QDMA Gateway Branch Inaugural Banquet – 10/13/05

The Gateway Branch of the QDMA kicked off its’ first banquet with resounding success. Attendees were well fed and well entertained throughout an evening filled with fun and fellowship. After a delicious meal was served, Lonnie Hanson of the Missouri Department of Conservation provided an informative look at Missouri’s management objectives, challenges, hunting forecasts, and results of their current antler restriction pilot study.

After Lonnie fielded questions from the audience, it was on to the beginning of seemingly non-stop prizes. Every person in attendance had a legitimate chance to win one or more of several thousand dollars in merchandise. Many of these wonderful prizes were donated by local vendors and corporate sponsors.

Then it was Grant Woods turn to entertain the crowd with his Deer Management 101 seminar. This was particularly appropriate considering Grant still calls the Missouri Ozarks home.

Finally, the evening commenced in a blur with a live auction and grand raffle that kept everyone in suspense and looking forward to more wonderful activities from the Gateway Branch of the QDMA. We’ll do our best not to disappoint them. In the meantime, a huge thanks goes out to all who participated in the event and to those who donated their dollars and efforts to make this banquet work so well.