Tag: hunting

Duck Hunting

By: Cooper Scott

Duck hunting has been my favorite hobby since I was a toddler. The first word I ever said was duck, and I am so grateful that duck hunting has been my family’s tradition for 50 plus years. I remember when I had this Shirt with ducks on the back of the shirt and I used to wear it backwards so I could look at the ducks all day. I went duck hunting for the first time when I was 6 years old, and I shot my first duck when I was 7. I look forward to the opening day of duck season every year, and as soon as duck season is over duck depression sets in. My dad, brother, and I travel all throughout the midwest to go duck hunting. Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Kansas are usually the states we make it too. We usually get three or four trips out west anywhere from 3 to 6 days. We hunt public land so we are constantly battling other hunters to get to the hunting spot so we have to wake up very early or even spend the night sleeping in the spot the night before. Ducks are surprisingly smart so it takes a lot of preparation and hard work to have a successful hunt. First we have to find the spot we are going to hunt, typically a main lake point, an open hole in the woods, or the back of a cove or slough. Then we make sure we can wade the hunting spot and put out anywhere from 40 to 80 duck decoys which is very time consuming. Then we usually cut a few branches or bushes to blind up the hide so we are hidden better from the ducks. Next we have to get our guns, blind bags, and stools out of the boat and set all of this up where we are hunting. Then you have to go and hide the boat pretty far away from where we hunt and cover the boat in burlap until it looks like a big bush. After you do all of this you are waiting for shooting time and enjoy the hunt. Duck hunting will be my favorite hobby as long as I am alive.

Turkey Hunting

By: Cooper Scott

Turkey hunting is one of my favorite hobbies. I enjoy doing it with friends and family and it never gets old. Enjoying God’s creation and getting out in nature will never get old, but the turkey hunting aspect is what has me hooked on it. Out of all of the hunting I do, turkey hunting is definitely the most challenging out of all the hunting I do. I have heard if a turkey could smell that you would never kill a turkey because they are already so smart. They can see so well if you ever get one coming to you, you have to be very still or they will see you. Turkey season is during mating season so a Male turkey (gobbler) is very aggressive during turkey, so I like to use turkey decoys. I have been very fortunate the last 8 years tagging out every season year which is killing three turkeys a season. I have never had the adrenaline rush I have then I do before I am about to shoot a turkey. There are three different species of turkeys in the U.S. An Eastern which is in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia that area. A Merriam which is up north the Dakota’s and around there. An Osceola turkey is in Florida. A Rio Grande turkey is in the west and south west, and they are the biggest turkey. I have never traveled to kill a turkey but I look forward to doing that in the future. One thing that is on my bucket list is to do the grand slam. A grand slam is when you kill all of the types of turkeys in one season. Turkey hunting is slowly getting outlawed year by year. The DNR is making rules after rules every year making turkeys harder to kill because the population is slowly dwindling. This year one of my turkey hunting goals is to shoot a turkey on public land, and this is something I have never done before. I have missed twice on public land, but never shot one. The countdown has begun for April 1st.

Duck Hunting

By: Cooper Scott

I have a lot of hobbies, but I would have to say my favorite one is duck hunting. Most people don’t understand how much hard work and critical thinking goes into duck hunting. There are many factors that have to align to have the perfect hunt: wind direction, cold weather, right water levels, equipment, traveling, and scouting. There is no better feeling when a hard thought out plan comes together for a successful hunt when we all reach the limit. This is one of the reasons why I love duck hunting. Not only do the right factors have to align, but it takes certain qualities to be an avid hunter such as patience, dedication, diligence, awareness, preparedness, and optimism. These are all qualities that make me who I am today.  

Another main reason I love duck hunting is the fellowship. When I duck hunt, it is usually a family affair. I get to spend quality time with my dad, brother, uncle, cousins, and friends doing what we all love. One of my favorite memories of duck hunting is last year when my older brother and I had to hold a spot or “hole” for us to hunt. We woke up at midnight, got in the boat and drove to the spot we were hunting. The land we hunt is public so many other local hunters tried to go to that exact spot, but we were there first. My brother and I bonded in the five degree weather waiting for our fellow hunters to come in the morning to hunt. It was very worth holding the spot because it was one of the best hunts we have ever had. We all killed the limit and I killed my first canvasback. Needless to say, all of our hard work paid off. I have been going out west to duck hunt since I was 8 years old, and I have made so many countless lifelong memories.

Turkey Hunter Tips

By: Jones DesChamps

In the final quarter of the academic year, I have decided to introduce a new series. As the winter concludes and spring approaches, I hope to embark on a new and relevant topic for those interested. As the season starts on March 23rd, many turkey hunters throughout the southeast are impatiently waiting to kill their first long beard. In this quarter’s series, I hope to provide valuable advice and tips to any turkey hunters willing to listen. These bits of information may provide zero help to a more advanced turkey hunter, but these tips serve as the foundation for beginners. Once again, take this with a grain of salt as I am absolutely not a professional hunter or have ever claimed to be one. 

This week’s tip highlights time and place. Obviously, any good hunter wants to beat their prey to its location. So, arriving at your desired destination thirty or forty minutes early is always a good idea. If hunting in the morning, you want to beat the sunrise with plenty of time to spare, such as to walk through the field or woods while it is still dark. If hunting in the afternoon, I really cannot provide much help. Turkeys can show up at any time or place, so beating a gobbler to its spot becomes a little more difficult. 

You must remember that no matter where you are or when you arrive there, you want to limit your movement. Turkeys can detect the slightest movement, so it is necessary to camouflage yourself in either a blind or behind some sort of brush. Trees and logs can be very helpful in providing support for your back, as you may be stuck in a certain spot or position for a long period of time. If you were to need to adjust your position, generally, it is best to shuffle around while you are calling. This can somewhat hide the sounds of your movement, or even further disguise it as a bird. Obviously, if hunting on public land, you need to be aware of your surroundings, so as not to alarm or disturb any other hunters. Remember, when in doubt, use common sense to avoid being heard or seen. Turkeys have a sharp eye and an open ear at all times, so beware of every movement. 

So there it is. This week’s tip is simple. Arrive earlier than you think. Use common sense. Be quiet. Limit movement. Be disguised. Be one with the turkeys.