Let the bidding begin.

This is the time of the year when conservation organizations have their annual fundraising banquets and auctions. And there will be plenty to drive up the bids this year.

*The biggest event in the region is the South Johnson County Ducks Unlimited dinner and auction. This year it will be Saturday at the Abdallah Shriners Hall, 5300 Metcalf in Johnson County.

Tickets will be $55 for an individual, $75 for a couple and $15 for greenwings (youth). Doors will open at 5 p.m.

Among the auction and drawing items will be 53 guns,  two black Lab puppies, a Chesapeake Bay retriever, a Bahamas bone-fishing trip for two and other trips.

Call Ben Schlafer at 913-306-9994 for more information.

*The Greater Kansas City Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will have its banquet and auction Thursday at the Boulevard Brewery in Kansas City.

Tickets will be $50 for individuals. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with dinner served at 7 p.m. Auction items will include guns, wildlife art, hunting and fishing trips and more.

Tickets will be sold at the door.

*The Parkville Gobblers Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will host its annual banquet and auction March 10 at the Parkville Athletic Complex in Parkville.

Ticket prices will be $55 for individuals, $75 for couples, $270 for regular sponsors and $20 for jakes (youth). Among the highlights will be raffles and drawings for guns.

Call Darren Buehler at 816-746-9867 for more information.