Hours before they arrive at the office or the boardroom, neatly groomed and likely sporting a dark suit, white shirt and conservative tie, many executives in Arkansas have been dressed for success in a far different manner. They’ve risen long before dawn, pulled on their favorite camo bibs, jackets and waders and headed for a duck blind armed with a shotgun, duck call and decoys.
You want examples of excitement, enthusiasm and obsession? Just spend a few minutes listening to these guys talk about the sport they’re passionate about. As opening day approaches and then the 60-day season vanishes all too soon, they eat and breathe duck hunting. We tossed some questions to nine executives around the state as they prepare to head to the rice fields, reservoirs and flooded timber they cherish.
Harold Horton
Director, Razorback Foundation, Fayetteville
Number of days you hunt each year? It’s usually in the neighborhood of 12-15 days. I always like to hunt the very first day and around holidays, plus about three to four days that last week.
Where you hunt? Dr. Bo Busby is one of our former players and has a place where I hunt. If there’s a place that’s any better, I’d like to see it.
Club name? Prairie Winds.
Pump or semi-automatic? I have an automatic. It’s a 10-gauge automatic. That’s big.
Duck call? I can’t mention or recall a brand, but I enjoy calling them. There’s a little bit of an art to calling ducks. And it’s a pretty picture when you get them circling around.
Fields, reservoir, river or timber? It’s green timber.
Favorite place to eat during duck season? My favorite place to eat during the season is at Dr. Busby’s. Whatever they cook is good, but breakfast is hard to beat, and you’ll eat pretty good at night.
Favorite hunting story/memory? I’ve been going down hunting for years with a lot of people and one year we were hunting with [former Arkansas Coach] Danny Ford. Danny was over there in one specific hole and lost his balance. He started to fall, reached out for me and I just let him go. I wasn’t going in the water with him. [laughs] Danny got wet and now one of the holes is called the “Danny Ford” hole.
What got you into duck hunting? It was a way of life for me growing up. I’m from DeWitt and being from that part of Arkansas, hey, that’s just something your family did on the weekends and holidays. There’s a beauty and a challenge to it that you can’t beat.
What is your most unusual “must have” in the duck blind? It’s not unusual, but I don’t want to be out there without that duck caller with me. I’m not saying I’m good or bad at it, but I just enjoy blowing the duck call. If I don’t take it with me, if I forget it, there’s a void there.
Which Arkansas executive calls ducks the best? Well, Dr. Busby, when you hunt with him, he’s the lead man. He runs that duck blind just like a lot of people run their business office. He’s going to call the shots. He’s going to take the lead role. Hey, it’s his place. We abide.
Dustin McDaniel
Attorney General, State of Arkansas
Number of days you hunt each year? Before I was elected attorney general, I could count on hunting 30 to 35 days. Now, I’m lucky if I get 15.
Where do you hunt? I enjoy hunting all over Arkansas, but I’ve hunted most by far in Poinsett County.
Club name? There was never a name for the club I was in growing up. We just called it “The Woods.” Now, I mostly hunt the Chase Woods near Harrisburg.
Duck call? I’m a terrible caller, so whatever is easiest.
Fields, reservoir, river or timber? Timber!
Rainy, nasty or bluebird sky? Bluebird sky.
Favorite place to eat during duck season? The lodge. Doug Falls and Curt Hanscom turn that shack into one of the best restaurants in America for 60 days each year.
Favorite hunting story/memory? The morning after the Gillett Coon Supper a few years ago, Mitch Berry, Justin Allen, Bishop Woolsey and I went hunting even though the field had been frozen solid for a week. The temperature hovered around 15 degrees, and you could have driven a car across the ice. People thought we were crazy for hunting that morning, but the robo-duck and the call worked like magic. Mallards kept trying to light on the ice. We all shot our limit quickly, and we didn’t have to worry about retrieving ducks. When the hunt was over, we just wandered around the ice and picked them up. It was awesome.
What got you into duck hunting? When I was 10, my uncle took me on my first duck hunt, and I loved it. I love the cold weather; I love hearing the mallards whistle and the wood ducks sail by just before shooting hours. There’s nothing like the excitement of lighting a big group and watching the dogs work. You can’t beat the camaraderie either, even when you’re being teased about missing an easy shot.
If you have children, do you take them duck hunting? If so, what are some of the highlights from these youth hunts? My daughter’s first hunt was a dove hunt at age 6. Although she loved wearing camouflage, she got tired pretty quickly. Fishing with the kids has given them more exposure to the outdoors. I expect that a duck hunt may come as soon as this year.
Origin of the club name? I’ve never researched it, but I’m told that Mr. Chase patented safety glass for the auto industry in the 1950s. He built levees along a section of woods on the L’Anguille River and installed what is, to this day, the biggest relift I’ve ever seen. It’s a natural treasure, and it’s been a real privilege to get to hunt there the last few years.
Pump or semi-automatic? Semi-automatic. I’ve always preferred Berettas, but I just bought a new Benelli, and I’m looking forward to trying it out in a few months.
John W. Allison
Chairman, Centennial Bank, Conway
Number of days you hunt each year? 10-20.
Where do you hunt? Black Swamp, Cache River, Augusta.
Club name? Big Oaks Hunting Lodge.
Pump or semi-automatic? Semi (Benelli).
Duck call? Doesn’t matter, I can’t call. I wear two for show.
Fields, reservoir, river or timber? Fields, river and timber.
Rainy, nasty or bluebird sky? Nastier the better.
Favorite place to eat during duck season? In the blind with Dale Bruns cooking. Coffee with Bailey’s, biscuits and gravy.
What got you into duck hunting? Friends from Jonesboro.
If you have children, do you take them duck hunting? If so, what are some of the highlights from these youth hunts? Yes; my son killed a double-banded duck at the age of 7.
What is your most unusual “must have” in the duck blind? XM radio.
Which Arkansas executive calls ducks the best? I don’t know, but I wouldn’t want him working for me! If he is the best duck caller and has a very low golf handicap, he doesn’t spend enough time in the office.
Brian Bell
COO, National Park Medical Center, Hot Springs
Number of days you hunt each year? Somewhere around 15 to 20 days on average.
Where do you hunt? Various Arkansas locations, Carlisle, Bald Knob, Brinkley, Morrilton, etc.
Club name? No club name … too hard to brand the caliber of hunting we do. (Ha!)
Pump or semi-automatic? Pump; semi-automatic is considered cheating.
Duck call? Basic Haydel’s Redleg and a few of Butch Richenback’s calls.
Fields, reservoir, river or timber? Rather hunt the reservoirs and timber.
Rainy, nasty or bluebird sky? Whatever God provides, although the nasty days are much more tolerable if there are ducks.
Favorite hunting story/memory? Taking Dr. Kevin Hale (Hot Springs) and his son, Kameron, on one of their first duck hunting outings. Kameron was the most competitive hunter I had ever seen. Between him and his dad, no one else could get in a good shot.
What got you into duck hunting? Fortunate enough to have a father that loves the outdoors.
If you have children, do you take them duck hunting? If so, what are some of the highlights from these youth hunts? I have two sons, ages 4 and 7, so they’re just now getting to where I can take them on a duck hunt. We have made several trips to the deer woods, though.
What is your most unusual “must have” in the duck blind? I enjoy getting the opportunity to take various members of the Hot Springs community, employers, clients, etc., hunting … in which a large percentage of them are not experienced hunters and/or it may be their first opportunity to go, so … earplugs, gun tools, gun oil, first-aid kit, extra shells, survival snacks, and a Diet Coke for me.
Which Arkansas executive calls ducks the best? There have been many — and many who should not be allowed to own a duck call — but it is generally the guy who reaches for his call last and is the first to put it away.
Tim Carney
Senior vice president of sales and marketing, Delta Dental, Sherwood
Number of days you hunt each year? Three if my boss is reading this article (but really around 12-15 times).
Where do you hunt? This past year everywhere there was not ducks. Lonoke area and Brinkley.
Club name? Being a member of a duck club is like a boat; that is, the best thing is to have a friend with a boat and that is basically what I do with the duck club. Good to have great friends.
Pump or semi-automatic? Semi-automatic.
Duck call? I’m banned from duck calling by the same friends who have the duck clubs.
Fields, reservoir, river or timber? Timber and fields.
Rainy, nasty or bluebird sky? All of them.
Favorite place to eat during duck season? At the Red Sky Duck Club.
Favorite hunting story/memory? Just the fellowship between the hunters and trying to figure out how much of each story is true.
What got you into duck hunting? Ed Choate, president and CEO of Delta Dental.
If you have children, do you take them duck hunting? If so, what are some of the highlights from these youth hunts? My son Taylor, who is 19, will go if the weather and temperature are perfect. But I really do enjoy it more when he is able to join the hunts.
Which Arkansas executive calls ducks the best? I would say Dr. Jim Johnston from Marion.
R. Greg Feltus
Senior executive vice president, Stephens Inc.
Number of days you hunt a season? Whatever the number is, not enough.
Where do you hunt? DeWitt area and the Arkansas River Valley.
Club name? Haller Lake Hunting Club and General Menifee Hunting Club.
Pump or semi-automatic? Benelli semi-automatic.
Duck call? Mojo.
Fields, reservoir, river or timber? Depends on where the birds are.
Rainy, nasty or bluebird sky? Bluebird day with the north wind.
Favorite place to eat during duck season? Gathering around the camp kitchen cooking steaks and duck breasts and enjoying the camaraderie and a nice cabernet with dinner.
What got you into duck hunting? My hunting accelerated with my father-in-law, Bob Hickman. I bought him a shotgun for Christmas, and he joined a duck club. Family, friends, business and the love of the sport were the drivers.
If you have children, do you take them duck hunting? If so, what are some of the highlights from these youth hunts? One of the greatest joys of my life has been sharing the outdoors with family. A very memorable hunt was my son Robert’s first hunt that he was allowed to shoot. He took aim at a wood duck, fired and two fell. Mother, sister and some of our best friends were there to witness. That was a great day!
What is your most unusual “must have” in the duck blind? Thermos of hot tea.
Al Heringer IV
Vice president, Star Transportation LLC
Number of days you hunt each year? 8-10.
Where do you hunt? Rice fields mainly, but also hunt the timber. I hunt various places around Jonesboro. Nowhere specific. Have to go where the ducks are.
Club name? No specific club.
Pump or semi-automatic? Semi.
Fields, reservoir, river or timber? Fields and timber.
Rainy, nasty or bluebird sky? I like it real cold with a clear sky.
Favorite place to eat during duck season? Always got to stop and get a hot [spicy pork sandwich] from Craig’s BBQ in DeValls Bluff, if I am hunting in that area.
Favorite hunting story/memory? I went hunting at Big Lake with my uncle. He had the best blind around. We took a short boat ride in to it. I was in the front with the dog. It was very cold that morning. I slumped down into the bottom of the boat, then all of the sudden I am getting hit in the face with something! Oh yes, the dog took a dump on my head. That is always the first story I tell about duck hunting even though I hadn’t shot a duck yet that day.
What got you into duck hunting? My father. I like it ’cause I can go out and get a good hunt in and be back at work by 9 a.m.
Which Arkansas executive calls ducks the best? Probably Gary Salisbury from Fikes Truck Line.
Hank Kelley
CEO, Flake and Kelley Commercial
Number of days you hunt each year? 15 to 20 days.
Where do you hunt? Near the Jefferson County line off Highway 256 at my club. I also enjoy visiting other clubs with good friends who are nice enough to invite me.
Club name? Black Bayou Duck Club.
Origin of the club name? Related to its geography. Founding members were John Earl and Gene Mazzanti.
Pump or semi-automatic? Semi-automatic Benelli Super Black Eagle.
Duck call? Rich-N-Tone.
Fields, reservoir, river or timber? Reservoir and timber. Hunt fields at certain times, but really like the reservoir we have.
Rainy, nasty or bluebird sky? Will hunt under all of the above. Nasty is fine as long as no lightning. I love the days when you have a front move in and the ducks are working in front of the weather. A couple of my best hunts have been during sleet showers.
Favorite place to eat during duck season? At our club table with other hunters when we make fried eggs, sausage, bacon, biscuits, duck and a beverage of choice. Steaks in the evening. I like Cotham’s in Scott on the way home.
Favorite hunting story/memory? I took my daughter Grace on a hunt when she was about 12 with a hunter and his two sons. She was barely tall enough to keep the water out of her waders standing next to a cypress tree. I was still trying to get the other hunters positioned when shooting hours came and ducks dropped into the hole. She was ready and shot two ducks without anyone else firing a shot. All the others were still trying to get loaded.
Many great hunts with my two sons and son-in-law where my Lab worked her heart out to retrieve what we shot. Best hunts have been with another member of the club, Mike Gowen, because he has a boat equipped with a Go-Devil motor that will go through the worst brush and duckweed areas. The ducks seem to like those areas a lot. I’ve been stuck in places I didn’t know how we would ever get out of, run out of gas, had all kinds of mechanical failures on equipment and just grown to expect that when you leave to go out to your place, it’s a new adventure every time.
What got you into duck hunting? A friend in college asked me to go. I grew up quail hunting with my dad, but after the quail population fell off, I had lost interest in hunting until I tried duck hunting. I got involved with a group a few years after my kids were born with the idea I wanted to be able to share hunting with my kids.
If you have children, do you take them duck hunting? If so, what are some of the highlights from these youth hunts? My sons have been more active with me. One of my daughters still enjoys an occasional hunt; the other does not care for the cold.
What is your most unusual “must have” in the duck blind? I try to hunt outside of blinds as much as possible, so I’m probably not the best to answer. I’ll probably carry my iPhone in the future to track the weather. I love the Weather Channel app on it.
Which Arkansas executive calls ducks the best? Roger Cockrill, Doug Beard, Chuck Cook, John Earl. I’m not a good caller but am always working on getting better. When the ducks respond, it never gets old.
Bill Kennedy
General counsel, Cooper Communities Inc., Rogers
Number of days you hunt each year? As much as I can.
Where do you hunt? Until recently, Peckerwood Lake.
Pump or semi-automatic? Pump.
Duck call? Rich-N-Tone.
Fields, reservoir, river or timber? None of the above; lake.
Rainy, nasty or bluebird sky? Doesn’t matter.
Favorite place to eat during duck season? Craig’s.
Favorite hunting story/memory? Going anytime with my father.
What got you into duck hunting? Father taking me.
If you have children, do you take them duck hunting? If so, what are some of the highlights from these youth hunts? Have taken daughter — watching her climb trees in her waders.
Which Arkansas executive calls ducks the best? Have no idea.
Reynie Rutledge
Chairman, First Security Bancorp, Searcy
Number of days you hunt each year? 15.
Where do you hunt? We started out hunting with Jim Lindsey at his Forrest City home place. Now we hunt on the Cache River at Gregory and at Dr. Porter Rodger’s farm on the White River south of Augusta.
Pump or semi-automatic? Browning over and under.
Fields, reservoir, river or timber? River/timber.
Rainy, nasty or bluebird sky? Have done all of the above. Prefer bluebird day.
What got you into duck hunting? The main person who got me into duck hunting is my brother-in-law, Jim Lindsey. What has kept me going is my three boys and their love of the sport.
If you have children, do you take them duck hunting? If so, what are some of the highlights from these youth hunts? I now have three grown boys, and they take me hunting. It has been great to see them mature in their love of the outdoors, hunting and, of course, their dogs.
H. Ford Trotter
President and general manager, Trotter Auto Group, Pine Bluff
Number of days you hunt each year? I duck hunt 15-20 days a year.
Where do you hunt? I hunt out of my father’s duck club near Altheimer, called The Ditch because it sits on the bank of a slough.
Origin of the club name? The legal club name is Fish Lake Cypress Farms. I think it was called this because they put in a reservoir for fishing that had cypress trees in it. However, since I can remember, it has always been called The Ditch.
Pump or semi-automatic? I hunt with a 12-gauge Automatic Winchester.
Duck call? I call with a Primos Wench. I’m not into the fancy calls. I always end up losing them.
Fields, reservoir, river or timber? We mostly hunt flooded rice fields. However, I have a couple of friends with good timber hunting who are nice enough to invite me a few times during the year.
Rainy, nasty or bluebird sky? I prefer a beautiful sunny bluebird morning at about 41 degrees. I know this is not the common thinking for rice fields, but I think ducks work better the more realistic the decoy spread looks. And a sun-covered decoy looks the best!
Favorite place to eat during duck season? Any Git-n-Go with hot coffee and a sausage biscuit is my favorite place to eat during duck season.
What got you into duck hunting? My father started taking me duck hunting when I was around 10 years old. I took my pellet gun to the blind. Unfortunately, I have no exciting story about a pellet-killed duck. I remember duck hunting before school started in the morning. The mud all over my Jeep CJ-7 was a badge of honor when I pulled into the high school parking lot.
If you have children, do you take them duck hunting? If so, what are some of the highlights from these youth hunts? My 15-year-old son, Hank, has been hunting with me since he was very young. A top 10 moment of my life was watching him shoot his first duck out of the air three years ago. It ranks up there with child- birth.
What is your most unusual “must have” in the duck blind? The only thing I can think of as a must have in a duck blind is enough shells. If the shooting is good and you run out, the price per shell reaches astronomical prices and the BS per shell is also pretty strong.
