WA Brant Foundation will host our annual fundraiser celebration with the 2023 Puget Sound Open Decoy Carving Competition, featuring entries from across the U.S.  This year’s guest of honor is USF&W Biologist Chris Nicolai from Reno, Nevada. Chris is well known as one of the most prolific banders of wild waterfowl ever in North America and his involvement with cutting edge tracking technology.  Also a master carver, he will bring some works to display and visit over.   Other special guests include nationally recognized carvers Marty Hanson from Wisconsin, and  local World Champion Tom Newell of LaConner.   Also attending will be expert Mike Miller with his books documenting the history of west coast decoys.  Competition classes include Novice, Pro, a special Mini, and the Ducks Unlimited state championship. Other displays will include WA Waterfowl Assn mounted birds, Air Strike Bird Control Live Raptors, and various outdoor & decoy vendors such as Jerry Corrion, Dennis Fisk, and Craig Cimmiyotti from Oregon.  Food available, kids activities.  Judging ongoing  from 10am until noon, then  at 12:30 - awards, live auction of decoys and related items, scholarship winners, and sponsor gun raffle. Entries check in at 9am.  Funds generated support our scholarship program, field research, and public outreach which includes decoy carving classes through Burlington Park & Rec.

 

 

 

Some of the contest's we are featuring this year include: