By Mimi Meyer, For Lone Star Outdoor News
Ten wildlife students from Texas A&M-Kingsville, most on their first duck hunt, arrived at the historic Port Bay Club, Nov. 14. The Lone Star Outdoor News Foundation partnered with the Delta Waterfowl R3 program again this year to get students out in a blind.
The group was lively and excited about the experience. The week before, they had gone out with Aidan Flores, Delta’s Texas R3 coordinator, on a skeet shoot. After that, they all seemed to feel comfortable around the shotguns that were provided for them. The group met for a safety debriefing during dinner and then enjoyed the club for the rest of the evening.
Many of the students had expressed their desire to go duck hunting, but had never found the opportunity or place to go. One student, Christin Moeller, said, “I have a group of friends that go all the time, and somehow, they always seem to forget my invite. I have begged them to go for years.”
She was excited to get out on the water and have some ducks to bring home.
The following morning, the breakfast bell rang early at 4:15 a.m. The group was ready to go, all decked out in their camouflage. Riding on “The Launch,” the boat pulling skiffs into the bay and marsh, in darkness with a rough bay, the boat was quiet with nervous energy. As the Port Bay guides picked up each pair of hunters to go to their designated blind, they all wished each other luck.
During the hunt, the students had a pleny of opportunities to see and shoot various species of ducks. One text from a guide read, “Dang this girl can shoot!”
There were few misses from the group and nearly everyone returned with a duck in hand.
Returning later in the morning, the boat was filled with laughter, stories and a sense of accomplishment. Everyone investigated the various types of ducks that were brought back. In total, the group brought in 32 ducks. Then they huddled around in the “picking house” for a lesson on cleaning ducks and breasting them in preparation to take home.
Andres Rosales shot a beautiful green-winged teal and had already made plans with his mom to get it mounted as his Christmas present this year. He couldn’t wait to get it back home to a taxidermist.
As the group was saying goodbye, many were excited to return home to share their stories and begin looking for their next opportunity to duck hunt again.
A special thanks to Aidan Flores, Professor Bart Ballard, and Tye Green and Jeremy Griffis from Port Bay Hunting and Fishing Club. To learn more about LSONF, visit lsonews.com/lson-foundation. For more information on the Delta Waterfowl, University Program, visit deltawaterfowl.org/deltas-university-hunting-program.
