The annual Roanoke Valley Ducks Unlimited banquet is not just about ducks and duck hunting. It’s about conservation and having a good time, says Kevin Hawkins, district chair.

This year’s banquet will be November 11 at the Kirkwood Adams Community Center. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. Supper will be served at 7 and a live auction will begin at 8.

There are more than 20 items that will auctioned including a camouflage guitar, a cornhole set with a DU print painted on it and one of the more unique items — a handcrafted coffee table made to look like a turkey call.

One of the regional directors met the craftsman and asked if it was possible to get some. “The guy made it from an old house. It works just like a turkey call.”

The Gun of the Year will also be auctioned, this year a Winchester Super X 3 12-gage shotgun.

There will be plenty of rifles and shotguns which can be won through raffles and for $10 guests get tickets spanning the length of their outstretched arms.

A taxidermy display by Scott Harlow will also be featured.

Hawkins said the Roanoke Valley has always been a huge supporter of Ducks Unlimited and for the past three years the event has been a sellout. “We like to think it’s the family atmosphere. There’s a lot of chances to win some great prizes.”

The items just aren’t for duck hunters or hunters. There are coolers, televisions and GPS units. “There’s tree stands and stuff for turkey hunters and duck hunters.”

The money from the banquet stays in North Carolina, Hawkins explained, and is used not only to preserve habitat, but to protect water quality. “Everyone benefits from clean drinking water.”

Money goes for preservation efforts on the Roanoke River and in North Carolina nearly 70,000 acres have been preserved. “There is a lot of habitat protected in the Roanoke River Basin.”

To buy a ticket call Hawkins at 252-532-1051.