Duck Commander
Do you remember the first duck you ever shot, where you shot it, and what kind of gun you shot it with?
ROBERTSON
I was 8 years old. We were hunting Moss Lake. It was in southern Arkansas (upper Ouachita). It is now a Federal Reserve. The tree blind we hunted was one of the most incredible-looking and functioning blinds I have ever hunted (I have a picture of it). The first ducks that came in, I jumped up, shooting a 12-gauge Browning Magnum. When I pulled the trigger, the next thing I saw was the sky. It put me flat on my back. My dad asked if I shot a duck. I replied, “I am not sure.” The next bunch came in, and I raised up with a new stance and I shot twice into the decoys. My thought was “why shoot these flying when there is a hundred sitting here?” I had no concept of decoys. My dad chastised me for shooting the decoys, although he said he liked my style. I figured someone should have brought up the subject of decoys, since I could barely see of the shooting porch. The next duck that came in was a single pintail drake, a “bull sprig” is what they called him. He sat down right on the other side of the decoys. “Cut him, Jase”, was the words. Three shots later I had my first duck.
FLYWAY
What is your favorite duck to hunt?
ROBERTSON
My favorite duck to shoot often changes. I have stated in prior conversations, mallard, pintail, teal, wood duck, gadwall, widgeon. One of my favorite things about duck hunting is the different, unique, aspects of each duck. I learn to appreciate each duck’s own strengths, weaknesses, and aspects of beauty. So, I guess, my favorite is the one I am currently after, regardless of species or gender.
FLYWAY
What is one duck you haven't shot, but really want to?
ROBERTSON
I think I’ve shot a least one of every duck there is in the U.S. We mainly hunt timber, so we do not get many pintails since they are drawn to more open terrain. I wish I could hunt them more.
FLYWAY
What is your favorite gun to hunt with?
ROBERTSON
It is a toss-up between the Benelli Super Black Eagle or the Vinci. I just started shooting the Vinci, but I really shot better than normal with it.
FLYWAY
If you could go on a dream hunt with any 3 people, alive or deceased, who would they be, where would you go, and what would you be hunting for?
ROBERTSON
Since I believe in the resurrection, my dream hunt with Jesus, apostles Paul and Peter, may be a reality. Hunting was God’s idea anyway (Gen. 9:1-3). As for now, I really believe that every time I go hunt with my dad and my two sons, Reed and Cole, that is my dream hunt. My dream gets to come true and that is why I love hunting so much. Anything that flies (especially ducks) is what we would hunt.
FLYWAY
What is your greatest hunting memory?
ROBERTSON
There are too many for one to stand out, but a couple I’ll have. I took my son two years ago on a Sunday morning before church with no cameras. It had been extremely slow the previous week, and everyone was frustrated and decided to sleep in. Expectations were low, but that morning it was like someone turned on a switch and the ducks (mainly mallards and teal) poured in. We shot a limit with ease, and I vividly remember one bunch of teal (about a hundred) that tried to get in the blind with us. Another hunt I remember was with a guy from Tennessee who had been diagnosed with cancer. My dad visited him at a hospital in Tennessee and prayed with him, because the doctors had given him very little chance of survival. My dad told him, the Almighty may decide to heal him and if he did, my dad told him he would take him hunting. A year later, the same fellow came to our booth at a show in Tennessee with his calendar in hand. We took him later that year, and it was pouring down rain (I mean pouring!). Despite the rain, we shot a 6 man limit in a short period of time. I remember it vividly, that after the last duck was shot, it stopped raining, and the most spectacular rainbow appeared. The whole story was just surreal, and I was glad to be a part of it.
FLYWAY
Have you ever hunted or visited Minnesota?
ROBERTSON
Never hunted in Minnesota, but I would love to give it a try.
FLYWAY
Have you ever had a dangerous or scary moment while hunting?
ROBERTSON
Duck hunting definitely has its dangers with guns, water and freezing conditions. In Louisiana, the biggest problem we have is water moccasins (cotton mouths). I got in a pirogue (small canoe) one day to retrieve some ducks, and when I got back to the blind, a cottonmouth had come out to the end of the log that the blind was floating on. As I approached the log, he struck at my face, and he came an inch from getting me right between the eyes. I kind of blacked out with a surge of adrenaline. I had gotten some distance away from him during that time, and I shot him. This year we had record floodwaters, and it was a bit scaring knowing that if you fall out of the boat, even with a life vest on, you probably aren’t gonna make it.
FLYWAY
If you were not doing what you do with Duck Commander, what do you think you would be doing, or what would you want to be doing?
ROBERTSON
Good question—I hunted ducks before I had a job with Duck Commander. I have always said that if we ever go out of business, I am still going to hunt every day it’s open and work my schedule out. I would probably commercial fish or be some sort of guide. I do love working with kids, and I am extremely competitive, so I wouldn’t mind coaching in some capacity.
FLYWAY
When did you acquire your love for golf, what is your current handicap, and what is one course that you would love to play?
ROBERTSON
The golf came from the competitive nature of me and my brothers. We always played games and sports. And we love the outdoors. I am a 5 handicap, however, that is misleading. After duck season, I am a 25, because I don’t play for a few months. About the time I start getting my golf game lined out, duck season comes and the vicious cycle starts again.
I would like to play Pebble Beach. I actually got invited to go there and play last year, but I had two boys playing baseball, and I didn’t want to miss their games. I actually like any well-groomed course, especially with ducks on them.
FLYWAY
What are 3 things you NEVER hunt without?
ROBERTSON
Number 1 - Compass. This year I realized you must have some standard while arguing with my crew about wind direction and set-up. It usually ends the argument except for my uncle Si, who on many occasions has said, “that compass is wrong.” I also got turned around a lot this year with the high water.
Number 2 – Strong black coffee – duck hunters motor oil, and Phil’s coffee looks just like it.
Number 3 – Sharp saw – I believe getting hidden is the top priority of a duck hunter.
FLYWAY
What is the one thing you enjoy most with your job in Duck Commander?
ROBERTSON
I would say the thing that I enjoy the most is the idea that what we do is promoting hunting, especially among kids. I want to inspire others to preserve the heritage of duck hunting. When I was a kid and I decided that I wanted to live a Godly life, hunting and fishing was the way I could do something that was God-sanctioned, fun, and a good way to enjoy great food and friendship.
Minnesota Flyway would like to thank Jase Robertson for taking the time to answer our interview questions. To see more of Jase visit www.duckcommander.com
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