WATERFOWL MIGRATION
As the haze slowly levitated, the echo of waterfowl filled the air. I found it hard to believe the day was finally here. The rumble of ATV's dampened by the fog and my associates were all hard at work. The vendors slowly filed into position and the trout pond splashed in excitement. This day would go down in history for being the first time "Jack Miner's Bird Sanctuary" would be open to the public on a Sunday. A day that young and old would congregate at the home of the man that some called the "Father of Conservation" and celebrate "Nature" with others who care about Conservation, Waterfowl and the Great Outdoors. It seemed to go against the grain for some and for others it was a day to show off what days of practice had accomplished. We had waterfowl experts from near and far, come to experience Goose & Duck calling at it's best. The contest was like no other, the callers had an opportunity for the first time to have his/her name put on an authentic "Jack Miner" leg band and released into the wild.
On Saturday October 22, 2011 the winners were invited to join the Sanctuary and it's volunteers in placing some very special bands on live waterfowl. With anticipation the Friday night was filled with laughter and excitement as some of the best callers in the area joined for a campfire filled with stories and tales. The ring of duck calls filled the hallways of our small home and laughter was shared on the patio. Many of the these Winners had never had the opportunity to share in the tracking of waterfowl and the privilege was worn on their faces with a proud smile. The weather was superb for an autumn morning and it was over far too quickly. I can't wait until we hear their whistling wings when they return in the spring from their path of warmer places.
Until next time...
Danielle Russell ©2011
Some pics below...
Until next time...
Danielle Russell ©2011
Some pics below...
JACK MINER CALLING CLASSIC RESULTS
We had a great day with a record in attendance of over 800 visitors to the 1st Jack Miner Calling Classic. We had a trout pond for the kids, hayrides to transport the visitors back and forth from Kennedy Woods where the retriever club was demonstrating their well trained dogs, back to Ty Cobb field where the rest of the show was held. Local youth Tyler Thiessen played his electric guitar for our opening ceremonies followed by a short presentation of a aerial photo presented to the Miners in thanks for letting us host a very special event. Mark's Work warehouse put on a short fashion show during our lunch hour break followed by Joel Robinet playing accoustic guitar. The calling competition wrapped up around 5:00 pm. Many thanks to our judges who consisted of George Lynch (Lynchmob Calls, MI) Bob Alferi (GK Calls, MI) David Roy (St. Lawrence Outfitters, Lansdowne, ON) Craig McDonald (Goose Calling Champion- Kingsville,ON) Rob Lesperance (Bradley Hunt Club - Guide, Pain Court, ON)
Congratulations to all winners. All first place contestants will have the privledge of having their name put on an authentic "Jack Miner" band and the at the next time they band the geese, these bands will go on a goose and have the chance to fly all over North America. Our first place in the Master Goose division- Josh Brugmans will be the first to have his name on our trophy that was carved by local carver-Darcy Kok. This trophy will be on display in the Jack Miner museum for all to see. After many submissions to name our trophy, his name will be "The Golden Gander" submitted by Kingsville Resident -John Jones.
Winners as follows: Youth Goose - 1st - Brandon Wood (Kingsville, ON) 2nd- Austin Edelmager (Grand Haven, MI) 3rd- Tyler Giraud (Palms, MI) Youth Duck - 1st - Michael Evers (Innisfil, ON ) 2nd - Tyler Roussey (Sturgis, MI)3rd Robert Dick (Holland, MI ) Novice Goose - 1st Brandon Wood (Kingsville, ON) 2nd - Chad Vines (Rockwood, MI) 3rd- Tyler Sabelli (Leamington, ON ) Novice Duck 1st - Tyler Roussey (Sturgis, MI) 2nd Jesse Harris (Cottam, ON) 3rd -Mike Gill (Grafton, ON) Two-Man Goose - 1st -Patrick Sylvester (Belle River, ON) & Josh Brugmans (Chesterville, ON) 2nd Tyler Sabelli (Leamington, ON) & Mike Coppola (Ruthven, ON) 3rd Scott Rumble (Ridgetown, ON) & Josh Brugmans (Chesterville, ON) Two-Man Duck - 1st - Patrick Sylvester (Belle River, ON) & Greg Whitson (Windsor, ON) 2nd - Dan Foster (Bright, ON) & Paul Hinman (Burton, MI) 3rd- Paul Hinnman (Burton, MI) & Corey Sorensen (Burton, MI) Master Goose - 1st - Josh Brugmans (Chesterville, ON) 2nd - Scott Rumble (Ridgetown, ON) 3rd - Mike Coppola (Ruthven, ON) Master Duck - 1st - Corey Sorensen(Burton, MI) 2nd- Paul Hinnman (Burton, MI) 3rd - T.J. Wilson (Grand Marais, MI)
Many callers from Essex/ Kent County, several from the Toronto area and some as far away as Chesterfeild (near Ottawa). Several USA callers were from Michigan, and as far as Milton, Delaware.
Congrats to all!
Scott & Danielle Russell
Congratulations to all winners. All first place contestants will have the privledge of having their name put on an authentic "Jack Miner" band and the at the next time they band the geese, these bands will go on a goose and have the chance to fly all over North America. Our first place in the Master Goose division- Josh Brugmans will be the first to have his name on our trophy that was carved by local carver-Darcy Kok. This trophy will be on display in the Jack Miner museum for all to see. After many submissions to name our trophy, his name will be "The Golden Gander" submitted by Kingsville Resident -John Jones.
Winners as follows: Youth Goose - 1st - Brandon Wood (Kingsville, ON) 2nd- Austin Edelmager (Grand Haven, MI) 3rd- Tyler Giraud (Palms, MI) Youth Duck - 1st - Michael Evers (Innisfil, ON ) 2nd - Tyler Roussey (Sturgis, MI)3rd Robert Dick (Holland, MI ) Novice Goose - 1st Brandon Wood (Kingsville, ON) 2nd - Chad Vines (Rockwood, MI) 3rd- Tyler Sabelli (Leamington, ON ) Novice Duck 1st - Tyler Roussey (Sturgis, MI) 2nd Jesse Harris (Cottam, ON) 3rd -Mike Gill (Grafton, ON) Two-Man Goose - 1st -Patrick Sylvester (Belle River, ON) & Josh Brugmans (Chesterville, ON) 2nd Tyler Sabelli (Leamington, ON) & Mike Coppola (Ruthven, ON) 3rd Scott Rumble (Ridgetown, ON) & Josh Brugmans (Chesterville, ON) Two-Man Duck - 1st - Patrick Sylvester (Belle River, ON) & Greg Whitson (Windsor, ON) 2nd - Dan Foster (Bright, ON) & Paul Hinman (Burton, MI) 3rd- Paul Hinnman (Burton, MI) & Corey Sorensen (Burton, MI) Master Goose - 1st - Josh Brugmans (Chesterville, ON) 2nd - Scott Rumble (Ridgetown, ON) 3rd - Mike Coppola (Ruthven, ON) Master Duck - 1st - Corey Sorensen(Burton, MI) 2nd- Paul Hinnman (Burton, MI) 3rd - T.J. Wilson (Grand Marais, MI)
Many callers from Essex/ Kent County, several from the Toronto area and some as far away as Chesterfeild (near Ottawa). Several USA callers were from Michigan, and as far as Milton, Delaware.
Congrats to all!
Scott & Danielle Russell
Lynch Mob & Team Webfoot got some GREAT footage on the day. Many youth were influenced and fun was had by all!
THE FIRST TO HAVE HIS NAME ON THE "JACK MINER CALLING CLASSIC"
MASTER GOOSE TROPHY - TO BE KEPT ON SITE, IN THE JACK MINER MUSEUM IS MR. JOSH BRUGMANS of CHESTERVILLE, ON. THIS TROPHY IS ONE OF A KIND, HAND CARVED BY A LOCAL ARTIST. NEXT YEAR WE WILL DUST IT OFF AND DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN.
MASTER GOOSE TROPHY - TO BE KEPT ON SITE, IN THE JACK MINER MUSEUM IS MR. JOSH BRUGMANS of CHESTERVILLE, ON. THIS TROPHY IS ONE OF A KIND, HAND CARVED BY A LOCAL ARTIST. NEXT YEAR WE WILL DUST IT OFF AND DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN.
HTML Comment Box is loading comments...
THE JACK MINER CALLING CLASSIC WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!!!
THANKS TO ALL WHO ATTENDED!
The number one WINNER of every category will be getting their name put on an authentic Jack Miner band and at the next group of birds banded, will have these bands with the winners names on them. The birds will have the opportunity to fly across North America and if claimed, the report will have the name of the Winner and the reporting number. Once reported, the name on the band will be notified and wrote down in the record book. This is very cool. Only time ever in the history of Jack Miner's to have this done.
Sponsors
