by
Ken M. Blomberg
Sports
enthusiasts will gather in great numbers this August 15,16 & 17 in Oshkosh for the 5th
Annual Ducks Unlimited (DU) Great Outdoors Festival. Gun dog owners owe it to themselves to join in this one-of-a-kind
outdoor sports extravaganza.
As you travel the massive festival grounds, you’ll quickly realize the event caters to hunting dogs. Everywhere you look, attendees will be seen with canine companions walking at their sides. Pay close attention and I’ll bet you’ll see just about every type of pointing, retrieving, or flushing breed imaginable.
My boys
and I have traveled to the EAA Convention Grounds
for the festival the past two years and weren’t disappointed. The only drawback was not having enough time
to take in all that was offered to visitors.
This year, our whole family and several friends are spending two days
and plan to camp out on-site.
According to DU’s web page www.ducksunlimited.com,
“The Ducks Unlimited Great Outdoors Festival is a recent innovation in the
United States, though the concept of such a massive sporting event has existed
for centuries in Europe. At a single outdoor site, the public can experience
first-hand the latest outdoor sporting merchandise, such as shotguns, fishing
rods and tackles, bows and arrows, hunting gear, and much more. A
great variety of activities - rock climbing,
shooting, canoeing, fishing, drive SUVs, archery, dog training, and more -
guarantee participants a lively time.”
Gun dog enthusiasts can enjoy attending dog handling clinics, visit a hunting dog village, view many exhibitors selling hunting dog equipment and chat with several gun dog training kennel operators.
In the Hunting Dog Village, licensed veterinarians are on hand to discuss the latest advances in medical treatment and share other important information. There are also many handler and water retrieval demonstrations, where professional trainers put well-trained dogs through their paces. A special area is set up on one of the many water sites, where your dog has the opportunity to show its stuff. Trainers, handlers and veterinarians will be on hand to work with you and your dog throughout the Festival.
The Conservation Village is one of my favorite stops each year. Ducks Unlimited, the Ruffed Grouse Society, Pheasants Forever and many other conservation organizations are on hand to bring you up to date on their latest state activities. Several federal and state agencies will be on hand to answer questions you may have on your mind.
“With
two successful Festivals, one in Tennessee and the other in Wisconsin, (a new
site in) Virginia is a natural fit. We are very pleased to have the opportunity
to bring the Festival to thousands of outdoor enthusiasts in the mid-Atlantic
area,” stated Dana Barton, Special Events Manager, Ducks Unlimited.
A recent DU press release goes on to say, “Volunteers interested in being involved in the Festival are encouraged to log on to www.dugof.com or www.ducks.org to find out how they can participate in this landmark event. Eight distinct Villages make up the Ducks Unlimited Great Outdoors Festival, each offering a hands-on experience for everyone of all ages. At the Festival, attendees can use a variety of sporting products in real-world conditions; receive coaching from skilled professionals and get answers direct from factory representatives. The Ducks Unlimited Great Outdoors Festival presented by Suzuki is the largest outdoor event of its kind in the country.”
According to organizers, 72,431 people attended the Fourth Annual Ducks Unlimited great Outdoors Festival last year in Oshkosh. 952 volunteers generously donated their time to the Festival. 1,400 dogs participated in the water jump in the Nissan Hunting Dog Village. 13,372 shooters participated in the Dodge Shooting Village, with 78,000 shotgun rounds, 21,875 pistol rounds, 19,180 rifle rounds and 105,054 clay targets. 27,000 free Project HomeSafe gunlocks were distributed. 4,959 people shot arrows in the Honda Archery Village. 3,793 individuals climbed the climbing wall and 5,566 rode bikes in the Biking and Camping Village. 4,576 people paddled canoes and kayaks, 4,673 children fished in the Catfish tank, 1,400 participated in fly-casting and 1,800 fly tiers in the Chevy Fishing Village. 4,305 people drove ATVs and 3,100 people rode 4x4 trucks on the expanded track in the Off-Road Village. 26 cooks participated in the Wilderness Cook-Offs. 8,445 arts and craft projects were completed in the Greenwing Village. 260 people attended the Cooking Demonstrations.
Ticket
prices in advance are adult $13, child (6-12) $7, children 5 and under are
admitted free of charge. Tickets at the
door are adult $15 child (6-12) $8, children 5 and under and dogs on a
lead are admitted free of charge.
Parking at the event site is $5.
One final note from Festival organizers should you decide on attending with your dog, “All dogs must be on a lead. All dogs over 5 months of age must be Rabies vaccinated and wear a Rabies vaccination tag. Please come to the Festivals prepared to clean up after your dog.”
See you in Oshkosh!