The Drill by W.S. Allen

A man, a dog and a bumper.

As the white rubber tube flies effortlessly through the thick Texas air his muscles constrict and his focus and dedication are clearly visible. I give the command "mark," without hesitation the rubber tube captures our attention. At the moment of impact through eyes clear and dedicated, out of respect more than guidance, he considers my expression. His goals are well defined, to please first and to capture second.

He's not confused as we walk in a direction different than the path gravity dictated for the rubber bumper. He's done this countless times, effortlessly and with an air of familiarity we wander a hundred yards away. Our ambling gate mask the concentration felt by both as we plan the next few seconds over and over in our minds. His attention at odds between me and the small rubber tube pinned to the earth by forces unseen a hundred yards away.

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Kicking Butt Decoy: Exclusive Discount for Junkies!

Member Special: For a limited time, Ure-a-Duck decoys is offering Duck Junkies members their exclusive Kicking Butt decoy at cost!

The Kicking Butt decoy is a unique Duck Decoy. No other Duck Decoy in the world looks more like a feeding Duck. The motion of this duck decoy is up to you. With a pull of the string this Duck Decoy comes to life.

This Feeding decoy can be subtle with just a few ripples or you can make it feed and throw water over a whole decoy spread. It is an UNSINKABLE FOAM Decoy. Feet attach by just a push into the foam body ( for permanent attachment, just super glue wire). Easy to use and Brings the ducks in close. Ducks respond to Motion on the water and this Duck Decoy makes the natural motion on the water unsurpassed by any other duck decoy.

Kicking Butt Features:

(CLICK HERE TO READ MORE and GET THE DISCOUNT!)

(Deal ends June 20th or when supplies run out.)

Budget Boat Blind

Can you add a custom blind to your boat for under $50?

Yes! You can add a cheap custom scissor blind to your boat and summer is the time! Read on and I will walk you through how I added a blind to my 12' duck boat for only $35.00.


I started off by going to Home Depot and getting 4 sections of ½" by 10' conduit. I did not have a conduit bender so a little bit of asking I got the guys there to bend 2 pieces of conduit at 6 inches from each end to 90 degrees. This would form the top of the blind.
I then grabbed the rest of the items needed to finish my project.

Items needed:

• 4- 10', 1/2" aluminum conduit @ $2.99 each (2 bent 90 degrees 6 inches from each end)
• 1 pack of 4 straight conduit connectors 1/2" @ $1.99/ pack
• 4- 2 ½" bolts with nuts @ $1.50
• 4- ¾" bolts with nuts @ $0.89
• 2- coder pins 2" long @ $1.00/each
• 1- 2' section of 90 degree aluminum with holes punched through @ $3.50
• Blind cover (you can use what you' dlike but I used camo burlap and twin that I already had)

Tools needed:

• Drill
• Jig saw


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The Truth About Reclaimed Mine Ground

The Pros of Coal Surface Mining Reclamation Efforts

Mining inevitably disturbs land. Modern mines reclaim the surface during and after mining is completed, returning the land to useful purposes. The reclaimed mine lands are usually more attractive to wildlife and human uses than before mining started.

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3 King's

“You do know that’s a Drake Can, right?”

Growing up, one of my favorite classes in high school was "History" taught by Mr. Bedford. In Pennsylvania, just north of Pittsburgh, history was all around me with Civil War fields, The Erie Canal, George Washington camp sites and French Creek. I was always fascinated with how things began and the stories that could be told by them.

Even though I grew up about 45 miles south of Lake Erie, I’d never been waterfowling as a kid. My father owned a small outdoor store called “Murphy’s Rod & Gun” in Meadville, Pa. I can remember as a kid hunting deer, rabbit and squirrel, but never waterfowl. No clue why, as a half mile away from the house I grew up in was Woodcock Lake. I’d always see duck’s and geese on the lake while bass fishing as a boy during the hot humid summer’s and remember a few duck blinds along the old road that ran near it.

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Garrett Norsten; Minnesota Youth Staff

April 2011 Featured Team Member

Garrett Norsten - Youth Staff

-What is your favorite part of fowl hunting?
Answer: My favorite part of fowl hunting is being with friends and family!
It is alot of fun to be with my friends. I really like how peaceful it is when during the sunrise.
-What is your strongest hunting quality?


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FREE Youth Waterfowl Clinic!

THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, JUNE 25TH!

Duck Junkies Tennessee Youth Field Day Registration Form Now Available Online!

Children ages 6 to 17 may attend at Montgomery County Shooting Complex in Southside, Tennessee Register early and attend FREE!

(Exhibitor and Sponsor spots available! To become an Exhibitor, Sponsor or Volunteer, click here.)

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What is Wetland Conservation?

What You Need to Know About Wetland Conservation

SOURCE: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Sources/links for reference number found in this article can be viewed directly through the Wikipedia link above.
Wetland Conservation, as implied by its name, is a subdivision of conservation focusing on waterways, standing water, and the land around them, usually including swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas. Wetlands have become a focal issue for conservation due to their biological production, ability to filter and store water, mitigate flood damages, importance in providing habitat and food for waterfowl, as well as the many other species they host. From economic importance, to aesthetics, the reasons for protecting wetlands have become quite numerous over the past several decades.  READ MORE

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Update: Waterfowlers Prepare Special Gift for Deployed Soldier

Heather Carver

Update: Deployed Soldier Returns Home...To Some Hard News

You may all remember the story we featured here about 'Waterfowlers Prepare a Special Gift For Deployed Soldier and His Daughter".

SSgt. James Bent returned home his 7th deployment on February 15. SSgt.Bent and Waterfowling friend KY Pro Staff Michael Carver will be featured on the new Lifetime TV series 'Coming Home'. His emotional trip home to his wife and four daughters also came with some hard news.

In the previous article we told you about Jim's daughter, Abby, who was mauled by a labrador retriever at a young age. Mike's dog, Reload or "Pooh", was to provide a puppy to Jim to help his daughter overcome her fears and Pooh is a dog Jim trusted. The original breeding in the fall of 2010 didn't take so we would have to wait on spring.

Exactly one week before SSgt.Bent was to return... Pooh got sick. He took some bites of food and had trouble breathing.

Mike rushed Pooh to the vet that had been treating him for only mild laryngeal paralysis. Pooh had been having small episodes but nothing like this. Mike administered oxygen to the dog on the twenty minute drive... with no improvement.

The vet tried everything to help Pooh overcome his episode... and Pooh struggled to get any oxygen. With his heart overworked, and his body exhausted...Pooh was getting worse. The vet advised that there was nothing else that could be done and it was only a matter of time, now.

With a teary eyed vet, an emotionally exhausted Mike, and even a crying vet tech.... Mike told the vet to give Pooh the shot so that he wouldn't suffer anymore. I left for the vet myself but I didn't make it... but I was home when Mike came home to lay Pooh down. We buried him at the corner of the field with some mallard curls...

Pooh touched the lives of so many people including SSgt.Bent. It was hard for Jim and for us not to be able to give him a puppy from the one dog that he completely trusted. Pooh's original mate will be bred to another dog in the spring and we'll get 2nd pick of the litter but no dog will ever replace Pooh not for us or for Jim.

Pooh was about to turn 11 in March. He hunted for 9 years. He retrieved his final two ducks on Thanksgiving Day 2010.

In memory of Reload. February 9, 2011

I'm going to miss my buddy...

(You can click the photo for a link to a video of pictures to the song "Duck Blind")

Ducks Unlimited Voices Strong Opposition to Massive Federal Conservation Spending Cuts

Chris Manka Conservation Awareness

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Feb. 14, 2011 – Ducks Unlimited, along with other conservation organizations, is opposing proposed spending cuts in conservation programs released this week by the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee. The cuts would affect wetlands conservation to the tune of nearly $2 billion, including the loss of $47 million in funding for North American Wetlands Conservation Act grants. The proposed cuts would eliminate all NAWCA funding and also eliminate the match for a total loss of $200 million in habitat work.

"The cuts being proposed could imperil waterfowl populations and the future of the waterfowl hunting tradition in America," said DU CEO Dale Hall. "What's being proposed by the House Appropriations Committee will cripple conservation efforts as we know them," Hall said. "Elimination of NAWCA, an 81% reduction of acquisition for refuges and seriously reducing many other programs so vital to our mission are things DU strongly opposes."

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