That more than 160 outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen, young and old, showed up at the New Iberia Ducks Unlimited Chapter’s annual banquet Oct. 24 is a testament to their love for past, present and future duck hunting.

The turnout also was a huge stamp of approval for the local chapter’s fundraising efforts under the direction of Jason Foster, who oversaw his 12th banquet that night inside the Isle of Iberia RV Resort. Twelve years ago, before his first-ever event as chairman, Foster took over a chapter with a declining support base as far as banquet attendance.

When the going gets tough, the tough and those who refuse to quit get going. He lifted the chapter up by its bootstraps.

“We’ve all known for some time that getting people to the event has been a challenge. This year we reached a new milestone since my active role with more than 160 participants at the event. If we can build upon this energy and maintain our momentum with realistic benchmarks, I know our chapter can regain the national leadership position we once claimed,” Foster said, proudly.

In October 2023, there were 125-plus banquet-goers on hand at the Isle of Iberia RV Resort. Attendance rose again last week.

The 2024 fundraiser took in $60,445 based on preliminary numbers, according to Foster. Major Donor ticket sales totaled $26,975, raffle sales checked in at $14,680, live auction sales totaled $13,550 and silent auction sales raised $5,240.

What’s more, Foster said his dedicated banquet committee made inroads on several preset goals. He was impressed and oh-so proud that the local chapter hit 46 percent of the 80 percent target for prepaid ticket sales, landed 45 major sponsors to hit 69 percent of its goal to secure 65.

And, he reported, the fundraising committee wanted to add two new, younger members and did just that with Chris Collins and Robert Minvielle Jr.

In an email Oct. 28 to his “team” of organizers and doers from the New Iberia DU Chapter, Foster, 37, declared the event a major success and wrote, “In my 12 years being involved in this chapter, we have tried to evolve and make changes that we felt would benefit wetlands conservation. And while the net effect for ducks really comes down to dollars, sometimes a strategy must also incorporate other items to determine long-term success.”

The Cestia Wealth Management’s wealth manager also pointed out more than 20 firearms were sold and raffle sales exceeded $14,000. The latter probably is a record during his tenure as chairman, he wrote.

Of course, food served at a banquet also plays a role in the success, or lack of it, of such fundraising events. Plenty of compliments poured in to the cooking team and other banquet committee members, according to Dr. Shannon Gonsoulin. He’s a veteran cooking team member.

Foster said, “The cooking committee delivered, as usual. Smoked pork loin, cole slaw and sweet treats seem to do the trick. Thanks to all involved.”

Once again, the sweets he was talking about were big hits inside the hall. Fresh-baked desserts and pastries were prepared by none other than Margaret Burke. Burke and her husband, P.R. Burke, have been mainstays of the local conservation group since the 1970s. “P.R.,” president and chairman of the Vermilion Corp., was instrumental in acquiring $500,000 from ExxonMobil two years ago for the Bayou Chenes Project in Vermilion Parish.

Gonsoulin, Burke, Greg Mullen, Tommy Broussard, Jason Broussard, Jim Leach and Sydney Schwing Smith also were on the cooking team.

Several banquet committee members wore several hats. Gonsoulin was part of event preparation and management along with Jim Leach, Robert Minvielle Jr., Robert Dore, Troy Dubois, Dave Hebert and Austin Mouton.

Chet Schwing also coordinated event sales with veteran Gordie White, the chapter’s founder, and Jamie Johns.

The event’s major underwriters this year are Musson Patout Automotive Group, Dugas Auto Repairs and Iberia Outdoor Power. Distillerie Acadian pitched as an event contributor with “generous support and partnership.”

DON SHOOPMAN is outdoors editor of The Daily Iberian.