First Official Duck — Sans Souci Outfitters in Windsor, North Carolina

January 8th and 9th.

Two mornings. One earned bird.

This hunt was with Brad Ward of Sans Souci Outfitters and Moana Sportfishing—and it wasn’t a typical one.

Brad doesn’t usually run duck hunts. His focus is elsewhere. But because I’ve worked extensively alongside him, helping bring the excitement and joy of offshore fishing to life through his charter, Moana Sportfishing, he made the call to make this a special occasion—to put me in the woods and get me my first official duck.

January 8th wasn’t dead—it just wasn’t mine.

Birds worked the area early. Ducks came in and moved through like they should. The guys were able to put three on the water, but I never fired a shot. Sometimes that’s how it goes. You stay disciplined, stay ready, and accept that not every opportunity is yours to take.

No frustration. Just unfinished business.

Instead of running it back the same way, Brad made the decision to pivot on the 9th. New spot. New setup. A calculated risk.

That decision mattered.

The swamp outside Windsor was settled and quiet that morning. Flooded timber. Cold water. Wood ducks talking low, slipping through the trees the way they do when they feel comfortable. No rush. No wasted movement.

When the moment came, there was no hesitation.

Clean shot. Clean retrieve. No question whose bird it was.

A drake wood duck—mine.

That first duck wasn’t about numbers or limits. It was about patience, restraint, and trust—trust in the land, the conditions, and the man calling the shots. This hunt wasn’t standard, and it wasn’t expected. It was earned.

Some firsts don’t need hype.

They just need to be earned.

That one was.

I will always be thankful to Mr. Ward for putting me on my first official duck.

Stay tuned as I plan to post about the bob cat hunt we went on later that day!