Waterfowl workshop
Capital Electric - November 1, 2011
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Holly Johnson, a range scientist for the Agricultural Research Service and workshop participant, retrieves a bird. She and her husband, Scott, look forward to sharing their passion for waterfowl hunting with their daughter and son, after the kids take hunter safety classes. |
Waterfowl hunters take aim in the Capital Electric service area
Holly Johnson grew up in the land of 10,000 lakes, but never took the opportunity to hunt waterfowl. After she married her husband Scott, an avid duck hunter, he encouraged her to try the sport. She agreed, and figured she'd go once before becoming a hunting widow like countless other women in North Dakota every October.
Turns out, Holly enjoys hunting ducks and geese. A lot.
Scott and Holly, Capital Electric Cooperative members from north Bismarck, slowly outfitted Holly with the necessary clothes and equipment. She's the proud owner of a heavy camouflage jacket, waders and shotgun. But what she lacks — and can't buy — is confidence.
"Whenever I went duck hunting with Scott, I always depended on him. I just want to get to a stage where I can go and be comfortable," she explains.
When the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's "Becoming an Outdoors-Woman" (BOW) program partnered with Delta Waterfowl to host a women's waterfowl workshop, Holly enrolled with her husband's enthusiastic support.
"He was hoping I'd bring home a full limit of geese and ducks. He was all for it," she shares.
On Oct. 1, BOW participants met at the Capital City Gun Club and watched various demonstrations on shotgun and waterfowl hunting safety, waterfowl identification, duck and goose calling, water and field decoys and gear, and shooting clay targets. Then the women practiced and developed their skills.
Scott Terning, director of recruitment and education for Delta Waterfowl, presented the information and encouraged the women to ask questions, network with participants and share their waterfowl "dreams." Various volunteers associated with Delta Waterfowl's Puddle Jumpers Bismarck Chapter also answered questions and helped the women increase their confidence and ability.
"Throughout the entire experience, the women and mentors are totally involved. We want to offer as much guidance as we possibly can throughout the entire experience, and emphasize that hunting can be fun, easy and safe," Terning says.
Going to bed the night before the hunt, Holly says she was filled with anticipation and excitement. The forecast predicted unseasonably warm temperatures, and she felt prepared and in good company. The next morning, her group placed their decoys in the marsh, took their spots and waited for the ducks.
Unfortunately, large flocks were not enticed, and the group only shot a few sporadic drakes and hens. While Holly did bring home a duck, she says the workshop highlight for her was fulfilling her waterfowl dream of becoming a more confident and independent duck hunter.
"I can't wait to take our children duck hunting," she enthuses. "They love the outdoors. They think it's exciting when my husband and I go hunting and bring home ducks. They want to see them, touch them and play with their feet," Holly continues. "And, they love to eat them. It's the follow-through. They think the sport is fun, and they already talk about when they can go."
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To celebrate shooting her first duck, Brittany Fish, an intern with the N.D. Game and Fish Department and workshop participant, prepares to grill a platter of Duck Wraps for the group. |
Terning says waterfowl hunting is growing in popularity among women for a variety of reasons. Some see it as a way of spending time with a significant other, while others may see it as food for the family, or a way to carry on a family tradition while enjoying the great outdoors.
For Brittany Fish, another Capital Electric Cooperative member, hunting is an opportunity to enjoy a challenging sport and expand a family tradition, while appreciating the sights and sounds of autumn. When her alarm went off at 3:30 a.m. on Oct. 2, her husband Daniel nudged her into action. After meeting her group, setting decoys and shoving stubble in her blind, Brittany heard the distant but distinct sound of flapping wings.
"Hearing all the wing beats, that was cool. It took the edge off," she reflects.
Brittany has hunted deer and pheasants with her father and husband before, but while she's appreciated those experiences, she says she's also felt intimidated.
"It's nice to be in an environment where there's no pressure," she says.
During the workshop, Brittany shot two ducks and tag-teamed a goose. After the hunt, she sent a text to her husband, who replied he was jealous of — and thankful for —her workshop experience.
After the hunt, the women met at the N.D. Game and Fish Department to breast or pluck the birds, clean the meat and celebrate the weekend by grilling marinated Duck Wraps.
Thanks to the workshop, Brittany now knows how to hunt and harvest her game. She has a wild game cookbook and says she looks forward to trying some duck and goose recipes.
Terning says mentoring novice hunters like Brittany and Holly, and giving them knowledge, skills and confidence, is a powerful thing.
"To be able to watch someone who is new and fresh to hunting go through all the actions, and know I was able to help them, that's very rewarding. I get goose bumps over that kind of stuff," he reveals. "When they shoot their first duck, when they put on their big smile, when they actually hold that bird, it's a feeling you can't describe."
FOR MORE INFORMATION
• Delta Waterfowl www.deltawaterfowl.org
• N.D. Game and Fish Department http://gf.nd.gov/
• Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program
http://gf.nd.gov/education/instruction/outdoorswoman.html