Annual Wild Game Feed
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely does a week go by without someone asking me several important questions
about the Annual Wild Game Feed at Irvine Lake. I’m always glad to provide
answers as I can, but my time is heavily pressured with many projects, so I
thought I would create a list of the most frequently asked questions along with
my answers based on about twenty-five years of attending this event.
This list will not answer every question you may have, nor do I have the answers to every question you may have, but this is a start. Also, you can always email me at fineleatherart@yahoo.com and I will do my best to get you pointed in the right direction.
David
How
do I get a ticket?
This
has always been a bit of a problem since you have to know someone who attends
the Feed. Tickets aren't generally available to those who haven't
attended before, but everyone who has attended in the past is mailed a ticket
order form. Fortunately they accept copies of the order form to purchase
the tickets, so if you know someone who has been to the Feed, try to get a copy
of their form. But probably the best
way is to snail-mail your info to: Annual Wild Game Feed, 4790 Irvine Blvd.,
Ste 105 #317, Irvine, CA 92620. It doesn't hurt to do both.
When
do the order forms arrive?
Usually
about the last two weeks of May or the first two weeks of June. I always
panic if they are later than June 1, but the forms usually (usually, there are
exceptions) seem to arrive during this time frame.
How
late can I wait to order my tickets?
You
can’t wait. The day you get your order form, order your tickets.
There are a limited number of tickets available each year and they sell out
quickly. Quickly! Every year many men contact me looking for
tickets after they sell out, but I can do nothing to help. (Think:
Sold out by the end of June. Probably earlier.) Also, please note, I do not have tickets for sale at any
time.
What
if I lose my ticket?
If
you get a ticket don’t lose it and you won’t have a problem getting in (unless
you forget to bring it). However, the Gate Keepers have a master
list of ticket purchasers just to cover this problem, but you must have your
I.D. with you.
What
do I bring?
The
short answer is ‘yourself and your ticket.’ After that everything is
optional. I always bring a pop-up shelter, table, chairs, a mug for beer,
cigars with cutter and lighter, hat, sunglasses, real knife fork and spoon (I
hate plastic), dental floss and toothpicks, and a few other incidentals (t.p.
because they always run out, bottle opener because someone always hands me a
bottled beer, etc.). Remember, everything you bring is something more to
keep track of. A checklist helps.
(I wrote about my own checklist in September, 2016. It’s a place to start for ideas on how to
make your own list.)
What
if it rains?
If
a little water worries you, then bring a towel. The Feed goes on come
rain or shine.
Do
they run out of food? I paid a lot for my ticket, and I
want to know there is plenty to eat.
There
is Way Too Much to eat. Guaranteed. They may run short on an
appetizer or two, but they will not run out of food. And just when you
are stuffed to the point you can’t eat any more, dinner will be served.
Is
it really all you can drink Beer?
Yes.
Or soda, or water, or wine. Beverage choice is up to you, but they will
not run out. Just drink responsibly. As a side note, I’ve rarely
witnessed anyone who’s consumed too much beer. I know it happens, but everyone
knows they have to drive home after it is over. I repeat, just drink responsibly.
Why
are the tickets so expensive?
You
get what you pay for. This is simply the biggest and best wild game feed
I’ve ever attended (and I have attended many). As stated above, they
don’t run out of food or beverage. And the monies raised support a number
of worthy charities.
What
do they serve?
The
menu is never exactly the same from year to year, but during the years I’ve
attended the menu has included buffalo ribs, quail, game hen, salmon, roasted
pig, halibut, wild game chili, frog legs, calamari, Cajun gumbo, alligator,
reindeer hotdogs, crawfish, game sausages, clams, and turkey nuts—that’s just
appetizers. Dinner has included elk, caribou, musk ox, antelope, venison,
buffalo, boar, duck, pheasant, chucker, albacore, wahoo, sea bass, yellowtail,
dorado (Mahi Mahi), and ostrich. That's not everything by any
means. There is always much more. In case you are wondering, it’s
all from commercial vendors. California tightly regulates the sale and
consumption of game meats, so nothing is hunted and brought to the Feed.
Anything
else to do?
Oh,
yeah! There are raffle drawings for some unbelievable prizes. Every
year there are a few super prizes and a grand prize or two. Big screen
tv’s, motorcycles, trucks, cars, rifles, shotguns, champion breed puppy,
fishing equipment, camping equipment, optics. I don’t know what they will
have from year to year, but there will be some great stuff, and a lot of it.
Bring a few extra dollars to buy in. Also, there are exhibits and games
worthy of any outdoorsman.
Can
I buy raffle tickets ahead of time?
The
earliest time to purchase the raffle tickets is the morning of the event while
waiting in line (a good reason to get there early). General raffle
tickets and special raffle tickets will be available from AWGF member ticket
sellers throughout the day.
Where is it?
A
map is on your order form. In 2021 the Feed moved to Oak Canyon Park at
Irvine Lake. Again, a map is on your order form.
When
is it?
The
Annual Wild Game Feed is the 3rd Friday in September each
year. The gates are open from 12 noon to 7pm, but I always arrive early
to be near the front of the queue. I used to show up about 10am and be
first in line, but now I show up about 7 to 8am and expect to be a bit farther
back in line. Some people show up about 1pm and are able to walk right
in, but they have to park a long distance away. I like being early.
Can
I buy cigars there?
I
get this a lot. Yes. Cigars are always available at a special table
and at good prices, but I always bring my own plus a few extras to trade
around.
Can
I bring my wife/girlfriend?
This
is a stag event. Men only. 21 years old and over. No
exceptions.
Can
I bring my dog?
I wish. But please don’t bring your dog. This is not a dog park.
Can I bring my Rifles/Guns?
NO!!!
Is
there a place to sit down and eat?
There
is a covered patio area with picnic tables. It fills up fast, so I
recommend bringing at least a chair. A table and shelter are also nice,
but many opt for just a chair. A few even sit on the ground, but the next
year they bring a chair.
Where
can I meet you?
I
don’t really understand why people want to meet me, but then again I want to
meet you, so I guess it’s the same thing. I work at the entry
booth. If I’m not there, I’m usually nearby, or getting something to eat,
and I’ll be back soon.
What
if I don’t know anyone there?
Believe me, this is not a problem. At the Feed friends are easy to make. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you are, at the Feed, everyone is equal and a friend. I used to go to this all by myself, but I never ate or drank alone unless I chose to do so.
Can I get a refund if I can’t attend?
I
don’t believe refunds are given; however, there is usually no problem finding
someone who will want to buy your ticket from you. Please, no scalping.
Can
I bring my own beer and cigars?
Many
people bring their own pleasures. I am partial to cider and usually bring
some with me. Of course, this means bringing an ice chest (more stuff to
haul around), but I also use the ice chest to pack up some food to bring
home. I mentioned above I bring my own cigars. The price for cigars
at the Feed is very reasonable, but I bring my own anyway.
Is
there camping available?
Not
at the Feed itself, but I’ve been told there is a campground somewhere nearby. I’ve never verified this, so do your homework on the area.
Can
I bring my R.V. and camp overnight?
You
cannot camp (tent or R.V.) overnight at the Feed, but you can bring your
R.V. Just remember, parking can be cramped and an R.V. might be a
difficult thing to maneuver.
Does anyone carpool? Can I get there by bus?
Can I take a taxi (Uber/Lyft) there?
A large number of guys share a ride.
Several even have their wives drop them off and pick them up later (the same as
having a designated driver). I’ve even known some guys who hired a limo
and paid for the driver to attend (but he wasn’t allowed to drink—again it’s
the designated driver thing). Uber and Lyft have become popular forms of
transportation for the Feed. There is even a designated drop-off spot for
them. The bus thing may be a problem. You would need to check the
bus routes and schedules in the area, but even so, there would be a hike
involved from the main highway to the park.
Is there cell phone service?
Sometimes. It is
best to assume cell phone service will be minimal, if at all. I understand they are trying to improve the
situation, but right now, do not depend upon it. Try to make necessary phone calls or arrangements ahead of arrival at the Feed.
How
early can I get there?
At
least wait until the sun is up. You cannot spend the night there, but
nothing says you can’t arrive very early. Many guys make a party out of
waiting in line.
What
time does it start?
The
gates open at 12 noon. The gate crew does everything they can to have
everyone inside and eating in about 30 minutes or so.
What should I wear?
I
don’t know of any clothing rules, but please wear some. Remember, 1) it
could be hot, 2) it could be cold, 3) it could be cloudy, 4) it could be rainy,
5) it could be windy, 6) it could be bright sunshine, and that’s all on the
same day. I wear jeans, long-sleeved outdoorsman’s shirt, shoes, hat, and
sunglasses. Some wear shorts and t-shirts, I’ve even seen mountain man
furs. My opinion is one should dress in removable layers with a light
jacket or windbreaker in reserve. Mostly, dress comfortably, and expect
to add a layer or two of beer, barbeque sauce, or some other food
dribble. And don’t forget the sunscreen.
If
I need to leave, can I come back in?
Why
would you want to leave? I cannot even begin to comprehend this.
But if you must leave, there is no problem with re-entry as long as you are
still wearing your wristband. It is put on you as proof you purchased a
ticket, and it should not be removed until the event is over.
What
if a friend wants to come along at the last minute? / I waited too long to
order my ticket.
This
is always a tough one. No tickets are sold at the gate; however,
sometimes a person will have an extra ticket for sale from a friend who
couldn’t make it at the last minute. And sometimes they don’t have
one. I’ve seen extras available on Craig’s list and a couple of other
bulletin boards, but these are not to be counted on. The best thing is
for that person to buy a ticket when the forms come out. Next best thing
is to scour the internet for one. Or I’ve seen people score a ticket at
the Feed itself from someone in line with an extra. Good luck. If
you don’t get a ticket when they are first made available, it’s almost impossible
to find one.
Where
does all the money go?
I’m
not privy to the financial details of the AWGF, but they do make some things
public knowledge. They (the AWGF) tell us up front on the ticket order
form some of the charities receiving help from the organization. I’m sure
this is carefully monitored. The AWGF is a Not for Profit corporation,
and as such must report their charitable contributions as well as all sources
of income. Logic also dictates where some of the money goes. They
rent the park for the event. Insurance, licenses, equipment, and food
must all be paid for ahead of time. This is a very simplified expense
list, but don’t forget, this is also an organization of volunteers donating
their time, energy, and resources in order to maximize the funds given to many
worthy causes.
Are
you going to bring Quail Eggs again this year?
I
believe those days are over. My health has been in decline for a number
of years, and I no longer have the strength or stamina it takes to perform the
task of preparing, flavoring, and pickling the eggs. Sorry. I wish
I could have better news about this. If anyone wants to give it a try
(and absorb the costs involved), I’ll be happy to show them how it’s done.
If
you still have a question just write to me. My email address is listed
near the top of the page.
See you at the Feed!
David
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