Pointe Mouillee fest a crowd pleaser
9/3/2010The 63rd Annual Pointe Mouillee Waterfowl Festival is set for Sept. 11 and 12 at the Pointe Mouillee State Game Area in Monroe County.
Activities begin at 8 a.m. Sept. 11 and run through 5 p.m. Sept. 12. Admission is free. The area is at the mouth of the Huron River at Lake Erie, east of I-75, and is the largest freshwater marsh restoration project in North America and one of Michigan's premier waterfowl hunting destinations.
All proceeds from the annual festival benefit wetland restorations and wildlife habitat improvements at the area. It includes the Michigan Duck Hunters' Tournament, sponsored by Cabela's, with hunters competing in shooting and boat-racing events.
Also on the schedule is the Midwest Decoy Contest, with decoy and bird carvers from Canada and the United States competing for blue ribbons and prize money. An associated Wildlife Art Show features artists and suppliers from all corners of the United States and Canada.
Hunters can buy, sell, or swap goods with outdoorsmen from around the Midwest at the “Greatest Outdoor Trading Post,” which features more than 100 exhibitors' booths selling and trading equipment and supplies. Interested vendors can contact Bob Kemper at 734-652-7243.
Among daily demonstrations will be fish-decoy carving, duck-decoy carving, fly-tying, and small-boat building. Dog retriever events are slated for both days, with hunting seminars scheduled for Saturday. Kids' games and activities include a BB gun shoot, an archery shoot, face painting, clowns, and waterfowl-related games.
The Midwest Goose Calling Championship, sponsored by Zink Calls and Hevi-Shot, will be held Sept. 11 at noon. The Midwest Duck Calling Championships is set for each day at 10 a.m., with four separate contests.
All four winners are eligible for the World Duck Calling Contest in Stuttgart, Ark.
“This festival is known for its 63 years of rich history,” said Joe Robison, a biologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment. “It's a great opportunity for adults and kids to experience the great outdoors and the rich waterfowl hunting traditions of western Lake Erie and the lower Detroit River.”
Last year, more than 10,000 visitors attended the festival. For more information, contact festival executive director Dick Whitwam at 734-379-4292, or visit or online at miwaterfowlfest.org.
• In related news, Bob Lund reports the following results from the contest held by the Maumee Bay Carvers at the Ohio Waterfowlers' Festival last month:
Lake Erie three-bird rigs: Dennis Williams, Southfield, Mich., first; Bud Shell, East China, Mich., second; Luke Cosilow, Amherst, Ohio, third.
Lake Erie Singles Marsh: Jon Jones, Rochester, Mich., best of show; George Keller, second, Amherst, Ohio; Luke Costilow, third.
Hunting decoy-open: Glenn Mergos, best of show, Shelby Township, Mich.; Bob Nelson, New London, Ohio, second.
It-Ain't-Antique-Yet class: Ken Hussey, Brantford, Ont., best of show, loon; Jim Brace, Liberty Center, Ohio, second; killdeer; Ken Hussey, third, canvasback.
Working Class, novice: Steve Secor, Toledo, first; Steve Zoller, Marietta, Ohio, second; Harold Braggs, Mich., third.
Shorebird: Gary Joe Bryan, best of show Nashport, Ohio; Bruce DiVaccaro, Sheffield Village, Ohio, second; Brad Falkinburg, Avon, Ohio, third.
Junior Lake Erie single: Joe Beno, Amherst, Ohio, best of show, greater scaup; Jon Beno, red head, second; Kurtis Jefferies, Amherst, Ohio, third, black duck
The Lake Erie Single by Jon Jones and the It Ain't Antique Loon by Ken Hussey are now displayed at the Bird Center, Magee Marsh for a year.
Contact Steve Pollick at:spollick@theblade.comor 419-724-6068.