DU Outdoor Festival

[Po Monkey Lounger]

I guess your enjoyment or lack of enjoyment of the event is all a matter of perspective. I have been every year for the last 6 or 7 years and have a great time every year. What else is there to do in June? play sissy golf? watch a baseball game on tv? Heck, the Big Rack calendar girls were worth the $15 price of admission by themselves. And the money went to a good cause --- the ducks.

I went Saturday and enjoyed the nice weather --best weather in years for this event. There were several new products this year, although many were in the very expensive category ----- ProLine Motors(approx $4500); a new type of mud motor with console steering mounted on a Legend Craft boat w/trailer (approx $12,000); etc. Got to see John Devney with Delta Waterfowl and got an update on the duck breeding conditions. Found a great t-shirt from a new conservation group from Alabama named "TheMorningWoody.com", promoting wood duck production in the South ---the inscription on the t-shirt read :"Duck Hunters Always Start Off With A Woody" --pretty funny, and appears to be a great cause. And the scenery, as always, was very nice indeed.

There were definately less vendors at the show this year --noticably absent were Polaris, Honda, several gun manufacturers, several decoy manufacturers, and many of the normal food vendors. Maybe the cost of the booth space was too high as suggested above.

I think Webfoot's suggestions above are good and would help the vendors sell more stuff. I also think that DU should look at lowering the admission price and the vendor costs to increase attendance to previous levels. But, it was still a fun day out of the house.

[GulfCoast]

I truly regret at this point that I never saw the "Big Rack" calander girls.

[mallardchaser]

I'll second that gulf. I missed the racks too.

I too enjoyed the show, it was smaller but sure was nice not to be so crowded. I picked up a few small things. It got me in the duck mood.

I'll be back next year.

[webfoot]

GulfCoast and I had our desire to put our lips on the “Big Rack” on Thursday night. However, we got in Memphis to late to munch at the Rendezvous.

[DuckyDan]

Did they have a website for those girls? Anyone tried racks.com? I would, but I'm at work. I'm scared of what might pop up on the screen.

[goosebruce]

Good post ob... And I don't often say that!

Really, I guess anytime you can entertain yourself for 25 bucks, it aint too bad a deal (15 for the gate, 10 for lunch). Went to matinee movie with my youngest yesterday, and it was 9 bucks for admission, and 4 bucks for a coke, and 3 bucks for reece's and 3 bucks for a pretezal.... He's gonna remember shooting that pellet gun and a trolly ride, and fishing in the chevy tent, and that big rock wall, and a canoe ride, a lot longer than where nemo wuz.

I did some research, and the show was down bout 15% on vendors. With this economy, I was down more than 15% on cheese in my pocket, so I guess that makes sense.

And for every volunteer that is sucking up free cokes in a shirt you bought em, theres one baiting hooks and loading pellet rifles for kids. Hey, some people are gonna take advantage of a situation. It's just real easy to see when they got du embroidered on their chest. I also saw a lot of people work their asses off, some of which I thanked, some of which I didn't, but should have.

OB, I didn't make it to see John Devlany this year... Never got that far out. It was sunday at closing time before I thought of it (5 pm snuck up on me I guess). Fine, fine fellow, for sure. travis

[chance]

Travis---I spoke with him on Saturday. I believe he said he will be back in Memphis this weekend at the national convention.

[MSUduckdawg]

went with the girlfriend on fri. and had a nice romantic canoe ride. i also picked up a nice duck call from wiley outdoor that is flexible, never seen anything like it before and it was pretty cool. the guys at the stand also gave me some good info bout some duck hunting spots surprisingly. Also went on saturday with my dad and took my crazy ass dog Bo. It was worth going just to watch him perform. He took off balls to the wall and jumped off that dock. i was pretty proud of him for doing that and being a 9 month old pup. too much craziness for the dog, so after i picked up the call we headed home. i agree that unfortunately, like just about everything else now, it was way too expensive. i wanted to let my gf shoot a shotgun, but didnt feel like paying 10$ for 5 shells or whatever rediculous prices they were charging. it was fun and hopefully next year will be somewhat improved.