And in some duck camps just can't wait for the "one" guy to quit, die, or get out of the way!
Along Nershi's line I was thinking this morning of all the different types of duck hunters I've known over the years.
1) The Gentleman: Doctor or Attorney type, loves invites to private clubs, particularly FREE invites, and is likely the type to "forget" buying their license, or stamps, or some other inconvenient thing they need for a weekend sponging off others. Shoots A LOT, wings/wounds most, most likely to stack a bunch of mergansers. Leaves when it's time to clean up, tries to make off with a nice brace of mallards he didn't shoot.
2) The Salesman: Business type. High expectations for efficiency and success. Has more than $10k invested in hunting rig. The Good: some of these guys are hardcore water fowlers, good at it. They put a premium on expertise. The Bad: some of these guys think coin makes up for inability. They suck at hunting, and can blow a hunt for everyone else on the water with their DB ways. The Ugly: A certain set of this group, after getting beat to a spot, they doesn't have a problem parking their Escalade at the top of a hill and shooting every time birds start decoy. Also most likely to shoot illegal birds if nothing else if is flying.
3) The Tag Along: the brother, nephew, uncle, son, buddy, whatever~ doesn't hunt often, admits he sucks. Often makes up for not being a "hunter" by bringing good food/booze to share. Isn't good at chore work, but tries. But, if you have to hunt with him more than one weekend a year, you want to kill him because he's always looking like he needs direction and waiting to be told what to do/where to go.
4) The Rooster: Likes to "crow". Generally backs it up with being good shot and knowing how to set a spread of decoys. Always in a race, even with best friends and his own kids. Generally seems to focus on functional gear that can give an advantage. Different than The Salesman, The Rooster relies on self-improvement and learning birds to give him an advantage, rather than technological advances to bring his game forward.
5) The Mouse: Quiet, diligent, doesn't compete. Will take a secondary spot to stay away from the crowd. Prefers to hunt alone. Generally patient, they like new/interested gunners. Roosters drive them a bit nuts, The Salesman makes him laugh. The Gentleman doesn't get any thought. Known to apologize for shooting more than the host of a hunt.
6) The Host: Always starts out thinking he is doing something nice by inviting people on a trip, to the land/club/etc. Requires thick skin as many of the characters think it is their right to be invited. Often gets stuck with family, particularly in-laws, that are bothersome. The Host comes to loathe hosting, but once on this track they have a hard time setting parameters on who can hunt their deal.
7) Young Guns: they get excited about EVERYTHING, as in they think they are the firs to EVER see something: ducks cupped and committed, a tornado, a good shot, etc. Most likely to have "team" names on hoodies. They call loud and often, whether they need it or not. Also, regardless of years water fowling, this group is an instant authority on anything/everything related to camo, decoys, guns, and ammo.
8) Cousin Eddie: hunts a lot but never figures anything out. Gear is a wreck, always late, but seems to make sure there is a bag of Mini-doughnuts in the blind bag.
9) The Show: can hunt, cook, clean birds, set-up camp. This is the Mad Skill hunter that just shows up and things happen. Can pick the right spot by sniffing the breeze, acts likes he's been there before, and doesn't make excuses for failure. Most likely to deliver on any question starting with, "Does anyone have (insert item here)".
Certain there's others. The challenge is that each of these types are motivated by different things. To actually recruit noobs/returners they need some special value proposition, because we're in America, where everyone is special.
