By Daniel Dillon

O.K. Join me…here we are…it’s January and it’s cold. It’s dark and a bead of sweat just ran down your chin. You reach for your thermos and you ask your best friend how the spread looks. Perfect he replies. The winds at your back and you send up a quick prayer in hopes that your scouting will yield a reward. You grin at an eager lab and begin to feel that welcomed chill that comes with every sunrise. You yank the stopper out of your favorite call and pop the reed one time just to make sure she’s ready. Here they come…just like clockwork.

Shadowy darters fill the sky and they bank on you with a first glance of uncertainty. You beg em back with a light come back call and the next thing you see is orange feet in your face. Its high fives and handshakes from there. Good dog work is the icing on the cake. You’ve got three in the bag with nine to go and quite honestly, you’d be just fine going home after that magnificent first volley.

Gentlemen that is why we do it. Duck hunting isn’t for everyone and that is for sure. On many of occasions I have answered the simple question of why do I do it? Only a few will understand the explanation of course, and maybe one day I can share a blind with a couple of those fellas. Until then, I will continue to share my passion with all who will lend an ear…especially that ole duck hunter with a kindred spirit in mind.

Being an Area Chairman for Ducks Unlimited in the State of Alabama has truly been a reward. The time spent with a committee built of duck hunting peers is just one of the many benefits. For me, Ducks Unlimited has been an avenue to give back to something that I will forever be in debt to. DU has had a key role in my education of wildlife conservation in addition to holding me accountable as an ethical hunter. This combination is an essential part of the success of DU that I hope all members will benefit from.
Don’t get me wrong, sunrises in a flooded timber hole are special but my involvement with Ducks Unlimited has shed a whole new light on my appreciation of waterfowl.
I firmly believe that if we work hard to educate our generation about the importance of hunting and conservation, our future generations to come will only follow in our footsteps. Until my first child is born, I can only dream of the day when my son or daughter takes his/her first greenhead. Until that day, I plan on doing everything I can to ensure that there might be a few more ducks in the sky for them to choose form. That is why I DU it.– Daniel Dillon

2003 Breeding Ducks by Species (x 1 million)
Species	2002	2003	% Change from 2002
Mallard	7.504	7.950	+6
Gadwall	2.235	2.540	+14
Wigeon	2.334	2.551	+9
Green-winged Teal	2.333	2.678	+15
Blue-winged Teal	4.206	5.518	+31
Shoveler	2.318	3.620	+56
Pintail	1.790	2.558	+43
Redhead	.565	.637	+13
Canvasback	.487	.558	+15
Scaup	3.524	3.734	+6