Duck Dog Stage at Delta Waterfowl EXPO Presented by Eukanuba and Lucky Duck

Top experts to speak on training your retriever, hunting with multiple dogs, nutrition, and more at The Duck Hunters EXPO

For Immediate Release
June 21, 2023

BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA — The Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters EXPO will take place July 28-30 in Little Rock, Arkansas, featuring three continuous stages and an 80,000-square-foot show floor packed with vendors. The Duck Dog Stage, the Duck Hunters Stage, and the Delta Waterfowl Stage will showcase a collection of top experts in the waterfowl industry.

Eukanuba and Lucky Duck are once again sponsoring the Duck Dog Stage, where expert trainers and their incredible dogs will inform and entertain Delta supporters in attendance.

“We are excited to continue to support the work of this leading waterfowl conservation group as they leverage decades worth of research to maximize duck production efforts,” said Brad Wadler, vice president of marketing for Eukanuba. “It is through value-grounded partnerships like Delta Waterfowl that together we can create more opportunities for active dogs and owners to bond over a shared pursuit.”

The lineup for the Eukanuba/Lucky Duck Duck Dog Stage includes:

Josh Miller – River Stone Kennels

Josh Miller is the owner of River Stone Kennels in New Richmond, Wisconsin where he trains retrievers and, alongside his wife Whitney, breeds British Labradors. Josh is also the owner of Retriever Roadmap, the online program that helps guide you in training your own dog at home.

Chris Akin – Webb Footed Kennels

Chris Akin has trained more than 3,800 dogs over four decades, evolving his training program into one of the most accomplished hunt test programs in the country. Since opening Webb Footed Kennels, his program has produced more than 350 Hunting Retriever Champions, 175 Master Hunters, and 80 Grand Hunting Retriever Champions. Akin’s personal titles include two Super Retriever Series Championships and an ESPN Great Outdoor Games Gold Medal.

Brad Arington – Mossy Pond Retrievers

Mossy Pond Retrievers was developed in 2003 by Georgia native, Brad Arington. Over the years, Mossy Pond Retrievers has expanded to its current size of 130 dogs in training, where he has earned hundreds of Master Passes, many QAA titles, SRS wins, and has placed a number of dogs on the National Derby List. When not running dogs across the country, you’ll find Arington at his Mossy Pond Lodge, filming episodes for The Fowl Life television show.

Lee Howard – Mossy Pond Retrievers

Lee Howard, a native of Pierce County, Georgia, is the manager of Mossy Pond Retrievers. Beginning his training career in 2008 with Brad Arington, he has seen it grow to a kennel of 130 dogs in training. Howard has obtained hundreds of AKC Master Passes, a large number of Master National Passes, as well as several SRS wins and placements.

“Lucky Duck is proud to be a sponsor of the Duck Dog Stage and continue our emphatic support of Delta Waterfowl and their mission,” said Sean Weaver, marketing manager for Lucky Duck Premium Decoys. “The Duck Dog Stage presenters are world class experts that exhibit the value of dog and man’s relationship to conservation, the history and future of hunting, and R3. We’re excited to see the Duck Dog Stage be a fan-favorite once again at the Duck Hunters Expo.”

The schedule for the Duck Dog Stage can be found on the event website, showcasing informative seminars covering topics including “A Gun Dog’s First Season,” “Training Your Retriever,” “Hunting With Multiple Dogs,” a panel Q and A, and more.

“The Duck Dog Stage ties together sportsmen and women around one of the most fulfilling parts of our sport,” said Brad Heidel, senior director of marketing for Delta Waterfowl. “We are thrilled to be backed by exceptional stage sponsors and bring such a talented and passionate group of experts to share their invaluable wealth of knowledge with the Delta crowds.”

The Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters EXPO is presented by Federal Premium Ammunition. Among its many attractions, the EXPO features the World Championship Cutdown Duck Calling Contest, the Delta Waterfowl Callmakers Championship, decoy carving demonstrations, and much more. There is also a duck dog parade for all to enjoy. Get your tickets now!

Delta Waterfowl is The Duck Hunters Organization, a leading conservation group working to produce ducks and secure the future of waterfowl hunting in North America. Visit deltawaterfowl.org.

For more information, contact Brad Heidel at (651) 403-1772 or bheidel@deltawaterfowl.org.