Tori McCormick

When Mike Anderson exited the calling stage in the third and final round of the 89th annual World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest in Stuttgart, Ark., on Nov. 30, his future plans had already been decided.
Anderson, 44, of Mankato, Minn., who won the prestigious event in 2009, had decided, regardless of how well he did, he would continue to compete.
“I decided I was going to give myself a five-year window – maybe until I’m 50 – then I’ll probably hang it up for good,” said Anderson, who placed 12th among 56 of the world’s best competition callers.

If you haven’t already winterized your duck boat and packed away your decoys, push poles, and other waterfowling gear, this week’s weather forecast of cold weather and northwesterly winds should jump-start what has been a lackluster 2024 duck and goose migration.
While the duck season ended Tuesday in the state’s North Zone, waterfowlers may hunt through Nov. 24 in the state’s Central and South zones.

Author and outdoorsman Doug Lodermeier doesn’t remember the precise date and year, but he does recall doing an extreme double-take.
An avid bird hunter, Lodermeier, 69, of Edina, Minn., was heading north along Highway 65 in Aitkin County near McGregor, an unremarkable stretch of road he has traveled many times over the years on his way to hunt ruffed grouse and woodcock. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw flickers of color. Decoys – indeed, many decoys painted in a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors and patterns – sat bobbing and listing in the marshy ditch.