The 2014 Michigan Duck and Goose Calling Championships and the 2015 Michigan Duck Stamp Competition were held at the 19th annual Saginaw Bay Waterfowl Festival Aug. 2-3 at the Bay City State Recreation Area.
The Michigan Duck Calling Contest included novice and master divisions. Special calling contests held during the Waterfowl Festival included Youth Goose, Youth Duck and Team Duck competitions. The following are this year's results (all winners are from Michigan unless otherwise noted):
Michigan Duck Calling Championship
Master: first place - Chris Hillman, Lansing; second place - Billy Tackonis, Harsens Island; third place - Tom Bronson, Tawas City
Novice: first place - Billy Tackonis, Harsens Island; second place - Jason Mayer, Swartz Creek; third place - Marvin Kish, Bay City
Youth Duck Calling Contest
Fledgling Division (just starting out): first place - Braddock Payne, Shepherd, age 7; second place - Derek Anderson, Brighton, age 6; third place - Marissa Anderson, Brighton, age 9
Tenderfoot (ages 13 and under): first place - Austin Lawless, Kawkawlin, age 13; second place - Henri Strum, Fenton, age 10; third place - Josiah Hager, Marlette, age 9;
Hunters (ages 14-17): first place - Chase Henderman, Sylvania, Ohio, age 16; second place - Justin Toth, Toledo, Ohio, age 15; third place - Garrett Krzssiak, Pinconning, age 15
Team Duck Calling Contest
Master: first place - Corey Sorensen, Burton and Paul Hinman; second place - Chase Henderman, Sylvania, Ohio and Justin Toth, Toledo, Ohio
State Goose Calling Championship
Master: first place - Robert John (RJ) Dick, Holland; second place: Tyler Girard, Palms; third place - Mike Coppola, Kingsville, Ontario
Novice: first place - Joe Duncan, Birch Run; second place - Alex Coffey, Allegan; third place - Scott Maloney, Holly
Youth Goose Calling Contest
Fledgling Division (just starting out): first place - Zachary Goetz, Essexville, age 10; second place - Evan Goetz, Essexville, age 7; third place: Theo Noel, Midland, age 12
Tenderfoot Division (ages 13 and under): first place - Austin Lawless, Kawkawlin, age 13; second place - Micah Hager, Marlette, age 13; third place - Josiah Hager, Marlette, age 11
Hunter Division (ages 14-17): first place: Austin Lawless - Kawkawlin, age 13; second place - Henri Sturm, Fenton, age 10; third place - Noah Hager, Marlette, age 12
The 2015 Michigan Duck Hunters Association Duck Stamp Competition was held Saturday of the festival. There were 15 entries this year, submitted by artists from 11 different states. The first-place entry featured of a pair of goldeneyes in flight, by Guy Crittenden of Richmond, Virginia. His original artwork will be showcased on the 2015 Michigan duck stamp and print. Second place went to Wes Dewey of Chanute, Kansas, for his depiction of a pair of green-winged teal. The third-place winner, Donnie Hughes of Lexington, South Carolina, submitted artwork featuring of a pair of cinnamon teal.
Proceeds from the sale of the 2015 duck stamp and print will be used to help restore and improve wetland habitat on public land for waterfowl and other wildlife. For information on purchasing Michigan duck stamp prints, contact Ed Standler, Michigan duck stamp coordinator, at yellowdagg@hotmail.com.
Another competition for families attending the festival was held to inspire awareness and appreciation for Michigan's Waterfowl Legacy: The Future Duck Stamp Artist Contest. Children, teens and adults had the opportunity to sit down and draw a duck with 2014 duck stamp artist Chris Smith and Michigan State University student artist Mackenzie Robson.
Future Duck Stamp Artist Contest Winners:
7 and Under: first place - Gwyn Zimmerman; second place - Lilly Graves; third place: Zayaan Ansart
8-10 Years: first place - Kayla Manley; second place - Shea Walli; third place - Luke Pake
11-14 Years: first place - Madison Swartout; second place - Vien Sturm; third place - Taylor Johnson
15-17 Years: first place - Dani Noel; second place - Alyssa Stakolosa; third place - Anaela Valley
18 Years and Up: first place - Eric Timmins; second place - Andrea Hewett; third place - Jill Sturm
All winning duck drawings will be on display at the Saginaw Bay Visitor Center and will be the featured artwork for a 2015 calendar which will be printed as a fundraiser for the Friends of Bay City State Recreation Area.
Two family outdoor recreation competitions, designed to get adults and youth actively involved in waterfowl-related sports, also were held during the festivities:
Cabela's Quack-Athlon (three-person team - canoe race, decoy toss, rifle marksmanship and waterfowl identification)
Saturday: first place - Dale Boerema (63) and Alexandria (15) and Josiah (11) Hager of Sand Lake/Marlette; second place - Mike (47), Hailey (14) and Jayden (8) Badour of Standish; third place: Garrett (44) Chase (8) and Dylan (12) Badour of Au Gres
Sunday: first place - Bruce Barlow (34), Calvin Barlow (14) and Will Kinser (13) of Gladwin; second place - Lonnie Glines (35), Caleb Glines (11) and Montana Jordan (10) of Harrison; third place - Thomas (42), Theodore (16) and Jordan (12) Martindale of Bay City
Frank's Great Outdoors Adult/Child Canoe Race
Saturday: first place - Lonnie (35) and Caleb (11) Glines of Harrison; second place - Todd and Tyler Verburg; third place - Mike (47) and Hailey (14) Badour of Standish
Sunday: first place - Mike and Bryan Christenson of Gladwin; second place - Garrett (44) and Brennen (16) Badour of Au Gres; third place: Colleen (47) and Lindsay (16) Kreifeldt of Bay City
The festival attracted a record attendance of 12,823 visitors, who enjoyed browsing through the Hunting and Outdoor Recreation Expo, Wildlife Art and Craft Show, and special waterfowl-related exhibits inside the park's Saginaw Bay Visitor Center. Participants also were able to enjoy specially prepared workshops on waterfowl hunting and calling, wildlife watching, wildlife photography and wildlife carving, as well as programs on wildlife conservation. A small army of park volunteers also were on hand to put on puppet shows, carving clinics, crafts, duck tales and Retrieving Dog Fun Hunt Trials. Overall the event was a tremendous opportunity for families to be inspired to value and appreciate Michigan's Waterfowl Legacy. Next year's festival will take place Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 1 and 2, 2015.
For more information, please contact the Saginaw Bay Visitor Center, located in the Bay City State Recreation Area, at 989-667-0717.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
Contact: Valerie Blaschka, 989-667-0717 or Ed Golder, 517-284-5815
