The End of Duck Season
For many folks, duck season ended this past weekend. The end of duck season always brings a mixture of tribulation and jubilation for me. I’ll miss the excitement of ducks turning to the call, and the celebration after the volley of shots rings out. I’ll miss joking with my hunting buddies, sharing experiences with my kids, and strategizing on decoy placement, calling, and when to call the shot. The duck blind breakfast will surely be missed by all as well.
On the other hand, no more 3:30am alarms or sub-freezing walks to the blind. No more staring at blank skies, wondering where the ducks are and why they aren’t working. For a few months, we’re done hauling decoys on our backs, wrestling with motors that sputter, and having disappointing days that started with hope but ended with empty straps.
Sure, Canada goose season is still open for many of us, and the Spring conservation season brings the promise of snow goose tornadoes and piles of birds. But there’s just something different about ducks. They have aerial acrobatics unrivaled by their bigger honking cousins. They respond to calls and come in to the decoys, cutting the air with their wings and making a whistling sound we absolutely love. The ducks have beautiful plumage, with even many hens carrying iridescent feathers that shine in the right angle of sunlight. Ducks are just different, and it’ll be several months before we can chase them again.
As you reflect on the season, don’t reflect too long on the negative. Don’t think about the missed shots, the days you got skunked, or the problems you encountered. Use those as learning opportunities and turn them into positives. Spend more time reflecting on the experiences you’ve gained, the stories you’ve made, and the relationships you’ve deepened. Think back on that one great shot that stands out, or that one group that came in just right with the sunlight such that you could pick out every individual bird’s colors. Sure, tally the birds you’ve taken, but don’t make it the sole measure of success for the season. Duck hunting is about the whole experience. The pile of birds is only a portion of the story.
So, as we head into the “off-season”, let’s all focus on the good in the sport, and what we can do to make it better. As your waders finally get truly dry for the first time in months and you perform post-season maintenance on your boat, set your mind towards who you can recruit to share in your passion next year. Think about the rounds of clays or trap you’ll shoot to improve your shotgunning, or the training regimen for your dog so you won’t lose that crippled duck next year. Plan your offseason call practice, and maybe pick up a new call to try out. How can you change your decoy spread or improve your blind? Will you try a different spot next year?
Before you completely turn your mind off of ducks and onto geese or turkeys, take a moment to go ahead and dream about next season. Next year, maybe you’ll yell “take ‘em” a little louder or focus a little more on the first shot in your three shot volley. The end of duck season brings the realization of how limited our opportunities are to spend time in this great sport. Next season could be your best season ever, and it starts right now.
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