Father Son Duck Hunting

Duck Camp with Dad!

Judson has been waiting for the day that Oney would be old enough to take his first father-son Sanderson Farms duck hunting trip to Stuttgart, Arkansas. Judson has been going duck hunting with the Sanderson folks since around 1996. Yep, that's almost 15 years! Wow...hard to believe! Judson has always heard about the "father-son weekend" and never been a part of it because he has never had a son old enough. Well, that all changed this year. Neal asked Judson if he wanted to bring Oney (like he has the past few years) and he hesitated. Was Oney ready? Would he have fun? Would he enjoy duck hunting? Was he mature enough? Would Judson enjoy it with his son like he did with his friends? Would Oney make him proud? Well...you guessed it...the results were overwhelmingly positive and needless to say...Oney absolutely LOVED duck camp, he LOVED the Sanderson "Family", he LOVED Neal, he LOVED the campfire talks, he LOVED Mack's, he LOVED the "Sanderson way of being Spoiled, he LOVED everything about duck camp ...just like his Daddy! And as much as Oney LOVED duck camp, the Sanderson folks LOVED Oney just like they love his Dad! All of Judson's fears were put to bed the minute they walked in the door. Oney met one kid and never met a stranger after that...he was off...

Oney thought it was cool that his parents made the board at duck camp!

Oney felt right at home with all the food and drinks at camp. He was in heaven.

One of his Dad's favorite wines...Far Niente...

As you suspect, Oney had every square inch of the place figured out after about 10 minutes!

Oney with his new buddy, Hunter. He and Hunter carved sticks for hours. Oney came home wanting a knife for Christmas.

It rained about 4 inches while they were there. So needless to say the actual hunting wasn't great. They went bowling one afternoon to give the boys a fun activity (as if they needed it).

ONEY's FAVORITE PART OF DUCK CAMP...THE CAMPFIRE TALKS...

I am afraid Oney grew up just a little while he sat by the campfire. Judson didn't let him stay for the entire conversation (there were teenage boys there) but he heard enough. Oney has already asked a half a dozen times...Dad, when we go back next year, can I stay for the campfire talks?

Boys will be be boys...

O having breakfast in the duck hole.

Oney in the duck hole. I am so glad Judson took him this year. They really bonded and have not stopped talking about this trip. He is already looking forward to next year. The Sanderson folks are golden. Oney quickly learned why his Daddy has spoken so fondly of these people for so long now! Our business is minuscule to that company. We are one tiny little customer and they make us feel like we are their only customer. Wow...I hope that I have made a few of my customers feel that special! Thanks Dan, Neil, Buddha, Mr. Joe, Gadd, Jeffcoat, and every other Sanderson man for all of the special memories that you have given us.