2007 Youth Waterfowl Day

Like always, our hunting crew had been anxiously awaiting this year’s Youth Waterfowl Day on September 22nd. Word of our annual hunt spread around the neighborhood and lots of folks were interested in attending. At 4:00am, eleven hunters (5 kids and 6 adults) piled into the trucks and headed for our spot near Geneva Swamp in Crawford County. For this trip, we were fortunate to have access to a private parcel of land along a small creek not far from the swamp.

We set out a bunch of floating decoys in the creek channel including woodies, teal, mallards, and a few geese.

We arrived at our destination before dawn and began the chores of setting out the decoys and getting all of the youngsters positioned in makeshift blinds along the creek. This took a good deal of time, but somehow, we were all situated just as the sky began brightening in the east. The anticipation was at its peak, and I’m not sure who was more excited, the kids or the grown-ups!

The girls get ready as a flock of ducks approaches on the horizon; Four wood ducks glide over the treetops.

Soon we heard a distant volley of shotguns from the adjacent swamp. And like we’d hoped, a flock of ducks appeared above the trees headed in our direction. The ducks’ course along the creek and our decoys guided them straight to our hiding spot. At our signal, the kids opened fire and the ducks flared into the streamside timber unscathed. A great deal of chatter and giggling ensued.

Buck is new to duck calling, but what he lacks in ability, he makes up with enthusiasm; Morgan looks unimpressed, either by Buck’s calling or me taking her picture.

More flocks were on the horizon, and the youngsters reloaded as the veteran hunters did some calling. Another group of ducks descended on our spread, and this time, the young hunters were on the mark as they sent two splashing into the creek. We retrieved the colorful pair of drake woodies and congratulated the successful wingshooters.

Brittany and Garret show off some nice wood ducks they harvested; Sara seems pretty content at her post overlooking the water.

At this point, it will be helpful for me to explain to the readers that our hunting gang is notorious for practical jokes and engaging in a variety of mischievous antics. And much to his dismay, Chuck always seems to be the target of our pranks. You see, Chuck has been known to nod off on more than a few hunting trips, and this one was no exception. So, it didn’t go unnoticed to the rest of the crew that he had fallen asleep while precariously perched on his folding stool. A few loud quacks in his ear from AJ on a mallard call were enough to topple him from the stool and sent him rolling into the cockle burrs. After he picked himself up amid our hysterical laughter, he promptly sent the stool sailing into the creek. It was then that he noticed I’d been filming the entire event. I have to give him credit for being a good sport, but he spent the rest of the morning firmly seated on the ground so it couldn’t happen again.

AJ treats Chuck to a rude awakening from a mallard call; Chuck sends his folding stool into the creek.

All jokes aside, the kids enjoyed an excellent morning of wingshooting, and I know the older hunters took pleasure in seeing the youngsters experience their first duck hunt. Some lasting memories were made, and I’ve already had several inquiries about the opening of the regular duck season in a couple of weeks. I’m looking forward to another waterfowl outing and hope everyone will be able to join me. Although I’ll be able to carry my shotgun on our next trip, I won’t mind if I spend most of my time retrieving ducks for the junior hunters and watching them slingin’ steel. Good luck waterfowlers!

Our hunting party for the Youth Waterfowl Day (from left to right) included me, Chuck, Sara, Jake, Samantha, Buck, Morgan, AJ, Brittany, Kurt, and Garret.