Page 96 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2017

SPORTS & OUTDOORS helping the habitat
It’s
Duck Hunting
Season
LONG TIME DUCK HUNTER Tommy Ware proudly displays his favorite species.
considered the opportunity to stand in cold water, in the fading light, in the rain, and replied, “I think instead I’ll just stay home and beat
myself over the head with a hammer.” However, Tommy Ware has been
duck hunting since the tender age of 11. “Of course back then it was sitting in flooded cut-overs shooting wood ducks,” he said. A few years later, he saw the Ducks Unlimited logo and decided to join up never imagining his passion would one day lead him to be the South Alabama/Mississippi regional director of Ducks Unlimited.
Though blue and green-winged Teal is his favorite species, one of the things Ware likes about waterfowl hunting is, “You never know what you’re going to get.”
During the past 20 years, duck hunting has become increasingly more popular and this puts more pressure on the resource. “The habitat is shrinking due to new development and hurricanes which devastate the
marsh lands along the Gulf Coast Region. We need to protect what we have left of the marshes before we reach a point of no return,” Ware says.
Like many hunters, Ware sometimes hunts alone in remote wetland areas which led to a close call on one
hunt. He was wading through waist deep water after hunting teal when
he stepped in a sinkhole and found himself fighting for his life. Only by using his gun to help drag himself through the mud slurry was he able to escape.
“I encourage getting kids involved in the sport, but for this reason
kids should never hunt alone. I also encourage them to take boating and water safety courses,” he said.
This season, we hope to have him on our show, Gulf South Outdoors, pursuing his passion.
Ducks Unlimited is focused on habitat restoration, scientific research, education, and conservation. To learn more, visit their website: www.ducksunlimited.org.
This is the time of year when many outdoorsmen turn their attention to duck hunting. Now, I’m not a duck hunter — let’s get that out in the open right away. The first time I was invited, it was shortly before dark, cold, and raining — perfect duck hunting weather I was told.
story by Frank Wilem
photos courtesy ofITommy Ware
DUCKS UNLIMITED is focused on habitat restoration and conservation.
Frank Wilem owns The Wilem Group which produces television shows including Gulf South Outdoors. Find air time and channel information on their website: www.gulfsouthoutdoors.com.
96 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • November 2017 FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net