By Robert Williams

Editor

Harvest Church’s popular “Taste of the Wild” game feed is returning to Frazee-Vergas High School on Saturday, Feb. 21, with Duck Commander’s Justin Martin (as seen on A & E’s Duck Dynasty) headlining three hours of guest speakers.

“I’ve always enjoyed the testimony of the Duck Commander family, the Robertson family and Phil was very outspoken about his faith and he passed away this past year so it’s pretty timely having Justin here just with Phil’s testimony being out there in such a fresh way,” Pastor Ryan Stockstrom said. “They said he would take people out hunting all the time, but they didn’t know they were walking into church. They were going to hear the gospel.”

Martin’s guest appearance was partially-funded by GROW Frazee-Vergas.

Harvest Church will be joined by members of sister church Christian Fellowship of Detroit Lakes in putting on this year’s event. Doors open at 3 p.m.

Martin will headline a three-hour window of local guest speakers at 5:30 p.m., in the main gymnasium. Returning speakers will be speaking in the high school commons and they are: Chill Guide Services’ Cody Hill at 3 p.m.; Tony Reller of Reller Outdoor Adventures at 3:30 p.m.; Doug Harthan of Front 20 Outfitters at 4 p.m., and Jason Ziegler of Whitetail Properties at 4:30 p.m. 

Reller provided this year’s grand prize, a 6×6 Amish-made octagon “Robin Hood” deer blind valued at $2,000. The grand prize drawing is free to enter and the winner must be present to win. The winner must also be age 18 or older and will be responsible for applicable taxes.

Second place will be the winners’ choice of a shotgun or rifle and a third place prize of a signed Justin Martin duck call will also be available.

The wild game dish tasting begins at 4 p.m., with free prize giveaways and best wild game dish prizes. Guests are encouraged to bring a dish in one of the following categories: Big Game, Small Game, Fish, Jerky, Kids, Non-Game, and Desserts. Only homemade samples are eligible for prizes and all samples must be prepared in advance. 

The main meal is going to be in the high school main gymnasium, not the cafeteria, in hopes of accommodating the expected 500 plus guests.

There will be kids’ games with prizes and a silent auction until 5:30 p.m., along with informational booths and drawings that are ongoing throughout the event.

If outdoors-related business owners want to have an informational booth, contact Harvest Church at (218) 334-3101 prior to Saturday, Feb. 14.

The 2026 event will be the 12th “Taste of the Wild” game feed. The event has been held since 2014, with a brief hiatus during the pandemic.