By Matthew Martin, Southwest Wisconsin Chapter
All photos credited to Matthew Martin
This article appeared in the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s October 2026 eNewsletter.
15th Annual WWA – Craig Martin Legacy Youth Duck Hunt
On September 19th, 2026, members of the Southwest Wisconsin Chapter of the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association introduced four area youth to duck hunting. The participants were invited out to the Duck Inn Lodge, where they learned about local duck species, duck hunting methods, and gun safety. The afternoon’s activities included broasted chicken lunch catered by Huckleberry’s Restaurant, a gun safety review, a clay pigeon shoot in a variety of duck hunting situations, and a duck hunt in the Mississippi River bottoms. Before the hunt, each youth hunter received a hunting bag filled with hunting supplies and other goodies purchased with funds donated by our generous donors. After the hunt, one lucky youth hunter, Grady Elvert (pictured right), was drawn as the winner of a 12 Gauge pump shotgun, which Mark and Kati Forsythe donated.
This event would not be possible without our volunteer mentors. Many thanks to Nate Cejka, Mike Pettit, Ryan Stram, Ryan Deegan, Dylan Varo, Mikey Pettit, Matt Martin, Grant Martin, and Hope Martin. Special Thanks go out to Nate Cejka and the entire Cejka and Yeomans families for hosting the event at the Duck Inn Lodge!
The Craig Martin Legacy Fund sponsored this event, created to keep Craig’s passion for youth in the outdoors alive and well after his passing in 2012. Over the years, this fund has received generous donations from the Carolyn M and Leary E Peterson Family Foundation Inc., Mark & Kati Forsythe, Tom & Cheryl Olson of Big River Campground, Mark Fillback and The Fillback Family of Dealerships, Rick Lange Taxidermy, Mike Pettit via the 3M Foundation Volunteer Match program, Steve and Angie Jones of Jones’ Black Angus, Scott Yeomans of Sports World, Todd Lensing of Flyway Fowling Guide Service, Keith and Jenny Coleman, Josh and Katie Tonne, Matt & Gina Otts, Aaron and Bonnie Martin, Jeff Long, Jason and Cassie Hubanks, and the Skemp Family of Huckleberry’s Restaurant. To donate to the Craig Martin Legacy Fund, contact Matt Martin at 608-412-1249. Other outdoor-related youth organizations needing support can also contact Matt at the same number.
The Southwest Wisconsin Chapter of the WWA thanks all Sponsors, Donors, and past banquet attendees for making events like this possible. Wisconsin Waterfowl Association – Dedicated to the conservation of Wisconsin’s Waterfowl and Wetland Resources.
