By Bruce Ross, Executive Director bross@wisducks.org; 262-224-4949
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s June, 2022 Newsletter edition.
Dale Arenz. Photo courtesy Paul A. Smith
Dale passed away May 13th from complications associated with cancer. His full obituary may be read here. A committed Wisconsin Waterfowler, Dale was one of the strongest supporters and leaders of WWA. He attended WWA’s inaugural event in 1984 and was hooked. He went on to become our first life sponsor, creator of the state shoot and more, and served in various leadership positions including board president for over a decade. It was a no-brainer to make him a first-round hall of fame selectee. Here’s the write-up from that induction ceremony.
“Dale joined WWA back in its first full year of existence by attending the Association’s first banquet, held in 1984. Dale became more involved in the organization over the years, elected as a member of the Board of Directors in 1999, Secretary in 2001 and then as President in 2003, a term he held for 10 years. Throughout his tenure, Dale also founded and Chaired WWA’s State Shoot at Wern Valley, wrote many articles for Wisconsin Waterfowl magazine and notably, became WWA’s first Life Sponsor to the Association. Dale is proud to share the story of his own personal WWA habitat restoration project, Sally’s Marsh, a 100-acre wetland contained within a farm Dale co-owns. Dale has installed 52 wood duck box houses on the Marsh and reports that success has increased 50% through the scrape WWA completed on his property.”
He loved “his” marsh – Sally’s Marsh – located in western Waukesha County. He loved wetlands in general, one of the reasons he was so successful in shepherding this organization. He helped grow WWA during his tenure, and kept it focused on its missions. He continued to support WWA in various ways until his recent passing, including financial support and most recently sharing early WWA memorabilia for historical and fundraising purposes. He was even a WWA advocate with his dying wishes, suggesting that WWA donations (in lieu of flowers) be his friends’ and family’s tribute to his outdoor-committed life.
To get a sense of what a hunt with Dale was like as he oared his skiff “the Old Duck Hunter” around Sally’s Marsh, consider this article penned by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Outdoor writer, Paul Smith. Thank you Paul, for sharing it. https://archive.jsonline.com/sports/outdoors/104643834.html/
I am reminded of the biography of Gordon MacQuarrie, by Keith Crowley:
“Then he heard the call of all the Old Duck Hunters who had gone before. Al was there; so was Fred. They waved him into the blind and hushed him with a mittened hand on his knee. Around the lake he saw the huddled forms of other Old Duck Hunters, crouched behind walls of jack-pine and scrub oak, their faces hidden as they instinctively reacted to the sound of wingbeats overhead. Hundred-year-old wooden blocks bobbed in the wind-torn waters before them. He didn’t recognize the others, but he knew them just the same. He was sure Carl was out there, and Hank, and Chad, too.
Above his blind the bluebills were circling, unsure whether to slide right into the decoys or make for calmer water. The lead bird decided for them, and with a sound like tearing silk they committed to the spread. The Old Duck Hunters rose as one, and the sound of their shots, muffled by earflaps and heavy coats, still echo on the shoreline of Libby Bay. The birds that remained were quickly swept out into the big lake, but there was no cause to worry. They would be tossed by the waves onto the sandy shore across the bay, where they would be picked up when the hunt was over.”
Dale, thank you for the legacy you’ve left with us.
Dale in his boat, “the Old Duck Hunter” out on his beloved Sally’s Marsh. Photo courtesy Paul A. Smith