The Legacy of "Wild Goose Jack"
Wildlife Officer Darin Abbott's duck hunt led to the discovery of a rare Jack Miner-banded mallard, uncovering the remarkable legacy of "Wild Goose Jack."
Abbott serves Ohio as a wildlife officer, but also enjoys spending time having fun, such as duck hunting, despite the cold and challenging conditions.
As a non-duck hunter, the author finds the dedication required for duck hunting to be peculiar, involving early mornings and harsh weather conditions.
Something about driving to the local — or not so local — hot spot and setting decoys before the sun even thinks about peaking over the horizon just never seemed to excite me like a wade in a trout stream.
Duck hunters often face cold, overcast, wind-driven rainy or snow squalling predawn mornings, making their dedication to the sport notable.
Author's summary: Wildlife Officer Darin Abbott discovers a rare banded mallard.