Top 8 Reasons You Should be Talking about Missouri Duck Hunting

We have all had the discussion…”What is your favorite thing to do?” Well, my answer is always, “duck hunting.” I can’t tell you how many times I have received funny looks from my friends, only to have them ask me a million questions about why I love Missouri duck hunting so much. Of course, this usually leads to the question, “Can I go next time?”

Since most of you don’t have the pleasure of sitting down with me around a tasty roasted goose and some chilly beers, I figured I would put together some of the top reasons that not only I, but also the tens of thousands of hunters in the United States and Canada, have fallen in love with this sport.

1.  Exercise – I don’t golf, I don’t run, I don’t ride a bike, but I can hike through the wetlands, set up a bunch of decoys, and hunt all day long. Everyone needs to get outdoors to stretch their legs and get some fresh air in their lungs and for me, this is the best way to do it.
2.  Getting Dirty – don’t ever underestimate how good it feels to simply get dirty. What was your favorite thing to do as a kid? For most of us, it was playing on the beach or some tackle football on a rainy day. Were you ever that happy? I can guarantee you that somewhere deep down inside, you long to roll around in the mud again. In addition, just think of how proud you will be after a long day in the muck when you pull up in your pickup truck all covered in mud while the neighbors are stuck outside mowing their lawns!
3. Putting Food on the Table – believe it or not, there was a time when you could not walk into a grocery store and buy what you needed for dinner. Hunting and putting your kill on the table goes back to our caveman instincts to provide for our family. Moreover, it will save you a LOT of money in grocery bills.
4.  Turn Off the Video Games – what the hell is wrong with kids these days? They would rather sit inside playing video games than being outside playing ball! Not anymore. Take the youngsters out in the wild and teach them to hunt and shoot. Video games can’t compare to the real thing. It will not only get them out of the house, it will also teach them responsibility. Not only that, but dad and/or mom get to spend some real quality time with the kids with no “modern” distractions. This really is a win/win for parents.
5. Helping Nature – many people simply do not understand how much hunters actually help local habitats. Every year, millions of dollars are raised through fees and excise taxes. The funds raised are used to help preserve these wetland areas and improve them.
6.  Fun with Your Dog – getting out and playing around with the dog is great, but do you really think he or she is challenged by fetching a tennis ball? Take your dog on a Missouri hunting trip and watch his or her tail wag like never before when a duck is retrieved from 50 yards out. It is also a great form of exercise for the dog and really allows the dog to do what he or she was meant to do…hunt!
7. Self Confidence – everyone needs something to be good at. I happen to be very good at duck hunting and I, along with many others, allow the confidence gained in the fields to pour into hunters everyday life. If you see a hunter walking around with my chest out on a Monday morning and acting a little cocky, it is probably because they bagged a limit over the weekend.
8. Relaxation with Friends – one of the truly enjoyable moments of Missouri duck hunting is that morning lull between set up and when the birds first start to fly. You open up the thermos, unwrap the breakfast sandwich, and just enjoy some “bull” time with your buddies. Nothing gets any better!