The Quad was filled with quacks and laughs Saturday at Murray State’s Ducks Unlimited and Wildlife and Fisheries societies’ inaugural Call of the Fall.
Ducks Unlimited and Wildlife and Fisheries Society chapters have wanted to host a local duck calling contest but had never, until this past Saturday.
“It’s something we’d always brainstormed about and just kind of dreamed about doing, but just this year we kind of got it in our heads that we wanted to do something cool, something different,” said Jacob Goodman, junior from Hickman, Ky. “With ties in both the Ducks Unlimited and Wildlife and Fisheries Society, two huge conservation organizations – why not have a hunting event on campus.”
The event took place on the Quad early Saturday morning and featured 15 registered duck calling competitors battling it out and calling for a cause. The competition was fierce in all categories, but took on new levels in the professional division as the difference between first and second place came down to one tenth of a point.
“I was very impressed with all of the levels of calling skill, even the green wing division. Honestly, I wish I could call that well at age 14,” Goodman said.
All proceeds that was raised from the contest will be donated to local wetland conservation.
“The money goes to the ducks,” said Dan Stevens, senior from O’Fallon, Mo., “It goes to wetland conservation and preservation.”
The group believes the event was a success, and looks forward to not only making the “Call of the Fall” a Murray State tradition, but to also creating even more new events for the Murray community to enjoy.
“The turnout was what we expected for the first year doing something like this,” Goodman said. “This year answered a lot of questions and most definitely prepared us for next year.”
The Ducks Unlimited and Wildlife and Fisheries Society chapters are still accepting new members.
For more information check out the “Murray State University Ducks Unlimited Chapter” or “The Wildlife and Fisheries Society (Murray State)” Facebook pages or contact Jacob Goodman at jgoodman6@murraystate.edu.
Story by Shannon MacAllister, Staff writer.