Davis P. Rice Memorial Youth Waterfowl Hunt
February 6, Dyersburg, Tennessee
Davis P. Rice was the son of Tennessee Wildlife Federation board member and former chair, Tom Rice. Davis was an avid outdoorsman and his favorite activity was hunting ducks in northwest Tennessee. Davis died tragically in a car accident in 2007, and his family wanted to find a way to honor him through his love of all things outdoors. That’s how the event came to be in 2008. The Davis P. Rice Memorial Youth Waterfowl Hunt is now considered to be one of the largest youth waterfowl hunts in the United States.
The hunt is by invitation only for youth age 16 and younger. All hunters, chaperones, and blind captains arrive in Dyersburg the Friday before the Saturday hunt. The morning of the hunt, participants meet their blind captains at a pre-arranged location and disperse to their designated blind. The hunt usually lasts from early morning through early afternoon, sometimes longer depending on the movement of ducks. Each blind determines when it’s time to call it a day.
Lodging
Participants are responsible for their own lodging. Tennessee Wildlife Federation recommends these motels in Dyersburg:
What to bring
• Completed and signed Release forms and Health History form
• Shotgun that will shoot steel (IC choke)
• Camouflage and boots (preferably rubber)
• Cold-weather gear like gloves, face masks, long johns, etc. Prepare for wet and cold conditions!
• Junior Sportsman Hunting license (Type 002)
• Migratory Bird Permit (Type 006 or 007)
• Hunter Education card
• Federal Duck stamp is required for youth hunters 16 years of age
Ammunition
Tennessee Wildlife Federation will supply each hunter with two boxes of steel shot shotgun shells specific to each hunter’s firearm. Hunters are encouraged to bring extra shells.
Breakfast and lunch on Saturday will be served in the blind. Your blind will also be supplied with snacks, but bring your own drinks. Some blinds will have heat and some will not, so be prepared and dress warm!
Waterfowl Hunting Resources
Videos for Beginners
Three Duck Calling Techniques for Hunting Mallards
How to Clean a Duck
Waterfowl Hunting Etiquette
How to Get Kicked Out of a Duck Blind
Regulations
Identification
Check out this Tennessee’s Wild Side feature about the 2015 hunt!
Resources
Contacts
J.W. Worthen, Director of Programs: jworthen@tnwf.org
Taylor Martin, Hunting and Fishing Academy Manager: tmartin@tnwf.org
Map and directions to Lannom Center (at the Dyersburg/Dyer County Chamber of Commerce)