Insights - Leaving a Legacy

by Don Young

Most duck hunters grew up in the sport inheriting a piece of their father’s or grandfather’s old hunting gear—a duck call or maybe a canvas hunting coat—and this act of inheritance plays an important role in perpetuating the waterfowling heritage. In my case, it was my father’s canvas shotshell vest and my grandfather’s well-used duck strap.

I can still recall as if it were yesterday transferring paper-hulled shotshells into the loops of that vest as a youngster on the drive to the duck blinds of prairie Saskatchewan. And at the end of those mornings, that duck strap often toted home a heavy bag of barley-fed greenheads. I still have that vest, and indeed, my own sons have worn it. But the duck strap has disappeared, probably during one of our household moves. Those cherished, essential pieces of gear still evoke wonderful memories of days afield with my hunting mentors—flashing wings at first light, and at the end of the morning, admiration of iridescent mallard feathers and discussions about conservation.

We treasure such things because they are pieces of our past that we carry with us into the future. But we must also wonder what memories, dreams, and ideals our children and grandchildren will reflect upon when they one day hold our old duck calls and think back on past hunts with us. What will our waterfowling legacy be? Every generation wants to accomplish more than the one before it, and we have an opportunity to do just that. We can secure the continent’s most important waterfowl habitat and leave a legacy of abundant waterfowl populations for our children and grandchildren. But our window of opportunity is narrow, and in some places, it is beginning to close.

That’s why Ducks Unlimited is undertaking the most ambitious fund-raising campaign in the history of conservation. By supporting Wetlands for Tomorrow through major gifts, attending a DU event this spring, becoming a DU volunteer, or going to the DU website and donating whatever amount you can, you can help us ensure the future of North America’s waterfowl and our waterfowling traditions. And you will ensure that when your grandchildren one day pick up your old hunting gear, they will be filled with pride and hopefully inspiration to become the next generation of waterfowl hunters and conservation leaders.

And speaking of conservation leadership, take some time to read “Fueling the Migration,” the last of a three-feature series on why conservation measures such as CRP and WRP in the Farm Bill are crucial to the life-cycle needs of ducks. DU’s leadership in public policy work both in the United States and in Canada is vital to ensuring waterfowl populations and waterfowl hunting opportunities will be there for your children and grandchildren to enjoy. Stay tuned for ways in which you can help DU achieve these public policy objectives with North America’s farmers and ranchers and elected officials.