The allure of duck hunting has always been a mixture of family, friends and raucous laughter. At the very core, we participate in a collective enthusiasm. The word enthusiasm originates from the Greek entheos which means ‘the God within’.
“True enthusiasm is attractive. It touches people at a deep unconscious level and makes you want to join the dance. It’s not persuasion; not a play on emotions. It’s not intellectual, it’s instinctual.” ‘The Power of Enthusiasm’ by Shah McBee
We never examine the God part, there’s no need. For each of us, that is an intimate, solitary connection that words can only muddle. What we share is the numinous presence in the dawns of nature’s infinite cathedral. Yes, for us, it’s church.
Sunrises aside, I never laugh quite so hard or pump quite as much adrenaline as I do duck hunting. You can’t tell someone what it is like to hear the hiss in the air that signals the Ring-necks orbiting over the decoys, invisible, but lurking in the morning fog. Or the jet fighter howl Bluebills emit as the birds unfold from the sky to buzz the decoys at over seventy-five miles per hour.
On a calm morning when a flock sets their wings and commits to land, the only sound that permeates the quiet is the unmistakable clicks of your fellows releasing the safeties on the Remington and Benelli shotguns. Anticipation spurs adrenaline and brings your heart thumping into your throat, breathe, breathe.
Good shooting has a Zen, no-mind, quality as you lead and fire without conscious thought and the pride we all feel for one-another when a terrific shot is made and puts food on the table. And yes, the endearing jibes when we miss.
The Adventures of Spaghetti Eddie 