The Mississippi State Bulldog Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will host its annual Fall Banquet fundraiser at Rick’s Café on Wednesday, Nov. 7, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Stephen Leininger, senior wildlife and fisheries major and chair of the DU Bulldog Chapter, said the banquet will comprise a buffet-style pork tenderloin supper, numerous raffles and a live auction.
Leininger said the event is open to all, including those who do not hunt waterfowl themselves.
“You don’t have to be a redneck to enjoy the event,” he said. “The beautiful thing about it is that you’ll see doctors and lawyers there with farmers and everyone else.”
Justyn Foth, PhD student in the College of Forest Resources and silent auction coordinator for the DU Bulldog Chapter, said DU is successful because a wide variety of people are willing to support its mission of preserving and protecting waterfowl.
“A big key to DU is getting your community involved, and half the fun is the camaraderie with your peers,” Foth said.
Foth said college students have come to play a highly important role in DU over the past decade.
“The college chapters are great for recruitment. College students, who may not have a lot of money now, will look for local DU chapters and donate later in life,” he said.
According to Megan Annison, senior wildlife and fisheries major and co-chair of the DU Bulldog Chapter, students from across campus and from various backgrounds have shown an interest in DU.
Annison said a growing number of girls are on the committee for the Bulldog Chapter.  She also said the raffle will include a ladies’ table with items ranging from purses to gift certificates to clothing.
Leininger said the Bulldog Chapter has won the Duck Bowl, a fundraising competition among MSU, the University of Mississippi, and the University of Southern Mississippi, for the past two years.
Leininger said attendees will be able to bid on items such as guns, wildlife prints, coolers, decoys, calls, knives, watches and more.  He also said attendees will hear from the DU director for the state of Mississippi about the organization’s recent activities.
According to Leininger, a single student ticket costs $35 in advance and $45 at the door. Similarly, he said a student couple’s ticket costs $55 in advance and $65 at the door. He also said attendees can purchase a drink cup ($5 pre-sale, $10 at the door) for all-you-care-to-drink beverages during the event.
“Also, if you buy your ticket during the pre-sale, you get a shot at winning a Yeti cooler in a drawing,” he said.
Annison said the reaction from students who have attended the event in the past has been very positive.
“A lot of my friends loved it and are asking if it’s time for the DU Fall Banquet again,” she said.
She also said the purchase of a ticket includes a one-year membership in DU with a magazine subscription and decals.
Leininger said the Bulldog Chapter has high expectations for this year’s Fall Banquet.
“Our goal is for this to be a fun, well-organized event where people can relax, see their friends, and enjoy a good meal,” he said.
The Bulldog Chapter can be found on Facebook at Ducks Unlimited Bulldog Chapter and on Twitter at @DUdawgs.