black lab with mallard and white Duck Hunters Expo logo

Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters Expo Starts Friday — You Won’t Want to Miss It!

Duck hunters from across North America are migrating to Des Moines, Iowa, to celebrate three days of all things waterfowl

BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA — The countdown has begun for the Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters Expo! Just days away, the event taking place July 24-26 is open to the public and guarantees to have something for waterfowlers from all flyways inside the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa. 

Delta’s Duck Hunters Expo presented by HEVI is jam-packed with three days of continuous events presenting excitement, entertainment, expertise, and education on all things duck hunting.

The roster of can’t-miss attractions includes:

  • Opening ribbon-cutting ceremony just inside the front doors of the Iowa Events Center. Join Delta CEO Jason Tharpe on Friday at 11:55 a.m. as he welcomes all to Delta’s fifth annual celebration of ducks and duck hunting. 

  • The Delta Grand National double-reed duck calling contest presented by Drake Waterfowl and Mack’s Prairie Wings begins at noon on Saturday in Meeting Room 101. Compete for cash prizes and the prestigious title of Delta Grand National Champion. Registration opens at 10 a.m.

  • Stop by Delta Waterfowl Hunting Heritage Booth for interactive decoy carving and painting demonstrations. Master decoy makers Pat Gregory and Joshua Brewer will be in Booth 542 throughout all three days of the Expo. You can watch, ask questions, and maybe even help add to the pile of wood chips on the floor.

  • The Waterfowler’s Stage presented by Dirty’s Outerwear hosts seminars on topics including the rhythm of duck calling and tuning your duck calls, dog handling, management techniques to enhance your property to attract waterfowl, and the evolution of waterfowl shotguns.

  • The Field-to-Table Stage presented by Kamado Joe features live cooking demonstrations packed with tasty new ideas and techniques. From gameday snacks to brisket and bourbon, the reverse sear, and different takes on southern coastal grilling, spectators will walk away with tips on cooking all types of meat, including their favorite fowl. 

  • The Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters Expo Exhibit Hall features hundreds of vendors with gear for duck hunters. You’ll see a showcase of top gear, guns, hunts, dog training items, lifestyle clothing, and much more. Everything you could possibly want or need for duck hunting is available, so bring your shopping list.

  • The Champions of Delta Luncheon on Saturday recognizes the outstanding scientists, volunteers, conservationists, and advocates who have done so much to put ducks over your decoys season after season.

  • Friday evening’s Grand Duck Hunters Banquet, presented by ReedsGunsAndAmmo.com, offers live and silent auctions, raffles, and camaraderie in support of waterfowl conservation. The banquet is nearly sold out, so reserve your seat now. If tickets are no longer available, contact Erika Gallaway at 701-222-8857, ext. 5243, to join the waitlist.

    After purchasing a banquet ticket, you’ll also be eligible to buy a $500 pre-event raffle package featuring $750 in banquet raffle tickets, exclusive Delta gear, and a 1-in-100 chance to win a Benelli M2 20-gauge shotgun. Only 100 packages are available. 


There is only one way to get in on the action: Join us in Des Moines!

Show Floor Hours 

Friday: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Delta Waterfowl is The Duck Hunters Organization™, a leading conservation group founded in 1911 that uses science-based solutions to produce ducks, conserve prairie wetlands, and ensure the future of waterfowl hunting in North America. Visit deltawaterfowl.org.

For more information, contact Chris Williams.