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Ducks Unlimited Banquet: A Conservation Legacy
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VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — For Talbot Buys, the journey into conservation started long before he ever wore the title of chairman for the Warren County Ducks Unlimited Chapter.
“I grew up attending DU banquets with my dad as a child, always wanting to volunteer one day,” Buys said. “When I returned home from school in 2017, I volunteered with our local chapter and now hold the Chairman title.”
That childhood dream has evolved into a leadership role with one of Mississippi’s most active Ducks Unlimited (DU) chapters. Nationally, the organization leads a continent-wide, science-based effort to conserve waterfowl habitat. Locally, Warren County’s chapter sustains that mission through fundraising, volunteer recruitment and strong community engagement.
Conservation with Local Impact
In recent years, Warren County members have helped fuel major investments in wetlands restoration, including a $1.9 million project at Mahannah Wildlife Management Area that added new wells, pumps and water control structures across 1,800 acres. Known as the Bruce Lewis Greenwing Legacy Dedication, the project is one of several DU-backed efforts ensuring Mississippi’s wetlands remain thriving ecosystems.
Ducks Unlimited’s return on investment is significant. While Mississippi chapters raised $2.8 million last year, more than $3 million was funneled back into conservation work across the state. In the Delta, upcoming projects target wildlife management areas such as Charlie Capps, Muscadine Farms, Morgan Break, Howard Miller, Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge and Delta National Forest.
“Hunting is a huge part of my life and a way that I can enjoy God’s creation along with family and friends,” Buys said. “If it were not for organizations like Ducks Unlimited, we wouldn’t be able to have the enjoyment that we have currently in this great sport.”
A Community of Volunteers
The Warren County Chapter is powered by 24 volunteers, each of whom brings an average of 11 guests and $2,500 in net revenue to the annual banquet. When paired with matching government dollars, each volunteer’s effort can be worth nearly $10,000 in conservation impact.
Located in Vicksburg at the heart of the South Delta, the chapter’s supporters see their dollars at work close to home. That direct connection between fundraising and visible results is what makes the local chapter stand out.
Longtime volunteer Dale Whittington exemplifies that spirit. After helping restart the Warren County Chapter, Whittington now serves as South Delta District Chairman, providing oversight to seven chapters and about 15 yearly events. His leadership has strengthened DU’s footprint across the region.
Banquets: Where Camaraderie Meets Conservation
The Warren County DU banquet has become a staple of the fall calendar. This year’s event will be held Oct. 9 at the Levee Street Warehouse in Vicksburg. Guests can expect a ribeye dinner from Goldie’s Express, drinks, raffles, live and silent auctions, and the chance to win the 2025 Shotgun of the Year: a Beretta A400 Upland 28-gauge.
“The atmosphere at a DU banquet is very laid back, but family friendly,” Buys said. “When you walk in the door you are greeted with a smiling face and the smell of a freshly cooked ribeye. It’s a fun kickoff to duck season that I look forward to each year.”
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when most organizations struggled to maintain momentum, the Warren County Chapter saw record-breaking support. Community loyalty never wavered, proving that conservation and camaraderie are at the heart of the chapter’s mission.
Looking Ahead
Buys hopes the chapter will grow into the largest in Mississippi within the next decade. He emphasizes that Ducks Unlimited is not just for hunters, it’s for anyone who values the outdoors.
“One of the greatest challenges facing conservation today is large-scale development,” Buys said, pointing to a recent success story in North Dakota, where DU helped protect 116 acres from becoming a housing development. “Stories like this remind us why we do the work.”
Since its founding in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 16 million acres of wetlands across North America. In 2023 and 2024, DU topped 1 million acres in a single year, proof of both the urgency and effectiveness of its mission.
How to Get Involved
The Warren County Chapter is actively recruiting new volunteers and members. For those interested, Buys says the first step is simple: show up.
“The best way to get involved is to come to our banquet or send me a message through Facebook,” he said. “Ducks Unlimited relies on dedicated volunteers, and this organization would not be what it is today without the support and commitment of people who step up to make a difference.”
For more information, contact Dale Whittington at (601) 218-0966 or Talbot Buys at (601) 529-9306.
Purchase tickets to this years DU Banquet by following this link, https://ducksunlimited.myeventscenter.com/event/Warren-County-Dinner-Vicksburg-107446
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