5th Annual Fall Festival "Big Hit" in Modesto
By Bill Mays
WON Field Reporter
Modesto - Waterfowl, big game hunters, and fisherman from all over the North State gathered to participate and join in the festivities of the 5th Annual Fall Festival at the new Auto Life Auto Parts & Sporting Goods Store in Modesto on August 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. For the past 5 years Tom Lucas and Tom Lucas Jr. have been putting on this festival and this year they went bigger and better because of their new location and store with 37,000 square feet.
Special Featured Guests Phil Robertson, "The Duck Man" from Louisiana and Duck Commander Calls, Kelly Haydel, from Louisiana of Haydel Game Calls, Randy Bartz, "The Flagman" from Minnesota the originator of goose flagging, and Mike Reynolds, Bass Fishing Pro from Modesto, were all on hand to give seminars, answer questions, not only on stage but throughout the day walking around the store and giving one on one help with personal questions.
War Eagle Boats, by Team Ward Inc. President, Roger Ward, personally flew out from Arkansas, to be on hand and answer any questions for the first shipment of War Eagle Boats to the only distributorship in California. There were 13 War Eagle Boats on display with all different boat configurations and set up options. I was very impressed with how these boats were set up for fishing and hunting and how they could be used for both. The options are well thought out and in the right places. When talking with Roger Ward, his comment was "Son, my family fishes and hunts and been in the boat business for over 50 years, we know what it takes to build a good boat."
"The Duck Man" Phil Robertson quotes scriptures from the Bible that it’s ok to shoot ducks and eat’em. Robertson was at the Auto Life 5th Annual Fall Festival as a Featured Guest. Robertson is well known for his "Duck Man Videos," and Bayou personality. Photo By JJ Mays |
There were many other vendors and sales representatives for firearms, ammunition, fishing tackle, and organizations like California Waterfowl, California Ducks Unlimited, and California Mule Deer Foundation. There were boats set up with Mud Buddy Fast Grass Blinds, Mud Buddy Back Water Motors, and field blinds by Final Approach were on display. You could get in the blinds and actually see how they are set up and used in the field.
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Phil Robertson, "The Duck Man," well known for his "Duck Man Videos," was a big hit with the crowd. He gave his philosophies on life, his reasons why our bird counts are down, he poked fun at game wardens, and he quoted scriptures from the Bible. One of the questions "The Duck Man" is always asked is why do you kill and eat all those ducks. His reply to them is "According to the "Good Book," the Bible," as he read from the Bible to the crowd, "it says to kill and eat the birds that fly, and as far as I am concerned that was orders from headquarters, the "Commander In Chief," and I am just following orders."
"I’ll stop killing ducks when you stop killing plants," said "The Duck Man." "Man can’t live without eating a living plant or animal, and they haven’t come up with a synthetic food as yet." These were just a few of the "Duck Man’s" philosophies at his seminar.
The "Duck Man" also was behind the gun counter signing autographs for everyone and demonstratating how to use his "Duck Commander Calls" all day Saturday. He was very friendly and personable and everyone seemed to enjoy his humor.
On Friday Kelly Haydel, of "Haydel Game Calls," gave a great duck calling demonstration on how and when to call ducks. He described how a lot of the calling techniques are just how you would talk to people. Haydel said, " if your excited for someone to come over to you, would you talk quietly and softly, or would you sound, excited, loud, and convincing." If you had someone close to you, would you be loud, or would you be soft and quietly speaking. This is like when the ducks are in the decoys, you want to tone down your call, and blow softly but convincing." Hadel was inside the store when not on stage, giving duck calling tips all day, and every day of the 4day event.
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Kelly Haydel - of Hadel Game Calls, demonstrates the art of duck calling on his first trip to the West Coast. Haydel was one of the Featured Guests at the Auto Life 5th Annual Fall Festival in Modesto.
Photo By JJ Mays
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The Flag Man - Randy Bartz from Minnesota on his first trip to the West Coast, was a Featured Guest of the Auto Life 5th Annual Fall Festival. Batrz demonstrates the art of flagging for geese out of a "Final Approach Blind" and how technique and camouflage is important to achieve success. Photo by JJ Mays |
Randy Bartz, "The Flagman," gave an in-depth seminar every day of the festival. Bartz said, "when he first started flagging, it was so successful, he didn’t want any of the other guides to know what he was doing." But in time, the technique eventually got out, and he started teaching flagging. Bartz demonstrated flagging in a "Final Approach Blind" and demonstrated how important it is to have the right camouflage. Randy said, "he had used the Final Approach Blinds in many situations and they worked very well." Bartz also demonstrated goose call techniques, when and how to flag, and goose hunting from A to Z. Bartz also was available every day, all day long, to answer questions and give helpful hints. I myself enjoyed talking to him, and received many helpful tips. This also was Randy’s first trip to the west coast and was excited to show us West Coast Boys how to flag.
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Mike Reynolds, one of the Top Bass Pro's on the West Coast, gave a seminar on Thursday, the first day of the Festival. Mike demonstrated many different fishing techniques, basic structure fishing, and explained how the Delta tides are so important when fishing the Delta. Mike was also available every day of the festival to answer any questions.
California Ducks Unlimited took this special time to award Tom Lucas Sr. the Green Wing Award for his support in the their youth program. As an example of Tom’s support of the youth programs, every year for the Fall Festival Tom and Tom Jr. have an activity for the children at the event. This year they had Ron Pierce supervise the BB gun range for the children to sharpen their shooting skills.
If you’re a waterfowl hunter and can’t find the right camouflage patterns or can’t find the decoy selection or large quantities of decoys, this store had more decoy inventory than any store I’ve ever seen. Tom Lucas and Tom Jr. are both avid duck hunters and their store reflected this in their selection of inventory. If they don’t have it in stock, they know how to get it, and can have it for you in a few days.
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Tom Lucas Sr. - (on the right) receives an award from the California Green Wing Ducks Unlimited for the outstanding support of the youth programs. Photo by Bill Mays
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"All duck hunters want more color in their decoy spread and our store can do just that," said Tom Jr. Bond Decoys are very hard to find, and in this line they have the drakes-only packaging. They are the biggest distributors of decoys in California; so when you can’t find the decoys your looking for, give them a try.
If you are looking for a fully stocked, wide selection of hunting and fishing sporting goods, with highly experienced clerks to answer your questions, or pick an auto part to keep your vehicle in good running order, you can’t go wrong shopping in this new beautiful store. They are located at 901 Carpenter Road, Modesto CA. If you would like to get on the Auto Life mailing list you can do so by calling the toll free number 1-800-499-1004 or stop in at the store location.
Bill Mays - WON field reporter works the publications booth at the 5th Annual Fall Festival signing up new subscribers. Photo by JJ Mays |
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Phil Robertson - well known as "The Duck Man" in his famous videos, when not on stage signed autographs and handed out posters from 9:00 am. To 7:30 pm. Robertson was very personable with everyone and gave pointers on how to use his "Duck Commander Calls." Photo by JJ Mays
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