Posted by Mike McKenzie on February 20, 2002 at 12:19 p.m.:
Life long duck hunter - well since I was 11. Born and reared in north central Missouri. Had the great fortune to grow up on land bordering MDC's Fountain Grove Wildlife Area, an area known back in the 60's as being one of the best places in the Midwest to hunt Canada geese. Nowadays the old family farm is part of FG. If you look at a map of FG, the Emerson tracts, Big and Little Parson, as well as McKenzie Marsh - all of which used to be our farm.
Our family was dirt poor and flilthy rich all at the same time. Having +/-500 acres to roam and hunt from the time I was a boy probably explains why I ended up with a degree in biology and a passion for hunting ducks especially. If we could scrape up enough $ for a box of shells I was in business!
I have lived in Missouri, Iowa, the Netherlands and now Ohio. I recently bought 80 acres of WRP marsh a few miles away from some of my family still in Missouri. I am in the process of setting up this place to really bring in the ducks (well/pump/food plots/blinds, etc.) and this pastime is in line with my "if I am not hunting ducks, I am thinking about hunting ducks" mentality.
I have a 9-month old yellow lab that loves to train and hunt. I eagerly anticipate the Fall and the approach of another waterfowl season with her. I am more of a duck blind kind of hunter than from a duck boat. However living in SW Ohio, one must adapt. Very few real waterfowl hunting opportunities in this region - certainly more demand than supply so one has to be flexible and hunt outta boats of all types. Hope to someday in the not too distant future relocate back to MO so I can better enjoy the best reason in the world to be alive - yep huntin' those duckies!
I lurk on occasion this webpage, and enjoy most of the topics. I may have a few questions from time to time, and will gladly add my $0.02's worth if I see something I can share/add.
If anybody has a lead on some good hunting in SW Ohio region - I'd be happy to trade some hunts back in MO that will not disappoint!
"Give a man a duck and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to duck hunt and his wife will hate you forever!"
Anon.
Mac