Rabbit hunters stand by success of fundraiser

Despite concerns that protestors might disrupt the event, the annual Rabbits Unlimited Hunt to Cure MS event on Saturday drew about 550 people and raised more money than ever, organizers said.

While final numbers aren’t ready, Linda Chesak, one of the organizers, said it appears the event, which was held at Circle B Recreation Center in the Town of Cedarburg, raised 10% more than last year’s, when it brought in $68,000.

“We had a great day,” she said.

It was the 18th year for the event, which began as a labor of love by the extended Bell family. Margie and Rich Bell, two of Don and Eileen Bell’s seven children, died of multiple sclerosis.

The event began in the Bells’ garage in Saukville and then moved to the Railroad Station tavern. This was the third year it was held at Circle B.

The event featured raffles, live and silent auctions, games, food and prizes that included guns, tools, tickets to sporting events, hunting and fishing gear and other items.

The day began with hunters, in teams of three, gathering for a morning of rabbit hunting. At midday, they joined other volunteers at Circle B.

About 200 rabbit hunters participate each year. That doesn’t sit well with some animal-rights activists, who have shown up in small numbers to protest the event in the past.

On Friday, Slaughter Free Milwaukee and Direct Action Everywhere went to the MS Society of Milwaukee offices to protest their “continued support and acceptance of money from the rabbit killing contest and gun raffle fundraiser.” 

A post on social media showed a video of five or six people carrying signs saying, “Bunnies shot for charity” and “MS, the blood is on your hands,” decorated with what looked like bloody handprints, walking up to the society’s offices in Milwaukee and asking an office worker, peeking out from behind a locked door, to be allowed to come in and have “a nice conversation” about the Cedarburg event, which they said is sponsored “by a sick non-profit group called Rabbits Unlimited.”

“There’s no logical reason to hold these types of events. There are literally thousands of ways to raise money without killing animals,” the narrator of the video said.

The office worker went back inside, but no one from the society ever came out. After 20 minutes, the protestors turned off their video. Chesak said her group arranged for tightened security at the doors and the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that patrols were increased in the area.

Chesak said no protestors appeared.

All hunters who participate in the hunt are licensed, Chesak said, adding that some rabbits are captured live and released back into the wild. Some of the meat also is donated to charity, she said. 

Counting Saturday, the annual event has raised about $490,000 for multiple sclerosis research, scholarships for families of people afflicted with MS and to the MS Navigator’s Program, an organization that provides support and assistance to families affected by the disease.