Making memories out of swamp water and mud

When I was a kid, hunting was still just a simple way of life, and Georgia was still the quail hunting capital of the world. As remote as it seemed we were, there wasn’t many deer or turkey around the old rural route where I grew up.

However, rabbits, squirrels and a variety of other small game were plentiful and the quarry of choice for most of my childhood hunting excursions. The opening day of dove season was always a time-honored occasion steeped in Southern tradition. And then there was the one I looked forward to the most: opening day of duck season.

I remember waking to the smell of grandma cooking breakfast and the chatter of the menfolk strategizing over coffee at the kitchen table. After breakfast, we would all load up and head for the Flint River swamp. Then, by the light of an old Colman lantern, we would gather at the tailgates to make the final preparations. Before daylight, we were all in the designated locations along the river and in the swamp.

As the dark began to transition to daylight, the swamp began to look like an old black and white winter photograph. It was in that magical moment of goose-grey twilight that the swamp would explode with the sound of thundering wings, whistling wood ducks and volleys of gunshots from up and down the river swamp. While it didn’t last long, it was some of the most exhilarating and memorable moments in my young life. Soon, we were all gathered around back at the tailgate with our evening’s meal laid out, sipping coffee poured from the thermos and telling tales of the hunt. Then and now, those are some of my most treasured memories molded out of swamp water and mud.

Today hunting has become a commercialized industry; the quail numbers in Georgia have dwindled; deer and turkey are now common all over the state. And although many things have changed, one thing has remained the same. Because of the conservation efforts of Ducks Unlimited, the time-honored tradition of opening day of duck season has remained a continual part of my family’s fall hunting heritage for more than five decades.

There is good news for Georgia duck hunters in 2024. According to the 2024 Waterfowl Population Survey, there is a 5% increase in the total number of breeding ducks, which is the first increase noted since 2015. Mallard numbers increased by 8%, widgeon numbers increased by 55%, pintail numbers decreased by 11% and wood ducks decreased very little. While these numbers are still below the long-term averages from 1955, they do indicate that the conservation efforts forged by DU are working.

They also indicate we are on the right track and this should be a very good season for Georgia hunters.

According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Migratory Gamebird Biologist Kara Nitschke, “There are no notable changes to the season dates, lengths or bag limits this year.” Those dates include:

Canada Goose: Sept. 2-24; Oct. 7-22; Nov. 18-26; Dec. 9-Jan. 28

September Teal: Sept: 9-24

Youth, Veteran and Active-Duty Military Waterfowl Days: Nov. 11-12

Regular Hunting Season for Ducks: Nov. 18-26; Dec. 9-Jan 28

Remember special license requirements do apply. For a complete summary of migratory bird hunting seasons, dates and bag limits, look online at GeorgiaWildlife.com/migratory-bird-info.

If you aren’t already, I invite you to join Ducks Unlimited. Teach your kids to be responsible stewards of our renewable resources and start your own family tradition of making memories out of swamp water and mud.

Special Photo: Joey ThielSpecial Photo: Joey Thiel