Why Mentoring Youth Waterfowl Hunters Matters

By: Gunnar Sullivan, Eastern Kansas Coordinator

There’s something deeply satisfying about watching the sun rise over a still marsh, the calls of distant birds echoing through the morning fog. For seasoned waterfowl hunters, these moments become a part of who we are. But if we want to preserve the traditions, values, and ethics of the sport, it's our responsibility to pass the torch. Mentoring youth waterfowl hunters isn’t just about teaching someone how to shoot or set decoys; it’s about building future stewards of our wildlife, waters, and way of life.

1. Preserving Tradition and Heritage

Hunting is more than a hobby; it's a tradition rooted in history, family, and connection to the land. Mentoring gives young people a hands-on understanding of this heritage. Through stories, shared experiences, and time spent in the blind, we help them grasp not just the “how” of waterfowl hunting, but the “why.” They learn the importance of ethical hunting, respect for wildlife, and the value of conservation.

2. Promoting Conservation and Stewardship

Hunters are among the most active conservationists, contributing billions of dollars toward wildlife and habitat preservation through license fees, stamps, and taxes on gear. By mentoring youth hunters, we help them understand their role in protecting wetland ecosystems and waterfowl populations. They see firsthand how regulated hunting supports conservation efforts—and they become lifelong advocates for sustainable wildlife management.

3. Building Confidence and Character

Waterfowl hunting demands patience, resilience, discipline, and responsibility. It’s a challenging pursuit, and that’s what makes it such a powerful teacher. When you mentor a young hunter, you help them develop real-world skills and inner strength that translate far beyond the field. Whether it’s learning firearm safety, waking up early to prepare a blind, or staying focused during long, cold, and slow hunts, these lessons shape character in meaningful ways.

4. Creating Connection in a Disconnected World

In a time when many young people are glued to screens and disconnected from nature, mentoring offers a rare opportunity to unplug and reengage with the real world. Hunting teaches kids to pay attention to weather patterns, animal behavior, and their surroundings. It fosters a deep appreciation for the outdoors, and it creates space for mentorship, friendship, and meaningful conversation away from digital distractions.

5. Ensuring the Future of the Sport

Hunting participation has been in steady decline for years. Without new hunters, particularly youth, the future of waterfowl hunting, and the conservation funding it supports, is at risk. By taking a kid under your wing, you’re doing more than sharing a hunt. You’re investing in the future of the sport, ensuring it continues for generations to come.

6. Passing Down Lifelong Passion

Ask any experienced hunter how they got started, and most will point to a parent, grandparent, or mentor who took the time to teach them. Mentorship has a ripple effect. A young hunter today becomes tomorrow’s mentor. With your guidance, they’ll develop a passion not just for hunting, but for teaching, too. The cycle continues, and that’s how traditions endure.

Final Thoughts: A Legacy Worth Sharing

Mentoring youth waterfowl hunters isn’t just good for the kids. It enriches us, too. It reminds us why we fell in love with the sport in the first place. It brings new energy to old blinds. It gives us a chance to lead by example and to be remembered not just for the ducks we bagged, but for the lives we touched. So next season, take a young hunter out. Show them the ropes. Tell them your stories. Help them feel the heartbeat of the hunt. You won’t just be creating a new hunter, you’ll be shaping a steward, a conservationist, and perhaps one day, a mentor themselves.