The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming
The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming
After a long day fishing, fishing enthusiasts enjoyed an awards presentation a R Place.
Moorcroft resident Cassandra Tobin won two awards for biggest small mouth bass and biggest stringer of crappies.
After Ice fishing Wyoming Lakes ceased their winter ice fishing event a few years ago, 35-year-old Gillette resident Doug DeBoer Jr picked up the reins, saying, "We have to do something for the fishing community, it needs to be done."
Making arrangements with Wyoming Game and Fish in January of last year, DeBoer was permitted for 50 guest fishermen and allowed to have the event take place on Keyhole Reservoir.
This year, DeBoer again hosted the now-named Just Slayin' Outdoors Icefest on January 28. He was granted 50 fishing permits again and every permit was filled as invited guests enjoyed a day of fishing, visiting with like-minded enthusiasts and later, gifts and raffles at "R" Place in Pine Haven.
DeBoer raffled and gave as door prizes many quality items, saying, "Everything you could think of for ice-fishing, we had it." This year, he garnered approximately $4000 in donations that was all given away at the tournament.
Sometime during the event, DeBoer explained, he hands out free raffle tickets to attendees to win the specific items as well as a fishing pole and plaque for the winners of each of the several tournament categories. "All you had to do to win a door prize was show up and fish and meet us at the bar at the end of the day."
These were both free events, according to DeBoer: "I did not charge anybody to be entered into these events, nor do I ask anybody for any money. I only put about $400 of my own money into it and I did not reap any rewards for it at all."
The avid fisherman plans to again be hosting this event in the first part of January, 2024 and without restrictions on the number of guests.
"I put in for a huge permit, where there will be no limit to the number of people. We will do entry fees and there will be teams. I will get all the same donations so there will still be door prizes at the end of the day; people will [also] win money...at the end of next year's event," he says.
DeBoer takes seriously his desire to protect those attending as much as he can from thin ice, saying, "I was the first person to step foot on ice at Keyhole this season. As soon as it cools off, I watch the lake grow and build that ice consistently."
He spoke to his own reasons to reach out for this opportunity to build a moment for people to enjoy every year: "[I want] to give hope to other people, to give them something to look forward to. I want this event to be something Campbell County and Crook County can always look forward to."
DeBoer promotes the sport of fishing and this event through his social media; those interested may find Just Slayin' Outdoors on Face Book and join the fun!
