Well there are days that you remember and then there is that day you will never forget. I took my 9-year-old, Cohen, on his first duck hunt this morning. See I grew up without a father. I had some great men in my life that took me hunting and stirred up my passion. My grandfather, Pappy, who raised me like his son. My uncle, Tator, who never hunted himself but took me duck hunting on the farm that he worked on, and Mr. Fontenot who was my high school ag teacher who taught me how to call. These men had a profound impact on my life but I always yearned for the father-son hunting time that I never had.
So I planned this hunt meticulously. I woke up 30 minutes earlier than normal and instead of filling the thermos with coffee I made hot chocolate. I packed extra flashlights, hot hands, and my warmest hunting jacket to make sure that his experience was as positive as it could be. Next stop was McDonald's for an egg mc muffin with bacon.
My good hunting buddy, Bobby, was nice enough to take us to one of his places that Cohen and I had helped to build the blind. He helped me set up the decoys then we hunkered down excited to watch the earth wake up. Then 5 minutes after shooting light it happens. Three mallards buzz us but try to land on the other side of the pond. I hit them with a fast comeback call but the front two land. The drake that was following decides he likes the call and the decoys better and swings right in the hole. My boy raises up with his 410 and covers him but he flies off.
He looks at me and says dad what happened did I mess up? I say that's why they call it hunting and not killing. I can see his disappointment. Katy (our lab) is locked on to something at the other side of the pond but I pay no attention because we clearly saw the bird fly off. A Few more ducks come but nothing lands for him to get a shot. After about an hour he says dad I can't feel my toes so we start walking back to the truck. As we walk Katy will not stay at heal so I call her back and she is focused. I send her and she hauls it straight to the other side of the pond and goes in the brush. Before I know it here she comes with his First Duck hanging out of her mouth.
The look on his face was something I will never forget. We celebrated like there was no tomorrow. Then as he was holding his trophy I lost it. I couldn't hold back the tears. The greatest moment of my duck hunting career.
As we are driving home he looks at me and says. So dad we going tomorrow?

Man, thats a great story! My son is also 9. Got his first duck last year, and his first deer this year. And, yes, my eyes were full of tears, also!

You're doing a great job, DAD!!

Tell the young man CONGRATS on getting his first duck!!!

That's what's it's all about getting the kiddos involved congrats to ya!!

Awesome!

Good job, Cohen and Katy!

Open a duck checking account at bank of america for him

Awesome. You get any pics of that boy with his bird?

I got great pictures. Can someone help me with posting them. This is what happens when I upload a photo.

I take my son whos 6 every chance I get. I make it all about him and having fun. He always asks why I don't ever shoot the gun. Aka no birds, but loves going and never hesitates when I ask. One of these time he's gonna experience the craziness of being on the x and I know he will be hooked.

Awesome story. I am having my first baby boy in 2 weeks. I can't wait to take him hunting. Guess we will hunt on his birthday every year!

Awesome

Man what a story! Good job by all.

I pack my 4 yr old and pointer everywhere, this yr we re shooting the decoys w the bb gun. My son loves me he loves his dog and he loves to hunt. Thank you for your write up. Enjoy every minute of your kids, I know I do.

Awesome story. I hope my daughters will join me in a few years.

Wow congrats! I felt the same way with my kiddo this year! Awesome to see people getting there kids involved!

Great write up. Love the stories of first hunts. Remember my son's first duck fondly every time I read someone else's.

Good job Dad!

: clap:
Very touching...I am sure every father must have tears in his eyes..
...Like me, byreading it.

That's great for your son, I think the pooch deserves a can of Alpo tonight for supper!! Wouldn't have happened without him/her

Barny she got better than that. I gave her the heart and liver and pope's nose (butt) of every duck I cleaned from the last 3 hunts.

I sent you a PM yesterday about your pics.

Here are the pictures...

Fooshman thank you for posting these.

Haha! All great but the one in the back of the truck is killer!