Harry Kachur
People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish
People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin’s Love Affair with an Ancient Fish showcases the cultural and scientific history of an iconic Wisconsin fish, the lake sturgeon. Throughout the process of writing the book, the authors interviewed community activists, sturgeon-spearing enthusiasts, spear and decoy craftsmen, and scientific researchers associated with the Lake Winnebago sturgeon population. Because of the cultural, social, economic, and scientific knowledge captured in these interviews, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Wisconsin Water Library preserved the audio files as a collection of oral histories. This collection, People of the Sturgeon, encapsulates perspectives on lake sturgeon as they are reflected in the book. The People of the Sturgeon collection includes interviews with outdoorsmen, scientists, and craftsmen associated with the Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, lake sturgeon population.
The collection was compiled by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Wisconsin Water Library. Audio courtesy of the Oshkosh Public Museum. Recordings were collected as part of the research for People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish published by Wisconsin Historical Society Press, Madison, Wisconsin.
National Capital Contracting
On March 27, 2007, Bill McAloon interviewed Harry Kachur for the People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish project. Harry Kachur, a longtime resident of Menasha, Wisconsin, has extensive experience in sturgeon spearing, a tradition he shares with his family, including his two sons. This interview provides a detailed account of Kachur’s life as a sturgeon spearer, focusing on his experiences and the changes he has observed over the years. Kachur discusses the evolution of sturgeon spearing, noting the increasing popularity of the sport and the changes in regulations aimed at controlling the harvest. He shares personal anecdotes about his family’s involvement in spearing, particularly highlighting how his sons have taken up the tradition, including making their own spears and decoys. Kachur describes his collection of spears and the transition of decoy-making responsibilities to his oldest son, reflecting a generational shift in practices within his family. The interview also delves into several harrowing experiences Kachur has had while on the ice, including incidents where he broke his leg, was involved in an explosion, and narrowly escaped drowning after falling through the ice. These stories underscore the dangers of sturgeon spearing and the resilience required to continue the practice. Additionally, Kachur touches on the camaraderie among spearers and the therapeutic nature of spending time on the ice. Kachur concludes with reflections on the future of sturgeon spearing and the importance of citizen involvement in the Sturgeon Advisory Council. He expresses concern about the aging population of spearers and the potential challenges in maintaining the tradition and ensuring continued citizen input in regulatory matters.
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