Pointe Mouillee Festival

layoutshooter · Sep 8, 2013

It is that time of year again. The Pointe Mouillee Waterfowl Festival and 66th Annual Michigan Duck Hunter's Tournament will take place at the Pointe Mouillee State Game Area in Brownstown, Michigan on Saturday and Sunday September 14th and 15th. Gates open at 8AM on both days and it runs until 6 on Sat and 5 on Sun.

Admission is free. There is parking, assuming it is dry, for vans and sprinters. A donation to the Boy Scouts, who run the parking for us, is all that is asked. Sorry, there is no parking for tractors or straight trucks.

I will be busy working there for most of this week but I will be checking in here from time to time is anyone wishes to come out and has questions.

There is a flea market for hunting and fishing equipment, shooting competitions, and several other events to enjoy.

You can take a guided tour of the Pointe Mouillee Marsh Restoration Project, one of the largest fresh water estuary restoration projects in the world. All profits from the Festival and Tournament go to help fund the project.

If you happen to be in the area next weekend, COME ON OUT!

layoutshooter · Sep 12, 2013

The first day of set up went well. Lot's more people showed up to work this year and some were even under 60! What a treat that was! Back at it tomorrow.

zorry · Sep 12, 2013

Are there more people helping because more are " into it" or with this economy they have nothing better to do.
Actually, it probably doesn't matter. The work got done.
Enjoy your festival.

layoutshooter · Sep 12, 2013

zorry said:
Are there more people helping because more are " into it" or with this economy they have nothing better to do.
Actually, it probably doesn't matter. The work got done.
Enjoy your festival.

More people have joined in the effort. There could not be anything better to do!

layoutshooter · Sep 13, 2013

Things went VERY well out there today. LOTS of people showed up. We had the "Little Darlins'" out there too. They are the Wayne County Alternative Work Force. They worked today, nice change from last year when a couple were arrested for vandalism, and their "supervisor" spent the day sleeping.

All is set up and ready. I will be there at 0500 tomorrow. GAME ON!

Slo-Ride · Sep 13, 2013

Stuck down in Ky for right now..Not looking good for me to get there, unless I make it out of here in the morning.. Have fun..

layoutshooter · Sep 13, 2013

Slo-Ride said:
Stuck down in Ky for right now..Not looking good for me to get there, unless I make it out of here in the morning.. Have fun..

Too bad, I was looking forward to seeing you again. Good luck with getting a load.

layoutshooter · Sep 14, 2013

WOW! What a DAY! The weather was PERFECT! Clear blue skies, cool, light breeze.

The crowds came early, several waiting for us to open before daylight. The numbers of people were MUCH higher than the last several years.

LOTS of vendors, man new one's as well.

The Youth Duck Hunt took place today as well. Tons of kids running around after their hunt. They had a really nice program for them, a BBQ, talks by DNR officials and a visit from Congressman Walberg.

There were some VERY interesting trends. LOTS of young people, 18-25. Many young families with kids in tow. Several groups of women too. Buying duck hunting gear. One even entered in the hip boot race, a FIRST for that event. The shooting events had almost double the number of entrants as last year's. It is looking like tomorrow's events are getting larger numbers as well.

I can't WAIT to see what tomorrow brings!

layoutshooter · Sep 15, 2013

It was another wonderful day at Pointe Mouillee today. The rain held off until the festival was over. The crowds were there, again, and like yesterday there were lots of young people. 3 women and a girl entered today's hip boot race and two women shot in the "river events" this year. Let's hope that trend continues.

The "kids" tent was PACKED the entire weekend. Kids learning about conservation, hunting and learning to "carve" decoy heads.

We managed to get the entire place torn down and cleaned up by 6:30PM, about 1.5 hours faster than ever. The reason we got down SO much faster was because we had a TON more people who helped out. Many of the contestants in the "river events" also stuck around to help us tear down. It was REALLY nice to have large numbers of young people, 20-30, helping out this year! It took a HUGE load off of us older dudes. I sure hope that continues.

We had our traditional "steak dinner" after it ended and it was packed with younger people.

It was great spending time with old friends and making many new ones. I look forward to hunting this season with many of them. We all spent four, long, hard days, paying back the marsh for all it gives us, it's now time to play.