Duck hunting and starting Senior year

Going into my Senior year at Bethel University, so much is on my mind. Graduation is certainly a big accomplishment and goal, plus, of course, competing full-time as a pro fisherman. But right now I am thankful for school break and hunting season. Working as a duck guide allows me to earn money to support my living expenses, school expenses and tournament fishing costs.

As the season is ending and Tournament fishing is starting, I wanted to personally thank all my clients for giving me a great season. Everyone of you is a part of my success in school, in the blind and on the fishing tour. Without your support I couldn’t travel and pre-fish prior to tournaments.

I look forward to next season, shoving out of Parker’s Outfitting located on the World Famous Reelfoot Lake, back hunkered down in a duck blind with a group of hunting enthusiasts ready to bag a limit of Mallards. You have to love the sport as work begins at 4:30 am in all kinds of weather Monday through Friday, but the big reward is clients enjoying the waters of Reelfoot, the Cypress stumps and seeing a flow of Mallards being called in by the sound of my duck call, a steady rhythm of a clean, crisp quacks talking the birds into coming closer within our range.

My clients and friends come from all over America to West Tennessee, and many are repeats from previous seasons. I try to provide something good to eat for those early morning outings. Once the ducks start making their way in everyone only has an appetite for the hunt. Always remember to hunt responsibility and legally and never overharvest our waterfowl.

For now, I’m pulling my spread of decoys, hanging up my waders and heading south to Lake Seminole with my fishing partner for the Yeti FLW College Southern Conference opener.