Delta Hires Hudak as VP of Membership, Marketing (Posted November 4, 2008)

Bismarck, ND—Delta Waterfowl has hired longtime marketing executive Pat Hudak as its vice president of membership and marketing.

Before joining Delta, Hudak worked nearly 12 years for Cabela’s in Sidney, Nebraska. Hudak specializes in direct mail and corporate partnerships, among other marketing duties.

“Pat will bring a tremendous amount of professional knowledge and expertise in fulfilling a key role in Delta’s growing team,” said Delta Vice President John Devney. “Pat has deep relationships within the hunting community that will serve Delta very well in fashioning partnerships with leaders in the industry. He also is a passionate hunter and conservationist, so he’ll fit right in around here.”

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Long Point Youth Hunt Adds New Hunters (Posted October 29, 2008) by Jeff Helsdon

The key to the future of waterfowling is introducing new hunters to the sport, according to mentors in a recent Delta Waterfowl youth hunt.

Members of the Long Point Delta Waterfowl chapter teamed up with the Long Point Waterfowlers and several other conservation organizations for the second annual Youth Waterfowl Day at the Long Point Waterfowl Unit on Oct. 4. They taught 20 new hunters the basics of waterfowling and then took them into the marsh.

The day started at 9 a.m. with a morning full of seminars on topics such as firearms safety, calling, waterfowl identification, processing birds, decoys, retriever demonstrations and information on the importance of conservation. Primed with a good lunch, the 20 young hunters headed to the marsh for the afternoon hunt.

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Outdoor Legend Tony Dean Dies (Posted October 21, 2008)

The outdoor world lost one of its most eloquent and passionate voices this week when award-winning broadcaster Tony Dean died from complications following an appendectomy.  He was 67.

Dean, who was born Anthony DeChandt, will be remembered as a fierce defender of wildlife and natural resources.  His “Tony Dean Outdoors” television show and his “Dakota Backroads” radio show earned more than 160 national awards, and he was personally recognized by numerous conservation organizations and agencies. 

He died early Sunday morning at his Pierre, South Dakota home watching ducks on his beloved Missouri River, wife Darlene and their children by his side.

“Sportsmen lost a great friend this week, and so did I,” says Delta Waterfowl Editor Dan Nelson, who knew Dean for 35 years.   “Not every hunter and fisher knew his name, but their world is a far better place for him being here.”

“He gave me a lot of help when I was starting getting started as an outdoor writer,” recalls Associate Editor Tori J. McCormick.  “He didn’t have to, but he did.  He was always there for young outdoor communicators.”

“He was a one-of-a-kind broadcaster, and he’ll be greatly missed,” said Senior Vice President John Devney, a frequent guest on Dean’s radio and television shows.

“He was a true hero of conservation,” added Delta President Rob Olson.

Dean was a member of the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, the Izaak Walton League of America’s (IWLA) executive board, the board of directors of the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA), the North Dakota Fishing Hall of Fame and the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame.

He also was the recipient of OWAA’s Jade of Chiefs Award, the organization’s highest recognition for conservation.

A memorial fund has been established in Tony’s name. Funds will be used to purchase a public recreation area for public hunting. Donations can be sent to: Tony Dean Memorial Fund, 1013 North Grand, Pierre, SD 57501.

Delta's Youngest Committee Member Making a Difference for Ducks, Duck Hunters (Posted October 14, 2008) by Jeff Helsdon

At just 12, Tori Morse speaks about conservation and hunting like someone with more years under her belt. As Canada’s youngest Delta Waterfowl committee member she is a representation of what the organization’s hunting advocacy work is all about.

“Her enthusiasm is infectious and she is a reminder of why we are involved in this great organization,” said Port Rowan committee chair Mike Kunkel. “We could not have had a better representative at our youth prize table at our banquet.”

Tori, who hails from Woodstock, ON, talks about hunting and conservation to other students every chance she gets. When the annual elementary public speaking competition came around two years ago in Grade 5, she did her speech on Delta, hunting and conservation. “I think it woke a lot of kids up,” she said. “They noticed there was a lot of problems with predators and an overpopulation of geese.”

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