Welcome to our Virtual Festival!
Festival Video Topics
Be sure to check back as we will add new content throughout the month of August 2020!
2020 MI State Duck Qualifier Calling Competition
August 15, 2020
Congratulations to the 2020 Michigan Duck Calling Competition Winners!
1st Place - Garrett Krzysiak
2nd Place - Dustin Swanick
3rd Place - David Ellsworth
4th Place - JR Ellsworth
A big THANK YOU! to -
Judges: Rick Kagerer, Ryan O'Connor, Bob Majdecki, Chris Hillman, and Sally Kagerer
Contest Sponsors: Frank's Outdoors and MDHA
2020 Duck Stamp Winner & 2020 Featured Artist: Chris Smith
Christopher Smith is a wildlife artist from Suttons Bay, Michigan. He specializes in dogs and wildlife scenes for pet owners and wildlife lovers across the country. Chris has illustrated more than twenty hunting and fishing books. He is a Contributing Artist for Retriever Journal and a freelance illustrator for the Pointing Dog Journal, Just Labs, and Ruffed Grouse Society magazine, with several dozen magazine covers to his credit. Chris is also a freelance writer, having written and illustrated a “Field Guide to Upland Bird and Waterfowl Identification.” He is also co-author with brother Jason of Waterfowling Horizons.
For more information, visit his website:
A big THANK YOU to our 2020 Sponsors!
And Supporting Friends:
Bob Majdecki - Meaghan Gass, MI Sea Grant - Dr. Francke, Bay Animal Hospital - Chris Smith
Liz Warmbier, Bay Co. Health Dept. - Brent Fetting, MDHA - Aaron Parsons, Riverstix
Tri-City Carvers Club
Saginaw Bay Waterfowl Festival Videos
New content released every Saturday and Wednesday
August 1 - August 29, 2020
Future Duck Stamp Program
Ever wondered how artists visualize what they are about to draw? Learn how to create a stunning waterfowl stamp drawing with 2020 Waterfowl Festival featured artist, Chris Smith! Follow along with Chris as he gives an overview of how he goes about drawing a stamp for the Duck Stamp Contest.
Macroinvertebrates
Macroinvertebrates are an essential food source for waterfowl. But they aren't just duck food...
Follow Jonathan Massung, Saginaw Bay Visitor Center Interpreter, as he shows us some of the small organisms that are essential for aquatic habitat for both waterfowl and fish.
Waterfowl ID - the basics
Take a closer look at the details that help you to distinguish between various ducks found in Michigan.
Don't forget - the Future Duck Stamp contest is accepting your original duck stamp art through August 15. Check out the Contests page for more information.
Build a Wood Duck Box
Watch as Jonathan Massung, Saginaw Bay Visitor Center Interpreter, walks you through the steps for building your very own wood duck box!
Download the instructions for FREE:
Explore Saginaw Bay & Lake Huron
Learn about Saginaw Bay waterfowl, fishery, wetlands, and more in this clickable PDF. Each image links to videos, coloring pages, and other resources.
🤔 Questions?
Contact Meaghan Gass, Sea Grant Extension Educator, at gassmeag@msu.edu.
SaginawBayWaterFowlFestival-MISG (1).pdfHunting Dog Safety - hot weather conditions
Getting your dog ready for the upcoming hunting season?
Dr. Bruce Francke, D.V.M., Bay Animal Hospital, describes what to consider when it comes to your 4-footed friend.
Want more info? Check out the
Youth Calling Clinic - duck call 101
See our Contests Page for how youth can submit their 2 best calls!
Join Bob Majdecki as he walks through the basic steps for beginning duck calling!
Thanks to Frank's Outdoors for sponsoring the duck calls for the Youth Waterfowl Club!
Michigan State Duck Calling Competition
Round 1
Rounds 2 & 3
Duck Call Lanyard
Thanks to Aaron Parsons from Riverstix Fur for helping us make this video!
Follow Riverstix Fur on Facebook!
Soap Carving
Here's a great activity to try at home!
Join the guys from Tri-City Carvers as they give an introduction to soap carving.
Want to learn more?
Waterfowl ID - on the hunt
Identifying Waterfowl on the Hunt, with Bob Majdecki
For additional help identifying waterfowl, visit:
Decoy Touch-up
Thanks to Malinda Massung, Bay City State Park Volunteer Artisan!
Share a picture of your newly painted decoy.
massungj@michigan.gov
Duck ID Trail
Trail will be open through August 28th.
Duck Trail ID Challenge on the Lagoon!
Email answers to massungj@michigan.gov
Prizes include Decoy Kits, Wood Duck Boxes and more!