Al

Good morning, All~


Truly a sad and thoroughly unexpected loss.


Al Hansen was one of those on this site who many of us got to know via the interwebs - and had hoped to someday spend time with in person. Susan and I visited friends and relatives in Arizona a year or so ago - our first time in the Southwest. I checked out Al's spot in next-door New Mexico on Google Maps - thinking, maybe next trip we'll find a way to get over there.... I imagined hearing tales of Wisconsin and Alaska and maybe being swarmed by Hummingbirds at his feeders.



Early in my years here on this site, Al asked me to make a single (New) Mexican Duck for him. I used one of my last pieces of Wiley Cork for the task - so it could be scorched and oiled instead of painted, just like a Black Duck. I added more paint than I do on Blacks to get some of the Anas diazi style.



Hansen New Mexican Duck - oiled.JPG



At the time - another duckboats.net luminary - Steve Sutton introduced me to the term "tobacco lips". Whereas I had probably lectured on about the "critical need" to paint that thin black demarcation between face and bill on Black Duck stool, Steve explained that it is all but absent in this species.


Mexican Duck II.jpg



Al sent me two things. First, proof that my Drake was hard at work on the Rio Grande....along with some Herter's Model 72s - and some sort of misbegotten lawn ornament that found its way into the riverbed???



New Mexican Duck - Al Hansen.jpg



Then a wonderful Steve Steffy duck call (sorry, no photo handy) arrived in my mailbox. The latter now has special meaning. Al Hansen will always remain one of the many rich gifts that duckboats.net has given us.



All the best,


SJS





 
Al had some great stories and experiences in the backcountry and up in Alaska.

His love for time in the blind and for his many great dogs was something that I really enjoyed reading about.

Rest in Peace Al.
 
Sad to hear this. Haven't been on here in a long time, but remember his posts well...always loved his perspective of hunting ducks in the desert.

Prayers for his family and peace to him.
 
I never met Al except for here on and via a few PM's, but he was a sweet soul and kindred spirit. He'll be missed.
 
VERY sad news. Al and I enjoyed talking about our hummers. Another hurtful reminder of my age and that everyday is a blessing. Prayers to his family tonight and will be thinking of him when the hummers return to northern Michigan in May!
Steve
 
Wow! This is sad news. Al and I met up once while I was on a business trip and we kept in regular touch. I knew he had been nursing Bev back to health from her fall last spring and taking care of 3 litters of puppies. He was supposed to have cornea surgery yesterday as well. Quite a handful for a guy just about to turn 82. I hope Bev has some help because I am not sure how she can cope with 3 puppy litters and her injuries from the fall.

I koved Al's stories and his pictures of hummingbirds and flowers. He was a remarkable man. His Dall sheep and brown bear hunts were great stories and his photos of his New Mexico duck hunts. He will be missed.
 
Al's son in law contacted me to ask if I knew anyone looking for a puppy. I said I would post his contact info if any of you are interested. Email- wamichlig@charter.net cell 715-899-0065. You can check out the pups on Al's website which is mentioned above but again "enchanteddesertlabs.org.
Thanks
 
I am very saddened by this. As my wife would say... he was one of my internet boy friends ...lol. I never met him in person... but a friend non the less...

I think I may need to leave this site after 20 so.e years... I don't think I can handle losing more of these friends....

I will miss you
Al
 
I completely understand how you feel.
As with any close-knit long-lasting community, we lose friends along the way. Too many friends.
Its got to be one of the toughest parts of life and getting older.
 

I stopped counting after 52 guys I hunted and fished with in my lifetime past....

We go on for them, and to honor them. Each time we go outdoors doing what we love we carry them with us. At times it is very difficult but we must carry on.


my 2 cents
 
Really sad to hear of this. Al's photos and stories always did a great job of taking my mind away to the Southwest, imagining what waterfowling in that arid land must be like--far different from the other regions of US where I have hunted. In a couple PM's back-and-forth Al was always kind and of course a wealth of information. RIP Friend...
 
Been off the site for awhile and I log in and see this news. So very sad. Two people from this site, born in Ortonville MN, both teachers, and both great men have passed on. Tom Scholberg and Al are up above us swapping duck hunting stories and playing with their many fur babies.

Always appreciated Al's posts and his messages over the years. RIP Al, you are missed.

Mark
 
Oh man....That is not what I was hoping to find here at all. Al will definitely be missed on this site, thanks for the heads up Robin.
Our thoughts go out to Bev and his family, he will be sorely missed here. He was a great guy with lots of stories to tell. Always loved hearing about his exploits from back in the day.

Steve
 
So sorry to hear of his passing.
Loved to see his photos and read his stories. He was always so encouraging and helpful with his photography advice.
We shared an interest in pigeons and just the other day I wondered about him when I was messing with mine. I'm so glad I logged in and saw this post.
RIP Al, you were a very good man.
Tim
 
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