Duck Dynasty made duck hunting look like a family-bonding adventure. But what they didn’t show is just how brutal the job can really be. From crack-of-dawn treks to mastering migration patterns, the real-life grind behind the Robertson family’s success is far tougher than the show let on.
Premiering in 2012, the series introduced viewers to the world of duck hunting. The show focused on the Robertson family and their multi-million-dollar business, Duck Commander. It’s not surprising, then, that the most important part of the show was the family’s passion for the trade, despite how hectic it was at times. Phil Robertson and his sons would wake up at the crack of dawn, trek for hours to reach their hunting spots, and wait for the perfect shot.
Phil in particular, was a master of the craft who made sure that his sons were familiar with migration patterns and duck calls before they even hit their teenage years. More than that, though, he taught them how to respect the land that they lived on. As heartwarming as all of that was to witness on the show, duck hunting is easily one of the most difficult jobs one can pursue. The business requires a careful balance of timing, precision, and patience. So would you have what it takes to be a duck hunter without the cameras?
The Paperwork Comes Before Everything Else
There’s no denying that the Robertsons make it all look effortless, but becoming a duck hunter requires more than just passion. The first step includes getting your paperwork in order and going through a checklist of legal requirements. First you need a state hunting license and waterfowl license, both of which require extensive knowledge of federal regulations and completing a hunter safety course.
Then, hunters need a Federal Duck Stamp, which isn’t just about permission. Most of the money from Duck Stamp sales actually goes toward preserving the wetlands to ensure that ducks, geese, and other species continue to thrive in the ecosystem. Any individual carrying the stamp is also essentially pledging to hunt responsibly, rather than doing it for the thrill of the sport. The hunters have to obtain permission from the landowners if they want to hunt on private property. In this case, they also have to ensure that they leave the space just as they found it once they are done hunting for the day.
Once a hunter obtains all the licenses and permissions … it’s time to get to work and collect all your equipment. A few essentials include a 12-gauge shotgun, non-toxic shot, chest waders, and camouflage gear to allow the hunters to blend into their environment. Not to mention the decoys, which are plastic ducks you scatter across the water to help lure the real birds in.
Duck Calls Are More Important Than One Might Think
Duck calls, which might seem like silly little toys on the show, are actually essential to any successful hunt. Each call mimics a specific duck sound with the goal of convincing the birds that it’s safe to land. However, a seasoned hunter knows exactly when to use each call because a call too soon or too loud can send the ducks flying in the opposite direction. Thanks to Phil and his years of hunting ducks, the Robertsons have perfected the duck call, which means that they have addressed the most difficult part of the hunt. Don’t be fooled because mastering duck calls requires years of trial and error and a sense of the birds’ behavior. Of course, this kind of instinct only comes with years of experience and practice. So, duck hunting is definitely not a skill you can rush.
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Another great way to understand the science behind duck hunting, such as spotting a change in the birds’ flight behavior or how to master the art of silence as you wait for the perfect shot, is by watching the veterans try their hand at it. The U.S. has tons of local hunting clubs across states, where beginners can go and learn the unspoken rules of the swamp. This kind of firsthand experience and observation is the only way to familiarize yourself with the reality of the job, outside all the textbooks and YouTube videos.
Patience Is the Key to Success in the World of Duck Hunting
But all of that is just technical because duck hunting is about much more than pricey gear and flawless duck calls. Scouting potential hunting locations is another layer of the process. While the Robertsons might know the swamp like the back of their hand, it doesn’t come as naturally to others, especially first-timers. Scouting might take hours, and sometimes even days, as new hunters silently observe duck movements and wind patterns.
There’s no way you can learn all this from a course. This kind of familiarity with land and nature only comes when you spend time in the great outdoors. The only problem with Duck Dynasty’s portrayal of the sport is that the show doesn’t portray the reality of the job, which includes all the failed hunts that hunters go through before they finally get it right. The Robertsons might make it look like duck hunting requires a hoard of equipment, but they didn’t start there either.
Duck Dynasty: The Revival is currently airing on A&E.