Interviewing the Duckman from Downeast!

It started out innocent enough.  I found the Duckman's blog through another site and signed up to read his word's of wisdom as he sent them out over the Internet/blogging waves.  Besides, I found life in Maine to be an interesting subject to follow, especially an outdoorsman from Maine.  We began leaving comments on each others blog and I eventually got up the nerve to poke a little fun at the Founding Father of Duckpower, Inc.  I sent out this jewel of a blogging post, and with that a great friendship has developed!  The Duckman from Downeast and I decided to conduct an interview with each other in efforts to let our readers know more about the other.  It was my idea, but he beat me to the punch and posted his interview first.  Being the good person that I am, I answered his questions and returned them to him the very same day.  He held out on me and did not return my questions for a week.  The Duckman will deny this, but I know he did it on purpose.  You see we both won a gear review from the OBN for a gun cleaning kit.  It came to both of us in the mail on a Friday afternoon.  My review was up on Saturday.  The Duckman was off fishing.  I think he holds it against me for making him look like a slacker!

I have enjoyed getting to know the Downeast Duck Hunter and I am glad to include him in my circle of friends even though we have never had the opportunity to shake hands.  I think that we will make the effort to make that happen as we have both given the other an open invitation to try out living in the North or South on any given weekend.  So here we go!  Readers, I present The Downeast Duck Hunter, President of Duckpower, Inc.-

1). How did you get into this whole blogging thing?

My blogging world began shortly after the Rabid Outdoorsman started The Maine Outdoorsman, rather than be a contributor to his site I chose to offer up some of the happenings in Downeast, Maine. My other hope was to network with quality outdoorsman from other places in the country in hopes that maybe we could exchange hunts.

Over time I’ve met some decent people on the Internet pipeline, I don’t aspire to have six hundred followers nor do I have the energy to communicate with a lot of people. My intent is to find those who are like me, honest hard working diligent Americans who have a passion for the outdoors. If the dialogue works, then all is cool. So far, I’ve been able to network with a few writers. Two of whom, I’m friends on Facebook while the others are usually commenters on the blog.

2). Tell us about being a history teacher. Did you choose to teach that subject or was it a subject that was assigned to you?

I teach every social studies class imaginable. The class list for me includes (not every year): U.S. History, World History, Civics/Government, Geography, Economics, Sociology, Current Events/Debates, and some outdoor leadership instruction. Our school is small and I am the history department. I used to be a junior high social studies teacher, but moved up after two years. Most recently, I earned my masters in administration. My hope is to teach for 20 years, be a principal for 5, retire at 47 and do the lobstering/guiding gig until I can no longer walk.

I didn’t always enjoy history, but as I’ve gotten older it becomes far more interesting. Part of my problem was how history was taught, I try to make it relevant and enjoyable. I can’t dazzle them all, but I’d say I’m cranking out little citizens.

3). Give us your best recipe for Sea Ducks.

Take some eider breasts, tenderize them by severe pounding, soak them in a brine of baking soda & salt for at least one full day, then throw them in a pot with vegetables, seasonings, cream of mushroom soup, and ten small chunks of hickory wood. When all is well cooked, eat the pieces of wood. It should be slightly tastier and more chewable than the eider.

Actually, I give the sea ducks to local families that either could use the meat or have an acquired taste for salt water fare. The elderly residents who take the ducks sometimes offer to pay for my shells, but I figure them taking the ducks saves me from eating so many. On occasion, I do slice up the eider breasts into thin strips, grab some marinade, and turn it into beef jerky. It’s not bad. The only other way I dare do eider is stewed slowly with vegetables and dumplings.

4). If you could come to Georgia for a visit, what outdoor activity would you want to participate in?

If I were to grace the fine Georgians with my presence, I’d love to do some bass fishing and try my hand at a turkey. The dove hunting seems interesting as so does the rattle snake pursuit, but I may need to play spectator with the rattlers. Honestly, I hate snakes but for some crazy reason I’m thinking I’d look good in snake chaps.

6). If the “Hump Day Crowd” were to get together in Maine for a Northern mid week celebration and you were the host, what is on the menu?

That depends, most everybody who comes to Maine usually looks for a lobster and they are not hard for me to get. Maybe some seafood, good steaks on the grill, and some of my wife’s fine cooking. I can’t tell you what it is, but it’s usually good. Besides, I’m not much of a cook unless we are either at camp or in the woods. Then I impress all and anybody.

8). Why are you a fan of Brave Eagles Hunt with Antique Brownings, and please feel free to tell everyone why you feel it is the single best outdoor blog on the Internet?

Your blog is somewhat super cool simply because it’s the reflection of life from a man who loves his family, life, and god. There exists no question that we are elbow to elbow in terms of raising children, share an immense passion for being outdoors, and have built a great dialogue in terms of friendship. Even though I’m not into wood working or cooking, I believe there exists a genuineness about your blog that many others lack. I’ve always believed that a few good connections is better than a bunch of lousy ones and when I see that, I stop following. And besides, it’s good because I post on it.

9). I find it interesting that you are a registered Maine Guide. Your good friend and fellow blogger, The Maine Outdoorsman, is also a Registered Maine Guide. Who guides who when you are in the field together?

My good friend Steve, the Maine Outdoorsman, is an adept student of a variety of subjects within the realm of the Maine wilderness. He has an immense passion for the outdoors and has in fact become highly successful within the scope of hunting turkey, fresh water duck, and northern pike. I’d say he is gaining a greater ability in predator, trophy whitetail, and small game. In addition, he’s well trained in hiking, mountain climbing, and traveling. But I must say, when it comes to mechanical applications if it doesn’t have a kill switch and a pull cord- he’s screwed. I’ve got the edge on him especially with sea ducks & bass fishing, and my top four deer are bigger than all of his combined. When we are on the ocean, I call the shots and know that he trusts me 100%.

All jokes aside, we compliment each other well. He continually jaws me about being over prepared but will never complain when he’s sucking down that perfect cup of coffee, enjoying a dry experience under a tarp during a down pour, or watching me drum up a meal to remember. It’s hard to compare us simply because we have different talents and styles, maybe that’s why we make a good team. However, I’m far cooler and don’t lie nearly as much, even though I have to stretch the truth sometimes.

I once told the Duckman that the only ice fishing we do here in Georgia is when we fish for another cold beer in the bottom of our cooler!

Thanks Mr. President for being a supporter of my amateur writing and for teaching me about life Downeast!  I hope to make the trip one day, as soon as it warms up!  For now, you know that you have a friend "Down South" and I am glad to know that I have a brother "Up North" from "Downeast"!

PS.  Keep the ducks off of my menu.  I'll have the lobster!