THE WATERFOWL ITCH
By Dana Lattery, Fly Fishing Guide & Avid Hunter
Oftentimes, I find myself trying to explain to people why I choose to be a waterfowl hunter. The average hunter doesn’t quite understand the addiction that becomes of one once they take their first bird from the sky.
Addiction can be read in the dictionary as the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity. I like to run with the idea of it being somewhat of a condition.
In furthering my explanation of why we choose this lifestyle, this unrelenting itch, I like to break it down to five main reasons why this condition exists, and why its hold is so captivating.
The Fantasy
There is an improbable tone that is spoken amongst most waterfowlers. Many days of deep “logical” planning go into trying to set up the perfect hunt. There is never any guarantee in a hunting situation but the whole other dimension of travel really adds to the improbability of the hunt coming together.
We sit and stare at fields, trying to pick apart flight paths, weather patterns, feeding patterns, predatorial factors, all while living out this fantasy in our head: the dream that tomorrow morning, it will all come together in the most magical way. Exercising the activity in our minds, thinking of probable outcomes but negating the factors aforementioned. The fantasy lives in our minds much longer than the reality does.
We are always humbled and reminded that the piles of birds are just a bonus compared to all the other benefits that are derived from the hunt. Sunrises and sunsets that no photo ever seems to do justice, birds back pedalling into your decoys, the sounds of wings whistling before legal shooting light, the smell of gunpowder and musty wheat fields and let’s not forget that first sip of coffee, sitting in your blind, waiting for the show to begin.
The Romance
Turn on your favorite orchestra music, lay down beside me, and watch it all happen! Perhaps my favorite phrasing a client has used was: “This is like national geographic on steroids!”
Whatever romance means to you, waterfowl hunting will conjure it for you. Given the fact that we are all straight shooters, the first time you triple, I am sure you will find that romantic. Or perhaps, the feeling will strike you once you’ve reached your limits of birds, sitting in your blinds watching ducks grind you like tornados from the sky, as the sun slowly sets behind the prairie horizon, knowing packing up in the dark sucks, but it’s a small sacrifice for these moments that feed our condition!
The Gear Gluttony
One would think that this would be an enormous downside of the waterfowl addiction, but I beg to differ. There is something so addicting about the never-ending lineup of new gear, new decoys, new gadgets, new blinds, and most importantly new ammo!
It’s so interesting to hear stories of 50-60 years ago when people used to sit over a spread of old tires and do quite well. Fast forward to today, and even within the past 15 years the evolution of realism in the decoys is mind boggling. Not only are we hunting the animals, we are hunting the market for the “perfect” tool for the job.
What I have come to understand through my lifetime of waterfowl hunting, is that it really doesn’t matter what you do—the birds have their own agenda, and that’s that. It won’t stop us for being gluttonous about gear, and always trying to stay ahead of the curve, and I am ok with that. In fact, I kind of like it!
There is something so addicting about getting to see the whites of their eyes, before the words ‘take em’ come bellowing from the blind beside you…
The Intimacy
Have you ever shot a shotgun? Effective range is at 40 yards, but most effective is at 20 yards, and if you’re really good (with the latest ammo, and chokes) you can poke something around 80 yards effectively.
The only thing as intimate as waterfowl hunting is archery, but then again, you have one moment of that intimacy, and not hundreds and hundreds as in waterfowl. There is something so addicting about getting to see the whites of their eyes, before the words ‘take em’ come bellowing from the blind beside you! You can sometimes feel the wind off their wings on your face as they back pedal precariously. There is nothing that gives you the intimacy that hunting waterfowl does.
The Brotherhood
Perhaps one of the most inviting things about waterfowl hunting is the camaraderie spent together in a duck blind.
Ninety percent of the hunt is about what happens between the shots fired, and only ten percent of that is actually hunting. There is a close bond that is formed between friends that share the same condition, the waterfowl addiction. Hunting geese and ducks doesn’t require full time silence like big game hunting does, so it allows for the stories to live on! You’ll think this is just a close contact between humans, but don’t forget about the dogs! I would argue that one of the best parts of this entire obsession is spending quality time with your hunting dog: watching them in their true element while forming an unbreakable bond.
Dana Lattery is a photographer, avid hunter, lover of the great outdoors, and fly fishing guide with Fly Fishing Bow River Outfitters in Alberta, Canada. His commitment to guiding and capturing the experiences of outdoorsmen and women in the fields and streams of our beautiful country has inspired a devoted following on social media. You can keep up with Dana’s adventures on Instagram: @firstcastlastpass or inquire about his services at firstcastlastpass.com or flyfishingbowriver.com