State of Duck Hunting

[tica-tica]

I'm 49 and have loved duck hunting for 40 years. The best thing I ever did was scrape together enough $'s to go in with a group I enjoy hunting with and buy a small piece of property. Just a place to go unharrassed is worth its weight in gold. I can't handle much public hunting anymore. I hunted on public ground one time this year and had two kids that looked like they were 12 years old tell me I was to close and 'cutting them off' when I was set up over 500 yards away from them. They looked like they opened the Mack's catalog and bought everything in it brand new.

Funny how you don't hear many of those "take a kid hunting" plugs on TV anymore. I would say there is enough of us to love the sport to death right now.

[hntrpat1]

I'm 49 and have loved duck hunting for 40 years. The best thing I ever did was scrape together enough $'s to go in with a group I enjoy hunting with and buy a small piece of property. Just a place to go unharrassed is worth its weight in gold. I can't handle much public hunting anymore. I hunted on public ground one time this year and had two kids that looked like they were 12 years old tell me I was to close and 'cutting them off' when I was set up over 500 yards away from them. They looked like they opened the Mack's catalog and bought everything in it brand new.

Funny how you don't hear many of those "take a kid hunting" plugs on TV anymore. I would say there is enough of us to love the sport to death right now.

BAM!

[Anatidae]

Duck hunting remains the same for me after 35 years - 'Just gotta take the tough times with the good.

What others adopt these days in the way of theories, techniques, equipment, self-promotion, persona, etc.......is irrelevant (to me).

It's always been between me and the duck....although I am growing more aware of what it takes for me to get out there, now.

I'm lucky to have found a few folks (including my main hunting partner - my wife) that are like-minded in their approach to and appreciation for our waterfowling heritage. I'll continue to focus my energies on time spent with 'them' (and others that demonstrate a genuine respect for the sport) rather than fretting over changes in social trends in 'pop' culture. It's pretty easy to spot those that are self-oriented.........and easier to decide if you want to subscribe to, or ignore it.

Happy Hunting!

[crow]

Randy, I'm a lot like you, except I don't hunt nearly as much anymore as you do! Wish I did!

It all began to change the first day someone decided to make the sport a primary means of making money. Don't get me wrong, I am making no value judgements either way, just saying that is when it started to change as a whole. When someone invented a camoflage pattern and thought it would be good for duck hunters, what did they do...they started a tv show to showcase their product in the environment they wanted to sell..in this case, duck hunting. When a farmer realized they could take an off time of year and make money for the family through leases...it changed more. And I say good on them...I have too many family member who farm to get upset about that. When someone decided they could take someone duck hunting and charge a guide fee...it started to change. Hey, folks got to make a living, so I will not blame them. All these things changed duck hunting and made it more of a competitive entity than it used to be. I remember many times thinking that I sure wished some more folks were hunting on land around me to keep the ducks up. Haven't had THAT thought in a while! Has the sport as a whole changed...probably...especially tools, techniques, and available resources. Way more water, but way fewer quality acres per hunter than there was just a decade ago, much less 50 years ago when I started! Yeah, I know, y'all can't think I am posibly that old, be this cool, and still be this much of a man! Just accept it and move on!

The one thing that hasn't changed and will never change is the way a real duck hunter feels about a duck and duck hunting...just like Randy said. Those that don't feel that way and drop out of the sport were never duck hunters in the first place...they were just folks who occasionally went and shot ducks. I have my own idea of what a "real" duck hunter is...heck, I just look in the mirror! And I'm sure y'all do, too.

Has it changed...well, duh...yeah! For the better or the worse? Now, as Billy Shakespeare said, "That is the question!"

By the way, if any of you want to see the myth, the legend, crow hisself...I will be back in the south delta in a week or so for a week or two. Hope to catch up with some of you then and share an adult beverage and a meal.

crow

[the tree]

Like so many things, money "kinda" soiled a very special outdoor activity. What use to be pretty basic has become somewhat complicated. IMO only real negative is the amount of pressure the birds face. But, as long as cupped wings make that sound, tomorrow's weather might include an artic blast and falling ducks make a splash, all duck hunters should be thankful the "Ding" Darling's of our world.

[Northbigmuddy]

I ran into a guy who was claiming the duck commander was the most well respected duck slayer of all time. I chatted him up for a bit asking him if he knew who Nash Buckingham was. Neither of us would budge. Some folks like the poo face extreme hunting and some like the more old school gentleman hunting. I have enjoyed the privilege of not having to deal with the yahoos and hope things will continue that way. To say one way or the other is the right way isn't really the point IMO. I think it's more about what you do with what you've got. I don't care if your a douche or a deep pocketed club guy. If you have some class and respect for others then rock on. I've seen people across the entire spectrum act like complete brats so go figure.

[Mike Perry]

The influx of high numbers of new participants (notice I did not say hunters) had been discussed to death on many forums. This is one of the more intelligent discourses.
I can’t believe that it took to the second page in Randy’s response for some one to use the word “respect”. That is what is missing in the new “duck commanders” we are seeing these days.
I have been guiding for several years for commercial lodges and the last 5-6 have made it harder and harder to sign up for next year. I took 2012 off from guiding and just hunted for myself. What a pleasant fall and winter.
A lot of my clients have been middle aged professional people who have entertained clients and family because they could afford to do so and wanted a quality experience. I really enjoy those groups.
But I have had a few that maybe by coincidence are younger and are just all about the numbers. I had one guy 2 years ago that was an invited guest of the person who organized the hunt that was just obnoxious. He had a $10 duck call that sounded terrible. Insisted on blowing it loud and constantly with no clue to timing or inflection, was a terrible shot, claimed every bird and just an booty to be around. One AM we had a great hunt, got our full limits on ducks and geese so we got the afternoon off. At lunch he said “What are we doing this afternoon? I just want to kill something!!!” If this is what the future holds for waterfowling, I am glad I only have about 10 years left.
I am guiding again next year, but on a limited basis and only with selected clients that I know are sportsman, not just numbers guys. Don’t get me wrong, I like the limit days as much as anyone, but there has to be some respect for the game and the sport.
The waterfowl are a limited resource. I can think of no good reason to be mass marketing the idea that we need to bring in more and more hunters. The families that have hunting as a culture would have been enough to keep it going along with the conservation groups like DU and Delta, but I am afraid the genie is out of the bottle now.

[rebelduckaholic]

I hunt a lease, have a filson, own 7 that's right 7 mojos, have bout 300 deekes, 2 jerk strings, and I even blow a duck call really loud.

With all that said I do not use more than I have too. Also I would rather not use a call cause that means you hit the x.

35 been hunting exclusively ducks since 15. Am I traditional no but I learned to call and hunt ducks on my own. Yea my dad got me started but with his back surgeries I had to learn more own my own. So by gosh I do it my way the rebelduckaholic way

[Jeff]

I guess I haven't been too affected by the Newbies. I am a big traditionalist I guess but not afraid to use a mojo.

Of course I am not completely traditional either as tradition for me would be hunting over corn and shooting 50+ ducks/person/hunt, and then going back and doing the same that afternoon if the fish weren't biting. So to make a long story short I'll take a mix of the two.

[tica-tica]

many talk about "respect" but waterfowling in this country started with a lack of respect for the birds. No limits and sold to market. I think the lack of respect now is more between hunters than the game they hunt.

[sab316]

Geez. Some of y'all are just as bad as kids flaunting their "cool" gear that y'all are bad mouthing.

So if you own some Drake gear or a mojo you aren't a duck hunter?

If you don't hunt in some canvas waders with newspaper around your feet to keep them warm you aren't a duck hunter?

I own Drake gear. Is it because its "cool"? No I bought it before it got "cool" and it works. I can't afford a $300 Filson jacket, but I can afford a $80 Drake pullover to keep me just as dry. I also own a Under Armour shirt. Holy shat. And guess what... Everything y'all wear... Was new at some point. So get off your high horse.

Also I hunt with a big group. I have a large family and we all love hunting together and being outside together. We like spending time together, and getting on some good hunts. And pretty consistently do, on public and private land. But since we hunt with a big group, I guess that means we are the downfall of duck hunting.

I'm 23 and I've been hunting since before I could drive. I've pieced together my gear along the way. Scrapped my money together to buy shells. Been hunting in 30 degree weather and rain when I didn't have a lick of waterproof clothing. And been very fortunate to have some great hunts others would die to go on. I'm not cocky... I'm not arrogant. I'm anything but those. It's frustrating though to see y'all bashing on my generation for hunting, for buying better gear than what you had available.

Do you still drive your same car from the 70's or watch your first TV set? Same principle. Everything is evolving.

[hillhunter]

I guess I haven't been too affected by the Newbies. I am a big traditionalist I guess but not afraid to use a mojo.

Of course I am not completely traditional either as tradition for me would be hunting over corn and shooting 50+ ducks/person/hunt, and then going back and doing the same that afternoon if the fish weren't biting. So to make a long story short I'll take a mix of the two.

Yea, I have been reading some of Buckingham's stories lately and was surprised at the self imposed "limits" they put on themselves. Most common number I remember is 50 ducks per day. All I can say is WOW. Imagine four people going out and getting their limits in a morning. You would really have to be on the X. If most of those guys had to go at it our way I bet they would not go as much and scoff at the idea of going out just to shoot 6 ducks. Buckingham seems like the kind of guy who would go at it anyway just to be part of the outdoors, as he was one of the leaders in conservation for our sport. I know that plenty of you hunted before steel shot and probably saw people drop out with the ban of lead. The progression of the sport has been interesting since 1900, and not so interesting since 2000.

[hillhunter]

sab316, I dont think its as much about the equipment as it is this....

many talk about "respect" but waterfowling in this country started with a lack of respect for the birds. No limits and sold to market. I think the lack of respect now is more between hunters than the game they hunt.

Im pretty much like you, just a little older. Never had the cash to spend on some of those high dollar jackets and such.

[GreenheadJim]

sab316, I dont think its as much about the equipment as it is this....

many talk about "respect" but waterfowling in this country started with a lack of respect for the birds. No limits and sold to market. I think the lack of respect now is more between hunters than the game they hunt.

Im pretty much like you, just a little older. Never had the cash to spend on some of those high dollar jackets and such.

I think that with the youth today (including your age group sab316) there is absolutely no respect for the sport, the people around the sport and the laws of the sport. I have been hunting for 30 years and have seen a decline of respect over the last 10 years.

It's bad when you watch a bunch of college kids come and set up on you and sky blast and kill there limit, but do not leave. They keep shooting and culling ducks. They stuff them in stumps or leave them floating. They need to learn how to kill the limit and get the heck out. Someone needs to do something about what all is going on in the world of duck hunting. I swear that if this keeps up, I'm going to bust someone in the mouth.

Sorry for the rant.............................

[jdbuckshot]

i haven't seen another duck hunter in 2 seasons.

i mostly hunt alone any more, i do a little duck scouting/deer hunting,

when i do hunt (bout a dozen times) i enjoy it so much more.

i learned that the every weekend duck hunter is a money wasting idiot.

its much cheaper / funner to stay home and deer hunt than to go and sit in a duck hole and shoot nothing.


A very well respected duck guide told me this once " The best duck hunters know when NOT to go duck hunting"

i kill less ducks, but i kill alot more limits. i mostly hunt smaller holes in areas with less birds, and also with less pressure, and i usually paint my face to



just because somebody does it different than you doesn't make your way better.