Just some of the people and things I was covering at the DUCK UNLIMITED GREAT OUTDOOR FESTIVAL  MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE 2004, JUNE 4TH THRU JUNE 6TH. Thanks for checking in. Please sign our guest book

THE GREAT OUTDOORS FAMILY

What is the first thing that comes to mind after attending the Ducks Unlimited Great Outdoor Festival in Memphis, Tennessee. “FAMILY” – That is the bottom line of what this event is all about. Families from every state in the region were enjoying great outdoor activities together. No one event across the United States shows how strong families and the great outdoors are woven together.

With great outdoor activities for every member of the family to see and take part in and in such great quantity it would amazing to hear that anyone person could attend all the events at this great outdoor festival in one day.

To give you a short list of what was at the Great Outdoor Festival this year: 

Shooting Sports Village – Shotgun, Rifle, Pistol, Air Rifle Ranges and Exhibition Shooting area.

Archery Village – Youth and Adult 3D archery range, and Exhibition Shooting area.

Fishing Village – Fly Fishing classes, and canoe and kayak areas.

Biking & Camping Village – Climbing walls, and off road bike track.

Hunting Dog Village – Handler demonstrations, and Retrieval training classes.

ATV Village – Fishing pool for kids along with test-drive ATV’s for adults and kids.

4x4 Village – Test-drive and see the latest sport utility vehicles and 4x4 trucks, and some you did not even know they existed.

Conservation Village – Local, regional, national conservation efforts and agencies and youth activity center.

Exhibitors – With hundreds of new and favorite companies to show their new and existing products, available to buy and/or see first hand for every type of outdoor activity.

That is the short list of activities that I was able to see and my family was able to participate in at the festival for two days and still did not see and do everything I wanted.

EVERYTHING OUTDOORS

Don’t let the Ducks Unlimited throw you off, even with everything for the waterfowl hunter under the sun on hand. This is just not an event for the waterfowl hunter either. At the Great Outdoors Festival they had events, products, activities and organizations for the deer hunter, turkey hunter, or any type of hunter, fisherman, trapper, or what ever you do in the woods or on the water on hand for you to see or try out first hand. 

WHY GO?

Why Not! Like I said before, with everything under the sun to do and see. Well, I was just like you, I had never been to one until last year and that was a last minute plan with just a few friends. But, after that first year I planned for my family to attend. This year both the wife and my son had a great time even with the temperature reaching into the 90’s they had areas to cool off and to take break when needed. Along with the friends from last year brought there families also and even commenting that this event was better than going to Six Flags for a day. Makes for a great 3-day vacation.

Well we got a little later start than we wanted to but that is the way typical family is headed out for a weekend. If you do attend there is a ton of parking but you need to get there early to avoid the main heat of the day and to get a little closer parking spot. People from across the country had driven in and flew in for this event. Nothing you can imagine can prepare you for a show like this unless you have been before and you and your family will want to go back next year.

WHO DO YOU KNOW AT THE SHOW?

Well I am not going to list every manufacturer, supplier or outdoor personalities at the show that would be impossible, but I will list a several so you get an idea. Bill Jordan’s Realtree,  Hunter Specialties Calls, Primos Hunting Calls, Duck Commander, CamoClad, The Hunt Cam, Zubwear Tubular Headwear, Alcoa Camo Wheels, Sportsman magazine, and HunTeen magazine.

For the outdoor personalities, it had to be the place to be of the hunting world for individuals to meet your favorite. Michael Waddell and Scott Hughes with Realtree, Jimmie Primos and Duke Turnage with Primos Hunting Calls, Bill Dance host of Bill Dance Outdoors, Tom Knapp world famous Exhibition Shooter, Phil Robertson – The Duck Commander, Michael Stewart – Wildrose Kennel Team. You can honestly say the pro-staff and manufacture representatives for almost every company was on hand to answer questions. 

The NO. 1outdoor personalities that were on hand for this event were the hundreds of Great Outdoors Festivals Volunteers. By far you could take away the rest of the outdoor personalities on hand at this event and still have a great time. But the VOLUNTEERS that work throughout the heat for all three days, there would be no event at all. They deserve more credit than anyone could ever give them and are the true stars at this event and the reason the outdoors will always be a strong. I would like to thank them ALL for everything they did.

The only thing I regret when I was leaving the show not attending the show for all three days. The main reason I did not get to talk to everyone or get to see every single new product now out. You just can not do it in one or even two days. But will take what I can get.

GOING TO MISS IT AGAIN?

With events like this, I will say that the heritage of hunting and the great outdoors may be under attack. But, it is strong in tradition, families, and companies trying to keep it alive! Just in case you want to get a head start for next year. Go to www.dugof.com and bookmark that page and find out when the next year will come around.

I am glad that I was able to take my family and friends to such an event like this and hope I will again. 

Hope to see you in the woods or on the water and even at the Ducks Unlimited Great Outdoor Festival next year. Horntagger. 

Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Matte Finish or Metallic Finish
This was my No. 1 Pick.	This was my No. 2 Pick.
This was my No. 3 Pick.	Here is a view of it on a Truck. I did not like the Metallic Finish in any of the Patterns to shiny for my taste.

Ducks Unlimited
Great Outdoor Festival
Memphis, Tennessee 2004 JUNE 4TH thru JUNE 6TH.

http://www.dugof.com/memphis.html

Agricenter International
7777 Walnut Grove Road, Memphis, TN 38120

Show Hours
Friday noon – 7 pm
Saturday 9 am – 7 pm
Sunday 9 am – 5 pm

Complete Schedule of Events

Tired of test-driving an SUV on the dealers parking lot? Try the specially constructed off-road track at the Festival!
•Latest vehicle models and concept cars
• Sport Utility Vehicles
• 4x4 Tracks
• Test drives in off-road conditions
• Aftermarket displays & demonstrations
4X4 Village Schedule of Events

The lure of the bow will point you in this direction!
• Hands-on firing at mat and 3D targets
• Bow hunting tips & demonstrations by world-class archers
• the Bowhunter Challenge
• Bows, arrows & accessories by industry leaders
Archery Village Schedule of Events

If you're into traveling the back roads:
• Test drive on a dirt track with hills, ruts, logs & puddles
• ATV and Utility Vehicles
• Industry representatives with the latest models and accessories
ATV Village Schedule of Events

Climb to a new experience biking, camping,
hiking & more:
•Camping equipment
• Biking gear
• Take a spin on our challenging bike tracks
• Trick riding demonstrations
• Two climbing walls
• Wilderness Cooking competition
• Boy Scouts Cooking Demonstrations
Biking & Camping Village Schedule of Events

Discover what non-profit agencies are doing today to make a difference in our tomorrow:
• Local, regional, national conservation efforts
• Worldwide conservation organizations
• Ducks Unlimited & Greenwing area
• Youth activity center
• Visit Drake the official ducks Unlimited Dog
Conservation Village Schedule of Events

Catch a little bit of everything!
• Latest rods, gear & clothing
• Boats and motors
• Bass fishing
• Fly fishing demonstrations
• Paddle around the lake in a canoe or kayak
• Decoy displays
Fishing Village Schedule of Events

Designed for man's best friend:
• Handler demonstrations
• Retrieval training & techniques
• Vetinary clinics
• Leading industry manufacturers
• Water retrieval demonstrations
*All dogs must be rabies vaccinated and wear a rabies vaccination tag. Please come to the festival prepared to clean up after your dog.
Hunting Dog Village Schedule of Events

Whether you're an avid shooter, or looking to just try it out:
• Shotguns, Pistols, Rifles, Air Rifles
• Expert supervision
• Safe and proper use of all products
• Special guests, including Tom Knapp and Cowboy Action shooters from SASS
• Win a chance to "Shoot with the Pros"
• Reloading demonstrations
• Try out Guns & Ammo's 2001 Guns of the Year
Shooting Sport Village Schedule of Events

We bring the Great Outdoors inside!
• Hundreds of exhibitors
• Publications including outdoor-oriented magazines
• Apparel
• Cooking demonstrations
• Youth art display
Exhibitor Village Schedule of Events

Don't Miss a Single Saw Screaming, Axe Swinging, Chip Flying Second
• Catch the STIHL® competition live at the Festival and then watch it again on ESPN
• 28 Contestants from around the world
• Six Exciting Timbersports® Events: Springboard, STIHL® Stock Saw, Underhand Chop, Single Buck, Standing Block Chop and Hot Saw
• Catch the competition in it's 17th season
• Click here for more information

Come Compete or Just Watch the DUGOF's First Ever Calling Competition!
• Thousands of Dollars in Prizes
• Duck Calling: junior, hunting and competitive style
• Goose Calling
• Turkey Calling sanctioned by the National Wild Turkey Federation
• Stay tuned to the Promos and Prizes page for registration and other information

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