Interview With The Downeast Duck Hunter Pt.2

The following is the conclusion of my interview with Tony, The Downeast Duck Hunter.



When you interviewed me you shared with your readers that you have 2 young girls. How do you feel about them continuing the tradition of hunting and have they expressed an interest in following in your footsteps? If so, do you know how you will introduce them to the sport?

My two beauties are my life and I would love to have them participate in my world of hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. My oldest is a learning experience, she loves the outdoors whether it be on the lobster boat, hiking in the woods looking for buck and doe sign, ice fishing, or freshwater fishing. However, I've also found that she has a sense of remorse for the animals I take. Most usually we release the fish and I must be very sensitive about how I present my take. On one occasion, she nicknamed a black duck “Cutie” so Cutie was processed after she went to bed. On any account, she's in my back pocket and most recently we scoped out the ducks that have congregated locally since the big freeze & the end of puddle ducking. She's got a knack for this, how far she goes with it, we'll see. No matter what, I will support her in any decision concerning a future participation in the sport.

My youngest I believe, will be first in line for anything outdoors. But she is only two and it's hard to do the same with her as I do my oldest. She does get excited when she sees deer on the television, or on my deer cam.

Both girls will soon be getting their life long hunting and fishing licenses. For $500, both will be able to take this opportunity with them wherever they go and I must say this is one of the few good things about our state government.

Most of us who hunt dream of a once in a lifetime hunt, what is your dream hunt ?

I've been on enough moose hunts for anybody, after drawing tags in 2000, 2003, and 2007 I'll let someone else have a crack.

Deer hunting has become something I do and usually expect to get one every year, so pursuing another big buck doesn't seem so attractive.

Sea duck hunting for many is a dream come true, but it is my way of life and something I've become adept at. I spend days taking friends out and leaving my gun in the case, I enjoy watching people fall in love with what I do. Take them out once and I've got partners for life, my duck hunting black book is full.

So my dream hunt, it would have to be either a caribou or elk hunt with some great friends, good guides and plenty of time without worrying about what's going on at home. I have often thought about jumping on a caribou hunt with some friends, but the timing has always been bad.

My duck hunting dream hunt would be in the prairie pothole region in Arkansas, Louisiana or Mississippi. I watch those guys on the outdoor channel calling those green heads in through the flooded timber and then the shotguns absolutely roar. You covet what you don't have, and even though I have wonderful sea duck hunting, I often wish for a duck hunting road trip with some great friends.

How has blogging affected your hunting, if at all? And in what direction do you see The Downeast Duck Hunter blog moving towards?

Blogging changed my world, not only recording a visual log that allows input from people all over the world, but much rather a reason to be more considerate of the finer details of my hunt. My father keeps a fine hunting journal, but I'm not quite as dedicated. Most of my hunts this year were put on the blog, plus practicing better outdoors writing in order to eventually publish a book has become something I'm serious about.

By having my blog, I have connected with people that otherwise would have never had the chance to meet me. Our world is changing, someone like me as a traditionalist has become a visible “enemy” of others. I'm a living, breathing man who loves his country, family, and way of life. So when I work hard to make our country better and find dissent in how I play, the blogging network gives me people who share my attitudes, beliefs, and passion for the outdoors. For each and every person who has commented positively on my blog and for those blogs who I have commented on, thank you for letting me be a part of something very special. Little did I know that a blog would help define who I am.

Thank you for your time and sharing your thoughts. Is there anything else you would like to share with my readers?

I need to let your readers know that my biggest supporter in all my endeavors is my lovely wife. Often she is excluded from my blog, too often I write about my adventures and it's important for everybody to know that my greatest adventure is the one I share with her and my two girls. I want your base to know that I am a maker, not a taker and want the very best for our country and world. It has been difficult to be a conservative thinker in times that are changing, but I appreciate a great dialogue and will never dismiss an opinion as useless.

I aspire to be a great representative for our tradition and encourage anyone to browse through my pages and drop me a line, even if it is to invite me to visit your blog.

Finally, I would like to thank Terry for becoming such a great friend over these unique online means. There will be a day when I'll get her to Maine, make her tired of shooting eiders, stuffed full of lobsters, and get to see the sunrise before any other person in America.


I want to add that in my eyes too, Tony has also become a friend over the past several months. I have thoroughly enjoyed tossing ideas back and forth about types of watercraft, decoys, ground blinds and much, much more. I look forward to continuing this conversation and hope that someday, I too can hunt Eiders, Scoters and the other varieties of sea ducks of the historical, Atlantic Flyway. Lastly I want to thank Tony for sharing his commitment and passion for waterfowling, his insights, experience and integrity. It would be an honor to share a hunt with such a gentleman.

Women's Hunting Journal Integrity For The Hunt