If you know and enjoy hearing “Bingo Lingo,” you’ll love the opportunity to play bingo for a cause that benefits the great outdoors, particularly coastal habitat used by wildlife.

The New Iberia Ducks Unlimited Chapter has scheduled its first-ever New Iberia Duck Bingo, which is being held this week, so perhaps you might hear “One little duck (the number 2 looks like a little duckling),” “Cup of tea (British are fond of tea and it rhymes with 3),” or “Knock at the door (rhymes with 4).”

The local chapter scheduled a New Iberia Duck Bingo Night for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, inside the Sliman Theatre in New Iberia. DU guns from pistols to rifles to shotguns are the major prizes. It should be a fun night for all while raising bucks for ducks.

Chapter chairman Jason Foster said, “This is something new we’re trying. DU has been doing it in strategic places around the state. They just wanted to try it out in New Iberia,” he said. “Vermilion Parish DU has been doing it a couple years and they have had great success.”

Troy Dubois of Abbeville, DU state chairman who works as a lumber salesperson for Otto Hebert Lumber Yard in Delcambre, agreed and said the Vermilion chapter’s first two Bangeaux events raised in the neighborhood of $10,000-$15,000 but last year’s Bangeaux took in around $30,000.

“As word gets out, people gravitate to it because it’s a fun event. We have it once a year. Last year I think we got 150-200,” Dubois said, noting the first year’s Bangeaux was held at the American Legion Hall near the Abbeville Chris Crusta Memorial Airport.

However, he said, “It kind of outgrew that. We moved over to Jacob Landry’s place in Erath on Edwards Street, The 107.”

That’s where his chapter’s fourth Bangeaux will be held again in August, he said, adding a date and time has yet to be scheduled.

“I love it. My wife comes with me. She has a good time. It draws a different crowd. Lots of kids come. It doesn’t have to be a Ducks Unlimited person. People who like bingo,” Dubois said. “I have a good time. I normally play. At the first one, my wife actually won a gun.”

The New Iberia Ducks Unlimited Chapter has joined other DU organizations across the state to raise money with an event that brings supporters, families and community members together for a night of fun and friendly competition.

Foster’s excitement level remains off the charts since he announced the date a few months ago for the unique and inclusive approach to raising funds and awareness for protecting and preserving our wetlands and species that rely on them. Adding the popular game of bingo broadens fundraising efforts to help preserve habitat for ducks and other wildlife.

Foster, who celebrated his 48th birthday on Sunday, April 6, said bingo engages people who might not have a direct connection to hunting or, even, the outdoors but still want to support the cause during an event that so often appeals to a broader audience.

Doors open for the event at 5:30 p.m. with the number calling beginning at 6:30 p.m. There are 10 games scheduled, raffles, food and drinks.

Patrons can buy one card for $50, three cards for $100, nine cards for $200, and a youth card or guest card for $25. The SuperDuck Package is $300 ($350 the night of the event) and it contains nine bingo cards for each game, five chances in the five-gun raffle and three chances for the goose band rifle.

Bingo prize winners can choose from a long list of firearms as well as a dog blind, ammunition, binoculars, etc.

“The real benefit DU has seen is attracting people who don’t normally go to fall banquets. So far, people we’ve got signed up … I don’t know (recognize) the names,” he said. “We’ve got a couple volunteers but the most important thing we want is committee members to come play bingo and not do any work, enjoy themselves. They work hard enough in the fall (banquet).”

Beverages will be provided as well as various appetizers from Dean Love’s new barbecue business called Hot Smokin’ Love, according to Foster.

The wealth manager for Cestia Wealth Management hopes the event attracts 80 to 100 bingo players.

“I think, realistically, we’ll have 40-60  show up. We would love to see 100 people show up and play,” the 13-year veteran DU chairman said.

Much of the money raised by Louisiana DU chapters goes back to the Sportsman’s Paradise, including projects last year totalling $4.8-$4.9 million, according to Dubois. This year, he said, a little more than $20 million is going to state projects, a majority of them along the Gulf Coast, including Phase II of a massive project on Marsh Island. Louisiana DU plans to solicit bids this month and construction is expected to begin this summer on the $3.5-$4 million project there.