lone star state news - ducks unlimited · 2015-07-21 · texas boasts more fundraising chapters...

Greet ings from your State

Chairman, Rusty Legg. We are just

coming off of our State Convention,

which was held in San Marcos, and I

am proud to say it was an

outstanding success! The convention

was well attended by over 300 state

volunteers, national dignitaries and

DU staff. We had a great time with

family and friends and honored our

volunteers with our state awards.

This year's State Chairman's award

went to Johnny Frederick. Thank

you to the host committees from

San Marcos, Comal County, Wimberley and all of the other

volunteers who helped in putting on

this year's event.

During the National Convention,

which was held in Milwaukee,

Wisconsin, it was announced that

Texas, once again, led the nation in

many of the major fundraising

categories, including #1 in total

event income, #1 in total volunteers,

#1 in total members, #1 in

University and Varsity chapters and

#1 in Life Sponsors, just to name a

few. It is because of you, the best

volunteers in the nation, that we can

make this claim. Job well done !

This year, we are continuing on our

success path. Many of our events are

posting an increase of 15 to 20

percent. This year we have a new

item that all chapters will receive,

free of charge, a Texas DU Neon

sign. It looks really nice and has been

very well received at the events that

I have attended this year.

Remember, for our events to be

successful, we must recruit new

volunteers, fill the halls and watch

our expenses.

I would like to encourage all DU

volunteers and anyone that enjoys

hunting and fishing in the great State

of Texas to vote in support of Proposition 6, which will be on the

ballot this November. A vote for

Proposition 6 is a vote to add to our

State Constitution language that

ensures all Texans the right to hunt

and fish in our great state without

infringing upon land owners’ rights.

I am looking forward to a successful

fall season of events and to seeing so

many of my old friends and making

new ones.

Rusty Legg

Texas State Chairman

State Chairman’s Corner I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Top 100,

President's

Elite

2

State Awards 3-5

Sheldon Lake 5

Texas

Conservation

Report

6

Texas

Legislative

Report

7

State

Convention

Highlights

8-9

2016 TXDU

Calendar 11

Development

Team 12

NAWCA

Grant 13

Cow Trap

Lake 13

Highland

Lakes 14

TXDU Event

Calendar 15

TXDU

Spotlight 16

Volunteer

Recruitment 17

TXDU State

Contacts 18

Lone Star State News The Official Volunteer Publication of Texas Ducks Unlimited

J U L Y 2 0 1 5 T E X A S D U N E W S

DU Names Top 100, President's Elite Chapters

P A G E 2 T E X A S D U N E W S

Texas boasts more fundraising chapters recog-

nized as President’s Elite and Top 100 chapters

by Ducks Unlimited than any other state. Out of

the more than 2,600 DU chapters nationwide, 41

of the Lone Star State’s chapters achieved nation-

al recognition by the conservation organization.

The President’s Elite list is reserved for the chap-

ters that raise $100,000 or more for DU’s habitat

conservation work. In 2014, 22 chapters in Texas

made this list as some of the organization’s best

fundraising chapters. The Top 100 list is com-

prised of the top 100 fundraising chapters in the

United States that raise up to $100,000 through

fundraising activities in their communities. Texas

had 19 chapters receive Top 100 recognition.

"These fundraising events are the backbone of

DU’s habitat conservation efforts, and the volun-

teers who make up these chapters are the grass-

roots force making a difference for North Ameri-

can waterfowl populations," said DU President

George Dunklin. "It takes a great deal of effort to

achieve the President’s Elite or Top 100 level,

and these chapters deserve to be congratulated

by every person who enjoys the outdoors." DU’s

event fundraising system has become a model for

other conservation organizations around the

world and has funded a significant portion of the

more than 13 million acres of wetlands and asso-

ciated habitat DU has conserved since 1937.

"DU chapters across the country are showing

that the future of waterfowl populations and the

wetlands that filter our drinking water and pro-

tect us from flooding are important to them and

to their communities," Dunklin said. "The more

money we raise, the more habitat we can con-

serve and the closer we are to preserving our

waterfowl hunting heritage. I would like to per-

sonally thank all our President’s Elite and Top

100 chapters for their achievement and look for-

ward to seeing them among our distinguished

chapters next year."

President’s Elite - Texas

Top 100 Chapters - Texas 1. Wood County

2. Ft. Worth

6. Matagorda County

17. Lake Cities

20. Denton

23. Pearland

26. Lee County

27. Rice Belt

29. Victoria

38. Brazos Valley

43. Whitehouse

47. Austin

71. Weatherford

74. Ft Bend County

75. San Jacinto

78. McKinney

96. Comal County

99. Allen

100. Fayette County

3. Houston

13. Galveston

23. Metro-Crest

30. Mid-South

31. Corpus Christi

36. San Antonio

40. Ellis County

45. Navasota

48. Aggieland

50. Dallas

56. Big Thicket

58. Sabine

60. Central Texas

64. Tomball

66. Colorado County

68. Mexia

69. Rockport-Fulton

70. Winnie-Stowell

80. Shelby County

81. Midland

82. Frisco

83. Katy-Brookshire

Texas State Growth Awards


Every year the state gives out growth awards at

our State Convention. We have 4 levels: Teal,

Widgeon, Mallard and Grand Slam Pintail. The

Teal Award is for chapters that have a 0-9.9%

dollar increase with a net/net to gross of 50% or

higher and 10 or more net new members. The

Widgeon Award is for chapters that have a 10-

19.9% dollar increase with a net/net to gross of

55% or higher and 15 or more net new members.

The Mallard Award is for chapters that have a

20% or higher dollar increase with a net/net to

gross of 60% or higher and 20 or more net new

members. The Grand Slam Pintail Award is for

chapters receiving Widgeon Level or above for 3

consecutive years. This year we had 49 chapters

receive these growth awards. Congratulations to

all of the recipients!

Teal Award

Austin

Alvin

Episcopal High School

Frisco

Pattison

San Jacinto

Santa Fe

Widgeon Award

Big Thicket

Garland-Mesquite

Hunt County

Hurricane Creek

Lake Ray Roberts DU

Lake Somerville

Matagorda County

Palestine

Perryton

Sabine

Salt Cedar

Seguin

Taylor

Tech DU

Mallard Award Brazoria County

Colorado County

Comal County

Greater Houston Green-

wing Chapter

Gulf Coast

Hopkins County

Lake Cities

Lee County

NE Tarrant County

North Central Texas

North Houston

Rice Belt

Texas City-Lamarque

Victoria

West Bowie County

Whitehouse

Wise County

Wood County

Grand Slam - Pintail Award Allen - 4th Year

Bowie Chapter

Central Texas

Ellis County

Fayette County

Heart of Texas

Katy-Brookshire

Plano

Red River Valley

TX A&M - Kingsville

Tomball

Texas State Awards - continued


This award is presented to the top performing 20 Texas Ducks Unlimited Chapters. The award is based

off of Total Chapter Events, Net/Net Income for the Calendar year 2014. The top 20 chapters will

receive a High Standard HAS-15 Rifle in 5.56 for use at one of their events.

Texas Top 20

1. Houston

2. Corpus Christi

3. Navasota

4. Ellis County

5. Metro-Crest

6. Aggieland

7. Big Thicket

8. San Antonio

9. Sabine

10. Central Texas

11. Colorado County

12. Winnie/Stowell

13. Mexia

14. Rockport/Fulton

15. Galveston

16. Dallas

17. Tomball

18. Shelby County

19. Frisco

20. Lee County

Top Texas University Chapter for 2014

Texas A&M

New Chapter Excellence

Cy Woods High School

Top Texas Varsity Chapter for 2014

Episcopal High School

This award is presented to the top performing Texas University Chapter.

This award is presented to the top performing Texas Varsity Chapter.

This award is presented to the top performing Texas New Chapter.


Texas Volunteer Awards Every year the state recognizes a few volunteers

that work tirelessly to help raise money for

Ducks Unlimited.

The Texas Star Award is the highest individual

honor given by Texas Ducks Unlimited. The

Texas Star Award recognizes outstanding

achievements from a volunteer, one who attends

state meetings, district workshops and exhibits

leadership within his or her chapters. This year

Texas DU would like to recognize Johnny

Frederick. Johnny has been and continues to be a

fantastic leader in Texas DU. He has served on

his local chapter, Central Texas (Killeen / Ft.

Hood) in about every possible roll. He has also

served as the TXDU State Chairman and on

many state and national committees. Thank you

Johnny for all you have done for Ducks

Unlimited.

Texas DU would also like to recognize a great

District Chairman that has decided to hand over

the reins. This year’s Outgoing DC Award goes

to Tommy Chilcutt. Tommy, thank you for

everything you have done for the ducks!

Ducks Unlimited and the Texas Parks and Wildlife

Department are working on continuing

improvements to Houston’s popular Sheldon Lake

State Park, a 2,900-acre nature preserve and low-

density educational park, specializing in the

introduction of urban youth to the out-of-doors

and wildlife. The park has almost continual

visitation by school groups and others who come

to fish, birdwatch and receive outdoor and

sustainable living education. The TPWD is now

restoring these lands to pre-settlement conditions

for the conservation of native plant and animal

populations, and to show visitors an authentic

piece of the region’s original landscape. The

cornerstone of this effort is the restoration of

ephemeral and seasonal wetlands that dotted the

local prairie before being filled and leveled for

agriculture. Three phases of this effort have

already restored approximately 312 acres of native

prairie wetlands and grasslands.

During Phase 4 of the project, DU will excavate

four shallow depressions to create approximately

8 acres of restored wetland habitat. This project is

being coordinated and supported by Texas A&M

AgriLife Extension Service with additional funding

from the Texas Commission on Environmental

Quality. Construction of the wetlands is scheduled

to be completed this summer. Recently completed

park roads and boardwalks, along with a new 82-

foot observation tower, give visitors excellent

opportunities to experience the outdoors.

Sheldon Lake State Park wetland enhancements

The next phase of wetland restoration work on

Sheldon Lake State Park will re-create 8 acres

of historic wetlands in this abandoned ag field.


The results from the 2015 USFWS annual

breeding waterfowl survey were announced, and

despite a relatively dry winter in much of the

breeding prairies of the northern United States

and southern Prairie Canada, duck numbers

remain strong following years of very good

precipitation. What does this mean to Texas

hunters? Well, it means another year of liberal

waterfowl regulations with a 70+ day season and

6 birds in the bag. However, how that translates

to what Texas hunters see in their spreads and

favorite hunting haunts is dictated by local

habitat conditions here. With heavy rains this

past fall and well into early summer, conditions

appear to be cooperating to provide excellent

habitat across a large swath of the state.

Doing our part to set the table for wintering

waterfowl, we completed just over 3,000 acres

of private lands work along the Texas

Coast. Our Texas Prairie Wetland Project has

been estimated to provide nearly 20% of the

total available habitat in some years, and it is this

landscape level habitat across the breadth of the

coast that helps to enhance waterfowl

distribution and abundance beneficial to hunters

throughout the region. A key public land project

that was completed was the Cow Trap Lake

Terraces at San Bernard NWR. This project will

help control erosion of critical wetlands at the

refuge, and should help to enhance habitat

conditions in Cow Trap Lake that will further

improve the area for waterfowl.

This year we will be kicking off some important

habitat work in the playa lakes region targeted at

restoring the hydrologic function to playa

basins. The project efforts will be in concert

with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and

should commence in early 2016. I spent 6 years

in the Lubbock area during the 1980's and

enjoyed some excellent waterfowl hunting in

that area. I am excited that we will be doing

some critical wetland enhancement work in that

region.

So, as we enter the dog days of summer and

your thoughts turn to catching some rays and

filling a stringer with fish, don’t forget that

waterfowl season is just around the corner. It is

only 2 1/2 months until our blue-winged friends

from the prairies rocket through our decoy

spreads, test our shooting prowess, and make us

just a tad humble.

- Todd Merendino

Manager of Conservation - Texas

Texas Conservation Report

Don’t forget you can support Ducks Unlimited by purchasing a DU license plate for your vehicle.

Visit the State of Texas DVM website for more information on this program

https://rts.texasonline.state.tx.us/NASApp/txdotrts/SpecialPlateOrderServlet?grpid=60&pltid=79


The 84th Texas Legislative session ended June

1. SJR 22 Right to Hunt and Fish Constitutional

Amendment was passed by the House and

Senate, and will be up as Proposition 6 for

November 2015 general election. Ducks

Unlimited supported the resolution to imbed

hunting and fishing in the state constitution, and

it is not too early to tell your network to get out

and VOTE FOR PROP 6!

S.J.R. 22 by Brandon Chreighton, and House

sponsor Trent Ashby:

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION proposing a

constitutional amendment relating to the right to

hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE

LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Article I, Texas Constitution, is

amended by adding Section 34 to read as follows:

Sec. 34. (a) The people have the right to hunt,

fish, and harvest wildlife, including by the use of

traditional methods, subject to laws or

regulations to conserve and manage wildlife and

preserve the future of hunting and fishing.

(b) Hunting and fishing are preferred methods of

managing and controlling wildlife.

(c) This section does not affect any provision of

law relating to trespass, property rights, or

eminent domain.

(d) This section does not affect the power of

the legislature to authorize a municipality to

regulate the discharge of a weapon in a

populated area in the interest of public safety.

SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional

amendment shall be submitted to the voters at

an election to be held November 3, 2015. The

ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or

against the proposition: "The constitutional

amendment recognizing the right of the people

to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife subject to laws

that promote wildlife conservation."

Proposition 6 on the ballot will read: “The

constitutional amendment recognizing the right

of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife

subject to laws that promote wildlife

conservation.”

DU Texas State Chairman Rusty Legg and DU

biologist Kirby Brown met with other fish and

wildlife organizations in Texas Outdoor Partners

on July 1, and we will pass on more information

as the election process moves forward.

The legislature authorized a reasonably good

budget for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department,

and the legislature authorized necessary funding

for migratory bird programs throughout the

biennium. In addition, HB 158 passed, finally

providing significant, dedicated State Sporting

Goods Sales Tax funding for parks. Overall it

was a very good session for TPWD and the

state’s hunters and anglers.

- Kirby Brown

Conservation Outreach Biologist - Texas

Texas Legislative Report

2015 Texas State Convention


We had a great time in San Marcos for the Texas

State Convention in June. If you have not been

before, it is a great time to interact with staff and

volunteers from across the state. This year we

covered new programs, introduced new

fundraising tools and were updated on many of

the issues DU is taking action on in both Texas

and across the continent. Next year we will host

the State Convention at the Rockwall Hilton on

Lake Ray Hubbard, and hopefully you will join us.

We look forwarded to seeing everyone there.

Thank you to the San Marcos, Wimberley and

Comal County Chapters for your help putting on

this great convention.

2015 Texas State Convention - continued


P A G E 1 0 T E X A S D U N E W S


2016 Texas Ducks Unlimited Calendar Raffle Texas Ducks Unlimited is proud to announce

that due to the great success of the 2015 Texas

Ducks Unlimited Calendar Raffle, the 2016 Texas

Ducks Unlimited Calendar Raffle is even bigger

and better. We are excited to introduce the

2016Texas Ducks Unlimited Two Gun a Day

Giveaway. We will be giving away two guns every

day for a year starting January 1, 2016. This year

we are also featuring two “Grand Prize”

drawings, one on July 4th and the second on

December 25th. The Hoffpauir Auto Group has

donated two 2016 Polaris Sportsman 570s as this

year’s Grand Prizes. For only $50 you will have a

1 in 27 chance to win a gun from some of the

finest names in the business. The calendar features specific gun manufacturer months from

the likes of Benelli, Browning, Beretta, Smith &

Wesson, Ruger just to name a few. The average

gun cost is $475.

20,000 calendars will be sold across the state.

Calendar sales are projected to be approximately

$650,000 of net/net income for Texas Ducks

Unlimited. Chapters will receive approximately

$32 credit to their 2015 numbers for each

calendar sold.

Regional Directors will distribute the calendars

to the chapters in their regions. Chapters are

responsible for all calendars issued to them as

well as collecting all funds, membership and entry

tickets and tracking of who has calendars in their

possession. Funds and tickets must be submitted

in a timely manner. No late entries will be

accepted after December 1, 2015. All tickets

must be completely filled out, no exceptions.

Incomplete tickets will be considered void. It is

the responsibility of the seller and the buyer to

ensure that each ticket is complete. Calendars

are not to be sold or to be used in conjunction

with other chapter events. They also cannot be

sold over the internet.

Last year, the calendar was a huge success due to

the efforts of the great Texas Ducks Unlimited

Volunteers and net/netted over $600,000 for Texas Ducks Unlimited. The 2016 Texas Ducks

Unlimited Two Gun A Day Giveaway looks to be

even better than 2015. Calendars are being

distributed now so please get with your Regional

Director today.

For more information go to www.tx.ducks.org or

on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TexasDU

A Special Thank You to Lee Hofpauir and the

Hofpauir Auto Group for the generous donation

of the two 2016 Polaris Sportsman 570s for the

2016 Texas Ducks Unlimited Two Gun a Day

Giveaway Grand Prizes.

Jason McKey

Senior Regional Director

Expanding Development Team in Texas


To better seize opportunities for development

fundraising in Texas, DU recently hired two new

directors of development to coordinate with

existing north Texas, NM and OK DOD Marc

Reid. Matt Bunn is the new director of

development for southeast Texas. With a work

history at both Academy Sports + Outdoors and

the Coastal Conservation Association in Houston,

Matt is very familiar with the outdoors and

conservation-minded folks he’ll be interacting with

at Ducks Unlimited. He and his wife, Lara, reside

in Fulshear, Texas with their son, Mitchell. Matt

enjoys several outdoor pursuits including duck and

deer hunting and fishing. Colton McCarty is the

new director of development for central

Texas. Colton was most recently a senior sales

representative for Spurs Sports & Entertainment in

San Antonio. Prior to that, he interned as the

marketing coordinator for Texas A&M Athletics in

College Station. He resides in San Antonio and

enjoys several outdoor pursuits including dove,

deer and duck hunting.

We are very happy to add both of these great

assets to our team. If you need to contact any of

the Development team, their contact info can be

found on page 18.

Colton McCarty Matt Bunn

Gulf Coast 9 NAWCA grant wrapped up


The final project to close out the Gulf Coast 9

North American Wetlands Conservation Act

(NAWCA) grant was recently completed at

Brazos Bend State Park. Managed by the Texas

Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), the park

provides visitors outdoor recreation opportunities

including fishing, wildlife watching, camping and

hiking. Due to its proximity to Houston, the

nation’s fifth largest metropolitan area, Brazos

Bend State Park has more than 250,000 visitors

each year.

The restoration project improved water-

management capabilities, which allows park

managers to recreate natural water cycles that

make the habitat better for waterfowl and other

wetland-dependent species, providing dependable

year-round resource opportunities for wildlife and

park visitors. Unmanaged drainage during spring

and summer months prevented the use of Pilant

Marsh as brood-rearing habitat by wood ducks,

black-bellied whistling ducks and other wetland

wildlife. Prolonged flooding cycles within Pilant

Marsh also drowned native hardwoods that

require drying periods for growth and

resilience. DU completed construction of a new

berm and water control structure last year to

restore hydrology to the 183-acre Pilant Marsh

and the surrounding swamp. The recently

completed phase two work included aerial

spraying to control invasive Chinese tallow trees

and planting of native oak and other hardwood

species.

Continued improvements to Cow Trap Lake

Ducks Unlimited installed a water control structure

to enhance wetland management at Brazos Bend

State Park.

Ducks Unlimited and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service completed a reef construction project in

coastal Texas on the San Bernard National Wildlife

Refuge’s Cow Trap Lake unit to complement a

terracing project completed last year. Cow Trap

Lake is a popular area for public use and

recreation, including waterfowl hunting and fishing.

Funding partners for the project include diverse

public and private sources, including the USFWS

Coastal Program, the North American Wetlands

Conservation Act, Phillips 66, the National Marine

Fisheries Service, Coastal Conservation

Association, NRG and Houston Endowment.

The artificial reef was constructed between the

two large terraces in open water. More than 770

tons of crushed stone was placed at the site

creating almost two acres of subtidal and

submerged habitat. The reef structure is

approximately 2,000 feet in length, 25 to 40 feet

wide at the base, and up to 12 inches tall. This

type of structure and bottom relief offers excellent

habitat for many species and provides wave

breaking structure as well. Additional crushed

stone was placed along the lake side of the outer

terraces to provide shoreline protection and sub

tidal habitat.


May rains were significant across Texas, but

LCRA says the Highland Lakes have not fully

recovered. Intense late May rainfall, primarily

over the Memorial Day weekend, caused

significant damage from flashfloods and

overbanking rivers across Texas, particularly in

central Texas historically known as the flash

flood alley. Over 30 people died or went missing

across Texas in the flooding, and many more

h a v e h a d h o m e s d e s t r o y e d o r

damaged. Flooding in many Texas river basins

has impacted homes, property, and crops.

However, the heavy rains have finally added

water to the Highland Lakes in the Colorado

River watershed. Combined storage in Lakes

Travis and Buchanan is now 70% full with over

1,400,000 ac-ft as of July 1, with the most

significant run-off into Lake Travis. A trigger of

1.3 mil ac-ft provides release of interruptible

water for rice in the new proposed LCRA

Water Management Plan if the lakes are at that

level in February 2016. The lakes have not been

this full since 2011. All of the lakes in the Brazos

River basin and rivers and lakes eastward to the

border are now full.

With the continued low lake levels back in

January, water for rice in the LCRA irrigation

districts below I-10 had been cut off again

through an Emergency Order by TCEQ, making

this the 4th year that rice farmers were without

interruptible water, and the 2nd year for rice

farmers on the Brazos River. In 2014, LCRA

recorded the 2nd lowest inflows on record

(2011 was the record). Combined reservoir

storage was just under 750,000 ac-ft for Lakes

Travis and Buchanan as of April 1, which was a

severely low level going into a new year. The

lakes were at 830,000 ac-ft on May 21, so we

had about a 500,000 ac-ft rise over the Memorial

Day weekend and following week. While most

services are saying the drought is over, LCRA

correctly maintains these were significant,

welcome rains, but that recovery has not yet

fully occurred. Lake Buchanan is still just over

50% full and remains lower than normal.

A mild El Nino and welcome spring rains has

been a blessing in reducing the intensity of the

drought across most of Texas. The long-range

weather forecast is for continued higher than

normal rainfall through fall and winter.

Matagorda Bay received 1,970,000 ac-ft of

freshwater inflows this year, 780,000 ac-ft in May

and 570,000 ac-ft in June. Monthly criteria are

14,000 ac-ft, or 171,000 ac-ft annually.

Late Addendum: Lake Buchanan watershed

received welcome heavy rains July 7-8, raising

the lake level 7-8’, and the lake from 52% to 67%

full. That brings the combined storage in Lakes

Travis and Buchanan to near normal, at 77% full,

1,550,000 ac-ft. A very welcome boost for the

lower Colorado River.

More Rainfall Trivia: During the May 2015 rains,

enough rain fell to cover the entire state with 8

inches of water. In all, 37.3 trillion gallons of

water fell over the state of Texas during May

2015. (Natl Weather Service).

- Kirby Brown

Conservation Outreach Biologist - Texas

Highland Lakes Up, But Remain Lower Than Normal


2015 Texas DU Spring Events

SEE WWW.DUCKS.ORG/TEXAS/EVENTS FOR MORE DETAILS.

2016 Texas State Convention June 23 - 26, 2016, in Rockwall!

More Information to come.

Date Chapter Event Date Chapter Event Date Chapter Event

17-Jul Lone Star Flyway Shoot 19-Sep Lake Ray Roberts Dinner 20-Oct New Boston

30-Jul San Antonio Recruitment 22-Sep Jacksonville 20-Oct Texoma Dinner

30-Jul North Houston Dinner 22-Sep Bonham Dinner 21-Oct Kingwood Dinner

1-Aug Santa Fe Dinner 23-Sep Oyster Creek Dinner 21-Oct Canton Dinner

6-Aug Lagrange Dinner 24-Sep Clear Creek Dinner 22-Oct Ft Bend County Dinner

6-Aug Allen Dinner 24-Sep San Antonio Dinner 22-Oct Houston Dinner

7-Aug Brazoria County Dinner 24-Sep Port Arthur Dinner 22-Oct Denton Dinner

13-Aug Frisco Dinner 24-Sep Midland Banquet 22-Oct Wichita Falls Dinner

14-Aug Lake Somerville Dinner 26-Sep Whitesboro Dinner 24-Oct Calhoun County Dinner

14-Aug Lee County SNO 29-Sep Wharton Dinner 24-Oct Pittsburg

22-Aug Wimberley Dinner 29-Sep Lufkin Dinner 27-Oct Palestine

22-Aug Corpus Christi Greenwing 30-Sep Lonestar Dinner 27-Oct Gladewater

22-Aug Tyler Fun Shoot 30-Sep Centex Dinner 27-Oct NE Tarrant County Dinner

22-Aug Northwest Prairie Dinner 1-Oct Matagorda County Dinner 28-Oct Clarksville

22-Aug Metro-Crest Miscellaneous 1-Oct Longview 29-Oct Falls County Dinner

26-Aug Rice Belt Dinner 1-Oct Woodlands Dinner 29-Oct Waco Dinner

27-Aug Waco Sportsman's Night Out 1-Oct Lubbock Banquet 29-Oct Corpus Christi Dinner

27-Aug Port Arthur Sponsor 3-Oct Uvalde Dinner 8-Nov Episcopal HS Dinner

27-Aug Rockwall Dinner 3-Oct Marshall 10-Nov Harlingen Dinner

29-Aug Denton Shoot 3-Oct Jasper 10-Nov LUDU Sponsor

29-Aug El Paso Trap Shoot 6-Oct Taylor Dinner 12-Nov Aggieland Dinner

5-Sep Galveston Dinner and Dance 6-Oct Navasota Dinner 12-Nov Victoria Dinner

5-Sep Dayton Fun Shoot 6-Oct Johnson County Dinner 12-Nov Dallas Dinner

10-Sep Pearland SNO 8-Oct San Marcos Dinner 14-Nov Sweetwater Dinner

10-Sep Heart of Texas Dinner 8-Oct Ft Worth Dinner 17-Nov Tyler Dinner

10-Sep Garland-Mesquite Dinner 13-Oct Orange Dinner 19-Nov Columbus Dinner

10-Sep Lake Lewsiville Dinner 15-Oct Baytown Dinner 19-Nov Beaumont Dinner

12-Sep Center Dinner 15-Oct Austin SNO 19-Nov Weatherford Dinner

17-Sep Katy - Brookshire Dinner 15-Oct Central Texas Dinner 3-Dec Ft. Worth Miscellaneous

17-Sep Paris 15-Oct Tamuk Dinner 4-Dec SFADU WHP

17-Sep Grapevine Dinner 16-Oct Arlington Dinner 4-Dec Perryton Banquet

18-Sep Stephenville Banquet 17-Oct Rockport/Fulton Dinner 8-Dec Winnie Sponsor

19-Sep Uvalde Misc 17-Oct Livingston

http://WWW.DUCKS.ORG/TEXAS/EVENTS


DU Spotlight Events Around the State Katy Chapter

The Katy Chapter of Ducks Unlimited hosted the popular Patos de Mayo Crawfish Boil on May 8, 2015.

Over 1,000 pounds of crawfish along with corn and potatoes were severed to over 250 attendees. The

event was sponsored by Silver Eagle Distributers and Cane Island Outfitters. The Patos de Mayo

Crawfish Boil raised over $42,000.

Kilgore High School Chapter

A new Ducks Unlimited High School Chapter was born in Kilgore on June 23, 2015. New Area Chairman

Sydni Borders, with the help of the Kilgore High School Agriculture teacher and KHS Shooting Sports

Coach, Kristin Pieper, recruited a diverse group of over 20 students from drill team members, athletics,

Ag students and some youth waterfowl hunters. They were supported by DU volunteer mentors Dereck

Borders, Richard Doc Harrison, TXAM Area Chair (and Big Sister) Chelsi Borders and ETX District

Chairman Nick Moss. These young DU Volunteers were focused on selling tickets, gathering underwriting

and donations. Coach Pieper was excited for the new high school chapter success. After the smoke

cleared, KHSDU regional income was $16,029. Coach Pieper added that “…the life lessons learned by

these kids will follow them throughout life. This revenue will put critical habitat in the ground.” These are

exciting times for an early summer high school dinner, with a determination to start their legacy as DU

Volunteers in ETX. Kilgore High School is proud of the up and coming wetlands conservationists.

Dripping Springs Chapter

Last month the Dripping Springs Chapter held it’s all time record breaking event despite the devastating

flooding that happened just 15 miles down the road in Wimberley the weekend before. They had a sell-

out crowd at Hog Heaven. Even with the continued threat of flash flooding and rain in the area the day

of the event, the venue was full. The event raised over $41,000. Congratulations are in order for Dr.

Chae Tracy and the Dripping Springs committee for putting on an awesome banquet!

Kilgore High School Committee


We all know how important new committee

members are to our chapters and the health of

our fundraising system. In Texas we have been

trying several different ideas for recruitment this

fall.

The first idea that has been working well is

recruiting at your event using something like a 20

quart Yeti cooler as an incentive raffle for

someone joining the committee. Set up a small

table in the room with the ice chest on top. Have

volunteer recruitment cards laying on the table

and signage to explain what this raffle is. With a

few committee people working the room and a

couple of announcements over the PA system, it’s

pretty easy to pick up some new blood.

The key to the raffle and retention is that you do

not draw a winner at the event. After the event,

the committee will go through the volunteer cards

and remove duplicates and current volunteers.

They will then send out an email and invite these

potential new recruits to a committee wrap up

meeting where the winner will be drawn. Only

new recruits that attend the wrap up meeting will

be eligible to win. This strengthens the committee

by growing it, forces the committee to hold a wrap

up meeting, allows everyone to know how the

event turned out, and offers a chance to discuss

the good and bad as a group.

We have also had success holding happy hours as

recruiting events. The idea was that people are a

lot more likely to show up at a happy hour than

something called a Recruitment Event.

The happy hour entails working with a local bar or

restaurant on some specials on a certain night.

We do not guarantee anything to the bar and do

not pay for anything. Purchasing drinks and food

are the responsibility of the attendees. We send

out an e-blast announcing the happy hour and the

specials. At the event you would say a few words

about DU and the local chapter and then a little bit

about the up coming event and what the plans

are. You can hold a small raffle and give away a

few prizes. We have been picking up a number of

new recruits at these events. For example, at a

recent happy hour, we had 31 show up. After we

spent a few minutes talking about the committee,

we invited everyone to join the committee and to

attend the following week’s meeting. We had

several show up at the follow up meeting. The

chapter ended up signing up 10 new committee

members, and my guess the chapter should gain 6-

7 committed volunteers.

Both of these ideas are low cost ways to help

grow your committee and get that much needed

new blood. Work with your Regional Director on

putting together a recruitment plan that fits your

committee.

Volunteer Recruitment

Ducks Unlimited -

Preserving Texas’s

Waterfowl Hunting Heritage

Our Mission: Ducks Unlimited con-

serves, restores and manages wetlands

and associated habitats for North

America's waterfowl. These habitats

also benefit other wildlife and people.

Our Vision: Wetlands sufficient to fill

the skies with waterfowl today, tomor-

row and forever.

Rusty Legg

State Chairman

1927 Broadway

Galveston, TX 77550

409-762-9900

[email protected]

Thank you for all that you do for the DUCKS!!


Scott Grant

Regional Director - Central Texas

[email protected]

Jim Gregory

Sr. Regional Director – West Texas

[email protected]

Russ Hawley

Regional Director - North Texas

[email protected]

Jason McKey

Sr. Regional Director - Southeast Texas

[email protected]

Tim Soderquist

Sr. Regional Director - Houston Metro

[email protected]

J.E. "Yazoo" Thomas

Sr. Regional Director – East Texas

[email protected]

Mike Wilson

Regional Director - South Texas

[email protected]

Marc Reid

Director of Development - N. Texas

[email protected]

Matt Bunn

Director of Development - SE. Texas

[email protected]

Colton McCarty

Director of Development - SW. Texas

[email protected]

Jeff Lawrence

Director Fundraising and Volunteer

Relations

[email protected]

TEXAS DUCKS UNLIMITED STAFF

Texas DU Officers

State Chairman - Rusty Legg

Incoming State Chairman - Bob Filbert

State Council Chairman - Rob Gokey

State Treasurer - Oliver Aldrich III

State Campaign Chairman - David Koch

Volunteer Recruitment Chairman - Tony Sellers

State Greenwing Chairman - Sherri Emory

Social Media Chairman - Brian Donovan

State Gun Chairman - Brad Burney

State Raffle - Brad Hempkins

State Convention - Mike Stevens

State Event Coordinator - Tommy Chilcutt

First Vice President - Rogers Hoyt Jr.

Senior Vice President Flyway - Shawn de Cento

Regional VP - Bill Ansell

Regional VP - Rob Gokey

National Board Member - At Large - David Feckley

mailto:[email protected]










lone star state news - ducks unlimited · 2015-07-21 · texas boasts more fundraising chapters...

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