Duck Hunting – All good things come to an end.
Closing weekend January 26, 2014
In the blink of an eye another waterfowl season is coming to a close. It goes by so quickly but for us the good news is, as one season closes another one 0pens. While we might be bummed by packing up our decoys, we are anxiously preparing for bait fishing, and the next two hunting seasons. Turkey and Hog.
Closing weekend is a celebration weekend. We’ve all enjoyed another good duck hunting season, spent family time together, bagged some great birds and added plenty of new memories, but most importantly we’ve paid our tribute to Grandpa Pete and his love of the sport.
Dad and I have been married over thirty two years and just a few times a year have “Date Night.” Closing weekend is one of them. We believe in paying it forward and our big night out in Lakeport is the annual Ducks Unlimited Banquet. Mark has been going since the days when just the Good Ole Boys got through the doors. I’ve been going as long as “Ladies” have been allowed, Yes, I said allowed, and the kids since before they can remember.
Ducks Unlimited is a fantastic, worthwhile organization with a Mission Statement of Habitat Conservation. “Filling the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever.” They operate in North America, Canada and Mexico and to date have conserved more than thirteen million acres across North America alone. As Waterfowl enthusiasts, we believe if we’re going to enjoy the sport of waterfowl hunting, then we need to actively participate in conservation for the continuation of one of the seasons we love best. An annual $35.00 membership is a small price to pay to help with wetland and habitat conservation and includes a subscription to their magazine. If you’re not a DU member, we encourage you to log on to their website at www.ducks.org and do your part.
The annual Lakeport DU Banquet is held Saturday night of closing weekend. We wouldn’t miss it even though you have to stand in line to get a good seat. There is a great steak dinner, silent and live auctions and plenty of chances to win big if you invest in the Sportsman’s package. Almost every year the Petersons rake in big by the lucky draw and this year was no different. We always purchase gun raffle tickets. Dad generously gave me first pick of his tickets for two of the gun raffles he entered. What are the chances that I would pick two tickets leaving Dad with both winners? 100 percent. The ticket for the first gun raffle was pulled and Dad won a beautiful Benelli Super Vinci 12 gage shotgun. Ten minutes later, he was the winner of the second drawing with his choice from the “Banner of Guns.” Like I said, 100 %, although I must admit he does share. The Sig Sauer I’ve been wanting was on the Banner. Thanks hon, I’m looking foward to shooting it. All together, the Peterson Family won four excellent guns and had a nice showing in the raffle drawings from each table. We had a fun evening with the family and a lot of our good buddies from up North.
Closing morning produced low numbers but the sunrise was glorious. The evening hunt brought closure to yet another duck hunting season and with it a certain sadness. Fellow duck hunters know the exact feeling. As we pack up and run home, the sadness leaves and the excitement and anticipation begin to build. Tomorrow is opening day of our next season and we can hardly wait!