It's that time of the year for my all-time favorite fund raiser

If you have lived in this area for any length of time and if you have been a regular reader of the "Outdoors" page, you know exactly what I mean with the above headline.

However, if you have just moved to this area, that means: It's time for the Carson Valley Chukar Club fund raiser, which will be held this year on March 4.

The 2006 fund raiser will be a very special event as it will also be the 20th annual version.

Yep! 20 years!

That hugely-popular event will be held, as usual, at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.

Mark March 4 on the calendar, and if you don't attend, shame on you: You will have missed my all-time favorite and this area's most popular fund raiser.

Here is some information:

Chukar

For those unfamiliar with a Chukar, it is Nevada's most popular upland game bird. A Chukar is physically larger than a quail and smaller than a pheasant. It has very unique markings around its eyes that make it look like it is wearing a bandit's mask. It also has bar markings on its chest.

HOW TO GET THERE

Drive south on U.S. 395, out of Gardnerville, to the traffic signal light at the 7-11 Store. At that intersection, turn left onto Pinenut Road. Take that road for about three miles to the large metal building on your right. That's the main building for the Douglas County Fairgrounds.

GO EARLY

As a special word of advice to anyone attending for the first time: Go early, if you want to sit anywhere near the front of the huge crowd (500-600) that will be attending. If you're late, you could end up sitting in the bleacher section along the far wall or, worse yet, standing way in the back of the room.

The doors open at 5 p.m. and the evening's program will begin at about 7 p.m.

what to do

Once there, you can visit with old friends, make a whole bunch of new friends, wander around, look at all of the raffle prizes, drool over the many auction items, buy your raffle tickets, have a cocktail, and enjoy the fund raiser's traditional, barbecued Tri-Tip steak sandwiches on hard rolls, with tasty homemade beans and tossed salad.

All of that for just $25 per person or $15 for anyone under the age of 18.

Special Note: Youngsters who are under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Where the money goes

Through the years, the Chukar Club has supported such things as: The construction of "guzzlers" which are used as a drinking water source by small animals and birds, the rearing and releasing of ruffed grouse into various areas of the state, support of the Nevada Hunter Education Program, significant contributions to the Nevada anti-poaching program known as Operation Game Thief, support of the annual Kids' Fishing Derby at Lampe Park in Gardnerville, paying the registration fees for youths under 18 who are enrolling in the Hunter Education Program in Douglas County and the U.S.F.S. Wilderness Workshop for youths.

My Turn to laugh

On a personal note, I have had the pleasure of attending all of the previous fund raisers with the exception of one year when I was in Southeast Asia.

As I have reported many times in the past, I have never won one raffle prize at the Chukar Club.

Nada. Nil. Zip. None. Never.

I buy lots of raffle tickets each year, but it 's just that my luck is absolutely wretched when it comes to winning in this raffle.

However, one of these days, sooner or later, my miserable luck is bound to change.

Then, it will finally be my turn to laugh at those three guys, up on the stage: Ron Pierini, the fund raiser chairman, Lance Modispacher, the founder of the Chukar Club, and Dennis Hudson, the auctioneer.

They have spent all these years merrily laughing at my expense.

Words of advice

Remember March 4.

Purchase your tickets now.

Arrive early.

Plan to have lots of fun.

Finally

If I finally do win a raffle prize this year and if you are there, be sure to stand, clap, cheer and whistle as loud as you possibly can.

For information or to purchase fund raiser tickets (do it ASAP!), call Pierini at 782-9903.

n Bet Your Favorite Pigeon

Bet your favorite pigeon that he can't tell you if the Chukar Club still needs more auction items and raffle prizes.

If he grins and says, "Yes, they do," then, if you would like to donate something, please contact Pierini as soon as possible.

n Don Quilici is the Outdoors editor for the Nevada Appeal.