Duck and owl boxes built at sportsmen club

Ten-month-old Mary Anne Gatto got a close up look at one of the boxes with the help of AMA Sportsman Scott McEvoy.

There were a lot of smiles at the AMA Sportsman Club last Sunday morning as they opened their doors for families to come and make wooden duck and owl boxes.

Another free event hosted by the local group, it was a chance for young naturalists to put together boxes that will last a long time and attract wildlife.

“I am going to hang this up by my room because there are a lot of owls,” said eight-year-old Xavier Carbonaro.

With his family looking on, Xavier got a little help from one of the AMA members, and according to organizer Ken Tytgat, once again, there was no shortage of those who wanted to step up and help.

“A lot of our members were here early this morning so they could prepare the boxes,” said Tytgat.

That meant arriving at the Lowes Side Road location in Amherstburg at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 8 to cut the 1”x12” pine wood into the two different patterns which were put together by the youth. Tytgat explained that the larger ones being constructed were for birds, and the smaller designs for those who wanted to attract owls.

“The timing is good for people who want to make the duck boxes because they can go out into the marsh now when it is frozen and put them up.”

While many of the club members were there to lend a hand, it was a good way for kids to get their hands on tools and learn how to build something.

“Everything here is free. We had one guy who wanted to buy one of the boxes, but we told him to make a donation,” said Tytgat.

In all, there were 30 duck boxes and 40 owl boxes ready to be constructed and later spraypainted with the AMA logo if desired.

The event was also a nice way to celebrate a birthday and that is what seven-year-old Victoria Parks did who was joined by her family including younger sister Vanessa.

Next up for the AMA Sportsman Club is the annual Father’s Day Bob Meloche Memorial Fishing Derby.

For more information, call 519-736-5706 or visit www.amasportsmen.com.

Duck and owl boxes built at sportsmen club

By Fred Groves