LAS VEGAS March 9, 2017 Ducks Unlimiteds 31st annual Ducks in the Desert Las Vegas Continental Shoot wrapped up in late February with 1,090 individual event participants, a new record for the tournament.

Participants from 35 states and two different countries took part in the five-day event at the world-class Clark County Shooting Complex in North Las Vegas. Californias Ben Courtemarche was crowned the High Overall champion for his winning score of 198 in the 200-bird main category.

After 31 years, we are incredibly proud to continue to grow and provide a great event for shooters supporting our conservation mission, said Jim Konkel, chair of DUs National Shooting Committee. This years event was a grand way to usher in Ducks Unlimiteds 80th anniversary. Thank you to all sponsors and participants who continue to make this a premiere shooting competition.

Created in 1986, the Las Vegas Shoot featured more than $75,000 in prizes and included title sponsors Browning Arms, Fiocchi, and the Aliante Hotel + Casino + Spa. Final registration numbers included 456 entries in the main event, 474 entries in the sub-gauge rounds, 265 entries in Five Stand, and 251 entries in the brand-new Super Sporting category.

The 2018 Ducks in the Desert Las Vegas Continental Shoot will take place Feb. 21-25, 2018, with special room rates available at the Aliante (rate code: DUCKS18). Early reservations are advised as rooms fill up quickly. For additional information, visit www.ducks.org/shoot or email shoot@ducks.org.

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 13.8 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information on our work, visit www.ducks.org.