NATCHEZ — Ducks Unlimited officials from all over North America descended on Natchez this past week for its winter board meeting.

The Natchez Convention Center played host to the organization Thursday through today, and Chairman of the Board Bruce Lewis, a Natchez resident, said the meeting included both American and Canadian officials from the non-profit group.

“The Canadian board met (Saturday) morning, and Ducks Unlimited, Inc., the U.S. branch, met (Saturday) afternoon,” Lewis said.

“Each board meets three times a year. We have our national convention in Dallas during the summer, and we have one in the fall. The winter meeting location moves around from time to time, and we chose to bring it to Natchez this year.”

Lewis said over 200 organization members from all over the place made the trip.

“We have members here from Maine to California, to Washington, to Florida, to Wisconsin to Louisiana,” he said.

And the timing was perfect, with this past weekend being the first weekend for Pilgrimage.

“Most of the members brought their spouses with them, so we’ve had the ladies out touring the homes and seeing lots of different sites in Natchez.

“A good many of them (went) to the pageant (Saturday night). We didn’t plan it as an activity, but we did announce it as an opportunity, and some of them told me they were going.”

Reception to the city has been overwhelming positive amongst the Ducks Unlimited members, Lewis said.

“They absolutely love it, especially the Canadians, who are glad to get out of the snow and be in the South,” Lewis said. “They really enjoy being here. They think our city is beautiful, and they’re correct.”