It was the biggest crowd ever Jan. 16 at the Ducks Unlimited 10th annual Jerry Jones Sportsman's Award Banquet. This is according to Steve "Wildman" Wilson, who was serving as master of ceremonies at the event, held at Chenal Country Club.
Some 300 guests were there to raise money for Ducks Unlimited and honor Steve G. Smith, president of the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation from 1998 to 2014.
He was introduced by national Ducks Unlimited president George Dunklin of Stuttgart, who noted Smith's commitment to education and his leadership in the drive to pass Arkansas Amendment 75, a conservation sales tax that since 1997 has raised $410 million dollars for Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas Heritage Commission and the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission.
Smith was honored with a bronze sculpture of a Canada goose. In accepting the award, Smith said he was proud to have been a member of Ducks Unlimited for more than 40 years and glad that money raised that evening would go toward youth education.
"As a state we can be proud of our conservation efforts, and I pray these efforts will continue," he said.
The evening began with cocktails and a silent auction. A live auction was held during dinner, which included an Elite Duck Call made by Brad Allen (three-time duck calling world champion), which sold for $160; and a NASCAR Racing Experience -- Rusty Wallace Package for two, which sold for $800.
Money raised supports Ducks Unlimited's Green Wings, a program for young conservationists. Brian Minchew was the event chairman and Earl Phillips was co-chairman.
-- Story and photos by Cary Jenkins
High Profile on 01/25/2015