass’ career as a wildlife artist spans five decades. His
reputation as one of the foremost painters of nature art did not
occur overnight. This kind of recognition and the earned respect
of both his peers and the public have come one painting at a time,
through weeks, months and years of skillful dedication to his avocation.
A pioneer in the genre of nature art, Maass paved the way for
many new artists and helped make art more accessible for the
public. Maass is credited with the concepts of both the timelimited
print edition with his 1974 Federal Duck Stamp and the
edition series with “Misty Morning.” His artworks reveal an amazing
understanding of light and a diligent study of subject matter,
capturing in each piece the true spirit of the outdoors. More than
300 of Maass’ images appear in limited edition form produced
mainly by Wild Wings, his current and longtime publisher. Further
Maass’ work has donned the calendars of Brown & Bigelow
for more than 27 years. In June 1997, US ART honored Maass
with the prestigious title of Master Artist. These accomplishments
have made Maass one of the most popular guests at nature art
shows and festivals across the country.
As an avid conservationist, Maass continues to support efforts which benefit wildlife
and native habitat. He has designed 38 duck and conservation stamps, including
two of the coveted Federal Duck Stamps. David Maass was named Ducks
Unlimited Artist of the Year in 1974 and International Artist of the Year in 1988
and 2004, and has been honored as the DU Featured Artist at their Great Outdoors
Festival in Memphis, Tenn.. Maass has raised millions of dollars for conservation
causes by donating original artworks and limited edition
prints to various groups both nationally and internationally. A
traditional favorite in DU National Art packages, Maass painted
a four-year, four-print series for DU entitled “Fruits of Your
Labors” and followed up with a program called “Waterfowling
Hot Spots.” His personal appearances have assisted in public
relations efforts by extending the conservation message beyond
the hunter to the public at large.
Maass’ work has been published in countless magazines, journals
and books. Two books specifically featuring his images
are: “A Gallery of Waterfowl and Upland Birds”, a collection
of prose and artworks he produced with renowned outdoors
writer, the late Gene Hill; and, “The Wildfowl Art of David
Maass” by the late Michael McIntosh from the Masters of the
Wild Series.
Photos and biography courtesy of Wild Wings LLC—Lakeville,
Minn.
Page 9
“Dropping Fast—Wood
Ducks” is Maass’s entry for
Ducks Unlimited Artist of
the Year.
Cattails Official Newsletter of Minnesota Ducks Unlimited

Page 10
2011 Chevy Truck Program—A New Approach to a Great Program for MnDU
“Hay Days” includes real ducks, real dogs, and a real vintage Chevy Truck. Ducks fill the sky in
the background when the photograph was taken on a late fall day last year.
The 2011 Chevy
Truck Print has
been very
successful when
used in the live
auction.
Last year’s winner Colleen
Patterson realizing she had
the key to a new truck.
Chevrolet dealers across Minnesota can help your DU committee be even
more successful in 2011!
◊ A spectacular Event Edition of "Hay Days" by Minnesota photographer,
Lee Kjos, is available to each event in 2011 as a qualifying item to
win a chance to win new 2012 Chevrolet Silverado.
◊ A larger Dealer Edition of "Hay Days" is available for order by Chevrolet
dealers to use as a Silent Bid Auction item at the dealership. Even
better, some 50 Chevrolet dealers who are part of the Heartland
Chevrolet Dealer group have already received two Dealer Editions for
that purpose. Just make sure someone from your committee goes to
the dealership to get things going.
◊ An even larger National Edition of "Hay Days" is also available for
order by Chevrolet dealers for a variety of uses.
The bottom line is: get committee members into your local Chevrolet
dealer and you'll raise more money for your chapter at your event and at
the dealership. If you need more information,
contact your Regional Director.
The Chevy Truck Program has raised
almost $1.5 million for Minnesota DU.
The Art of
Making Your
Minnesota
Chevrolet
Dealer Your
Committee's
Best
Friend!
Cattails Official Newsletter of Minnesota Ducks Unlimited

Spring 2011
MINNESOTAN KEVIN BRENNAN WINS NATIONAL DU AWARD
.
KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 22, 2011 -
Ducks Unlimited honored a retired U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service district manager
from Minnesota with a Wetland Conservation
Achievement Award for his exceptional,
long-term contributions to wetlands
and waterfowl conservation. Kevin Brennan’s
leadership during his 24 years as manager
of the Fergus Falls Wetland Management
District resulted in the improvement
and protection of more than 26,000acres of
wetland and associated upland habitat in a
key portion of the Prairie Pothole Region of
Minnesota.
The award was made Friday during the 76th
Annual North American Wildlife and Natural
Resources Conference in Kansa City,
Mo. "I am very humbled by this award and want to thank Ducks Unlimited
for their many years of commitment to the vitally important waterfowl and
wetlands of the Prairie Pothole Region," Brennan said. According to DU’s
Manager of Conservation Programs for Minnesota Jon Schneider, Brennan’s
efforts were important to DU’s launching its Living Lakes initiative.
“Kevin accelerated wetland and shallow lake enhancement on waterfowl
production areas in Minnesota,” Schneider said. “Kevin was relentless and
innovative in his work to gain additional funding for habitat conservation
through partnering with conservation organizations and accessing federal
grant funds.” “Kevin recognized the need for active management to maintain
high quality habitat,” said Ryan Heiniger, DU director of conservation
programs for Minnesota. “He earned respect from everyone he worked
with as being very passionate and dedicated to wetlands restoration and
protection.”
Brennan, who served a total of 36 years with USFWS, had a deep interest
in educating people about waterfowl and wetland conservation, which motivated
him to lead the way in establishing the Prairie Wetlands Learning
Center. His championing of the learning center resulted a wide array of
partners coming together to create innovative environmental education programs
for both young people and adults. These programs include the successful
Prairie Science Class, which every school day integrates the prairie
wetland environment with traditional subjects for its 220 fourth and fifth
grade students.
Page 11
DU CEO Dale Hall
(left) with Wetland
Conservation
Achievement
Award winner
Kevin Brennan.
The U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service
has been a
long term partner
of DU in Minnesota
and around
the nation.
Cattails Official Newsletter of Minnesota Ducks Unlimited

Page 12
The Landowski Leadership Award winners—Myron and
Kathy Stevens.
Karen and Bob
Sorenson, the
state convention
chairs take
a much needed
break.
The Minnesota
DU State
Convention was
held Feb. 11 -
13, 2011 at
Craguns Resort
in Brainerd
2011 State Convention Photos
Zone Chair Award winners from each region with their regional directors.
The Jimmy Robinson Award winners Lee Ness (right) and Dick
Burch accept their awards from Terry Kostinec and Dave Flink.
Sleigh Ride
along snowy
Gull Lake.
Cattails Official Newsletter of Minnesota Ducks Unlimited

Spring 2011
DNR Commissioner Tom L:andwehr addresses the convention
attendees on Saturday afternoon.
Viking fans enjoy the Friday night party and refreshments.
State Representative Denny McNamara
2011 State Convention Photos
The Tommy Nelson Award winner, Tim Roble, accepts his award
from Regional Director Scott Anderson.
Ring toss participant.
Lee Ness and Tom Landwehr present the Minnesota Waterfowl
Conservation Officer of the Year Award to Officer Philip Seefeldt.
Page 13
Even Sioux fans were present.
Cattails Official Newsletter of Minnesota Ducks Unlimited

MINNESOTA DUCKS
UNLIMITED
6101 Kaymar Drive
Edina, MN 55436
Phone: 952-820-8174
Email: mndu@mtn.org
ducks.org
For articles and inserts please
send to Cattails Editor:
Brian Ross
14380 Memorywood Drive
Baxter, MN 56425
Phone: 218-825-0996
E-mail:
bross@mnducksvolunteer.org
You are Ducks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to
conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established
in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 12 million acres,
thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent.
Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward
the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today,
tomorrow and forever.
Minnesota DU Strategic Planning Meeting Group, December 4, 2010—Includes (front row, left) Jon
Schneider, Scott Anderson, Brian Ross, Mark Pederson, Ryan Heiniger, Dave Flink, Bob Sorenson,
The Buffalo Chapter celebrated its 25th Anniversary Banquet March 26, 2011. To celebrate, the
(second row, left) Lee Ness, Dale Lusti, Scott Schmidt, Matt Solemsaas, Ken Durdahl, Bill Aldinger,
chapter invited all past committee members. Shown are the current and numerous past commit-
Gary Erickson, J. R. Degroot, Ruth Hoefs, Karen Sorenson, (back row left) Greg Dziewesczynski,
tee members who attended.
John Koshiol, Karl Moore, (back right) Tim Roble, (not pictured) Terry Kostinec and Brad Jensen.
Recipe of the Month - Goose Gumbo
Ingredients:
6 Duck Breast Filets
1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
11/2 Fajita Seasoning Mix
1 Tablespoon Cayenne Pepper
1 Tablespoon Ground Cumin
1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
2 Teaspoons Vegetable Oil
1 Onion Sliced
1 Green Pepper Sliced
1 Red Bell Pepper Sliced
6 Flour Tortillas
Directions: 1. Rinse duck breasts, Pat dry. Cut into strips. 2. Combine duck strips, lemon juice, fajita
seasoning mix, garlic powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
3. Drain duck strips; discard liquid. Saute in oil until cooked. Keep warm. 4. Heat flour tortillas.
5. For each serving: Place 3 ounces duck, 4 ounces peppers and onions on plate. Serve with
warm tortillas. Garnish with lettuce, avocado slices, chopped peppers, cilantro, and salsa.
Cattails Official Newsletter of Minnesota Ducks Unlimited