Written By: Hannah Riggs
Over these past few months, I have gotten the privilege of being the intern for Ducksouth. I will say when I first got this position, I wasn’t completely sure what I was getting myself in. I knew I loved the outdoors and hunting, and I knew that I enjoyed writing, so I thought it might be a fun experience to try to combine the two and see what happens. And boy…. I’m so happy I joined the Ducksouth team. During my time with Ducksouth, I’ve learned things and experienced things I would never have gotten the chance to without Ducksouth. I’ve not only gotten to talk with leaders and personalities in the hunting industry, but also I’ve been able to experience the community, and I believe even family, that Ducksouth is.
Ducksouth is a place where users from all areas, walks of life, and career paths come together. People who might not necessarily have everything in common, bond and build relationships on the site simply through one shared passion: duck hunting. I’ve gotten to hear some pretty great stories from many users on the site, and I have to say that they are some of the most genuine, funny, and down to earth guys I’ve ever visited with. After talking to them and hearing the passion in which they tell all of their stories, I feel like I got to live the story through their eyes; and that’s something I hope to convey in all my stories to the other Ducksouth users. The excitement they have about duck hunting speaks volumes to me and honestly, makes me even more excited about this upcoming duck season than I otherwise would have been.
Not only have I gotten to hear some amazing stories from users, but from hunting personalities as well. Whether I’m interviewing J Paul Jackson, Freddy King, Ramsey Russell, or the countless other men I’ve gotten to talk with, one thing remains the same with all of them: their personable and humble attitudes. I don’t know if anyone else has ever felt this way, but I feel that at times people might assume that those higher up in the industry aren’t like the other everyday folks we run into. Let me tell you; though that is certainly not the case with a single guy I have had the opportunity to talk with. Not only are they excited and happy to get to talk with us at Ducksouth, but they are also just generally friendly people. After talking with every one of these men I can truly tell not only the passion they have with for jobs but also how much they care about other people. And getting to experience that is truly an opportunity in itself.
And of course, I have to brag on Mr. Rocky Leflore as well. Not everyone gets to say that they enjoy working for their boss, but I certainly do. I believe that he’s done a great job with this site and is truly passionate about growing and making the site better than it already is. He knows his stuff, and he wants to share it with everyone else too. He brings so much to the site, and I’m glad to be able to work for him.
Getting the opportunity to intern with such a great company is something I feel I have been truly blessed with. The stories I’ve heard and memories I’ve made with Ducksouth I know are ones that will stick with me for a lifetime. As I look back on these past few months, I am only more excited to see what else lays ahead for not only me but for Ducksouth.
