Sample Show Bulletin (from 2004 show)
Duckboat show information & rules
Events: Ducks Unlimited Greenwing event,
Waterfowl sporting clays competition, SSWA sporting dogs
demonstration
Great
South Bay decoy contest
Swap
shop
Vendors
Directions
DUCKBOAT SHOW INFORMATION & RULES
Purpose
The purpose behind the Duckboat Show is to enable Long Island
waterfowlers to share ideas about duckboats and other waterfowl
hunting equipment. The Show is arranged as a contest in order to
award the builders, designers, and owners of the rigs best-suited
to pursuing ducks and geese in our waters. We encourage
innovation and originality. Boats are entered in one of five
categories and rated by a panel of three judges. The judges are
experienced waterfowlers and have generally built and used
numerous gunning craft over many years.
Categories
One-man Grassboat, Two-man Grassboat, Floating Blind, Scooter (or
layout boat), and Gunning Coffin. The Show Committee reserves the
right to establish new categories as we see fit. For example, in
the past we have awarded prizes for coot (sea duck) rigs,
traditional boats, portable blinds, freshwater rigs, and
“transports” (the boat used to travel to your gunning
spot) and their hides (such as coffins or portable blinds). These
special categories are established by the Show Chairman and the
Judges on the day of the Show.
What To Bring
Entrants should bring and display their entire rigs. Boat, motor,
trailer (if you trail the rig), and all other typical equipment.
It is necessary to bring only a sample of the decoys you use; the
judges will consider their quality in their assessments.
Similarly, you do not need to wear your gunning clothing. Please
do NOT put your gun in the rig.
What To Do
The judges, along with a small crowd of onlookers, will visit
each boat. This is your time to be a showman. Do not be shy about
pointing out your rig’s attributes. The judges will ask
questions and you the owner will demonstrate, describe, and
explain all of the important and special features of the rig.
Judges will be limited to 5 minutes at each rig.
Judging Criteria
The judges change each year. Nevertheless, they tend to reward
those boat owners who have built or designed their own boats or
equipment. They will be assessing the following features:
Concealment — blends in with its intended surroundings
Seaworthiness — stable and able to carry a heavy load
Comfort — warm and dry, comfortable hiding and shooting
positions
Safety — contains all Coast Guard required equipment and
other equipment to help
a hunter get out of trouble (flotation, radio, tools, etc.)
Special Equipment — equipment to make the hunt safer, more
efficient, effective,
or fun
Rules
1. Rigs cannot be entered if they have won the "Best in
Show" award in a previous show. Previous winners of other
awards may re-enter.
2. Only First Place (Blue Ribbon) rigs may be considered for
“Best in Show.”
3. All Judges’ decisions are final.
Awards
Ribbons for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention. A single
“Best in Show” boat will be awarded from 1st Place
winners.
EVENTS
DUCKS UNLIMITED GREENWING EVENT
This year the Duckboat Show will again feature an event for
Greenwings (children under 18 years of age). Greenwings will be
taught to paint a decoy head by an expert carver and will be able
to take the finished head home with them. This event will take
place from 9:00 to 2:30. There is no charge for this event as the
costs are being covered by DUCKS UNLIMITED.
WATERFOWL SPORTING CLAYS COMPETITION
Bring your shotgun (10 gauge or smaller) or use ours. Yell
“PULL” and show off your wing shooting expertise. This
event will be held at the bulkhead from 9:00 to 2:30 (alternating
1/2 hours with the Sporting Dogs Handling).
Entry Fee: Your gun and shells (steel shot only): $10. Use our
gun and shells: $15.
Practice shooting will be available @ $1.00 a shot with our
ammunition, $.50 a shot with your ammunition. ( STEEL SHOT ONLY )
There will be prizes and ribbons. Further details on the day of
the shoot.
SSWA SPORTING DOGS DEMONSTRATION
The Sporting Dogs Demonstrations will be administered by
experienced dog handlers from the Long Island Retriever Field
Trial Club and will consist of basic obedience and retrieving
instincts. They will demonstrate how to work a dog in preparation
for going into the field as well as how to handle a dog during
the hunt. Bring your own dog down. The handlers will see how your
dog is doing. Why not let the kids handle your dog? It might be
fun for them and you. In the interest of personal and canine
safety, all dogs present at the show must be leashed or kennelled
at all times. If necessary, they should be cleaned-up after.
GREAT
SOUTH BAY DECOY CONTEST
Rules & Regulations
The purpose of this contest is to provide an opportunity for
carvers in the greater Long Island area (Connecticut to New
Jersey) to enter their own gunning stool and “slick”
decorative decoys in a friendly competition.
FEATURES
- The 3 major categories: Al McCormick Gunning Stool, Shang
Wheeler Decorative Decoys, and Harry Ike Gunning Stool Spread.
Each will offer a single “Best in Show” award. There is
no prize money.
- All skill levels of carvers (e.g., novice, intermediate, and
professional) will compete together.
- Judges will change each year and will have expertise
appropriate to the class of decoy.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
- Decoys must be carved and painted within the last year, except
in the Harry Ike category.
- All decisions of the Judges and Show Committee are final.
- All decoys must bear the permanent identification mark or name
of the carver on the bottom. This will be taped over before
judging.
- The judges reserve the right to award all or none of the places
in a category, dependent upon the quality and quantity of the
decoys.
- The South Shore Waterfowlers Association will not be held
responsible for loss or damage to any carvings.
AL McCORMICK GUNNING STOOL
This category is intended to capture the spirit of Al
McCormick’s decoys. It is for decoys that are made for and
used as actual hunting decoys. Al McCormick Gunning Stool are
tools to be used and not simply works of art. They must perform
all of the jobs required by actual gunning conditions.
Al McCormick Gunning Stool will be judged on the water. Judges
will first view decoys at a distance of 10 to 20 yards; later
they will be inspected in hand.
SHANG WHEELER DECORATIVE DECOYS
Shang Wheeler Decorative Decoys will be judged in a tank. True to
their working decoy origins, they must float properly. They do
not need to self-right, however, and keels, ballast, and a means
of attaching a line are unnecessary. Shorebirds will not be
floated but must be attached to a base. All decoys must be
life-size.
HARRY IKE GUNNING STOOL SPREAD
This category will consist of a spread of six working birds, all
of the same species. The species to be judged, the judging
standards, and the prizes to be awarded will be the same as in
the Al McCormick category. Each bird will be judged both
individually and as part of the spread.
AWARDS — Ribbons for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and
Honorable Mention. There will be 2 “Best in Shows”
awarded.
SWAP
SHOP
If you have a waterfowling or outdoor piece of equipment
you’d like to sell, why not bring it down and put it into
the Swap Shop. The club will try and sell it for you. Should we
be successful, we would appreciate a donation.
You also might want to consider donating old items that you
consider junk and are taking up space in your garage or basement.
Why don’t you have a look around and see what you can find.
Remember, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.
VENDORS
The South Show Waterfowlers Association welcomes vendors to the
Duckboat Show. Vendors have an opportunity to show their products
to about 800 spectators who are primarily waterfowlers,
fishermen, and boaters. If you are interested in attending the
show as a vendor, please download the application (PDF TXT)
and contact show chairman Curt Matzinger at (631) 661-0379.
DIRECTIONS: Located approximately 2 miles west of Oak
Beach, the Cedar Beach Marina is on the north side of the barrier beach between
Oak Beach and Gilgo (east of Jones Beach). It is accessible from
Ocean Parkway; just look for the signs with the flying ducks. Be
aware if you are pulling a trailer you may not use the Parkway
system except for south of the Sunrise Highway (State Rt 27). To
use Mapquest
directions, enter Oak Beach and NY
as city and state.
For more information, contact Curt Matzinger at (631) 661-0379.