Duck Hunt

Fall in the Upstate is signaled by crisp air and leaves transforming into a vibrant array of orange, gold, and red. The season, the height of waterfowl migration, also marks one of the busiest times of the year for Will Kittredge and Rob Coleman, co-chairs of Ducks Unlimited Greenville. For each of them, waterfowl hunting season means much more than toting their shotguns through frigid waters into duck blinds—it’s also about a lifelong commitment to conservation.

“The best thing for wildlife is a good hunter, a conservationist,” says Kittredge. “Someone that is going to give back more than they take and leave the land better than they found it.” After a multi-year hiatus, the avid outdoorsmen brought the Greenville, South Carolina, chapter of Ducks Unlimited back to their hometown with energy and enthusiasm. Their devotion is evident in their altruistic approach to making sure the privilege of hunting waterfowl, or other animals, never subsides in the area where both men were born and raised.

“A lot of people get this tunnel vision that Ducks Unlimited only benefits waterfowl and wetlands,” observes Coleman. “But the positive by-product is that we improve the surrounding habitat, which helps countless other species in nature.” To date, Ducks Unlimited has poured nearly $64 million into conservation efforts in South Carolina and secured 210,000 acres of land for natural habitats. In 2020 alone, other chapters in South Carolina raised $1.8 million, while Ducks Unlimited put $5.8 million into the dirt.

Kittredge and Coleman are adamant that responsible hunting starts with conservation education and grassroots efforts to put more money into the land they care for than what they take out. “Wetland habitats are not only critical to waterfowl,” Kittredge explains. “They are vital to deer, turkey, pretty much every wild animal we have in the state.”

Over the years, Ducks Unlimited chapters have come and gone in Greenville, and finding the right people to lead the celebrated charitable endeavor is key to its success. The first banquet Kittredge and Coleman held as co-chairs three years ago raised $50,000—a record for the chapter—and the past three-event seasons have set records year over year, raising an excess of six figures. Participation from the community is at an all-time high because it is not just about monetary donations. They need you to get your hands dirty, too.

“Opportunities to help care for our land are out there,” says Coleman. “It’s about the legacy, and we thank those who laid the groundwork before us as we continue to improve the land for generations to come.”

Interested in getting involved in Ducks Unlimited Greenville? Start by coming out to one of the events to learn what’s happening locally and nationally. Kittredge and Coleman’s goal is to attract people from all walks of life who have similar conservation values and can drive future success. “It’s about getting like-minded people together, and once they start talking, opportunities to hunt, fish, and experience wildlife come up,” notes Coleman. “Our events are not all about the ducks, it’s about all types of wildlife and learning from each other.”

Ducks Unlimited’s focus is on protecting animals and sharing best practices that allow winged and four-legged creatures to thrive in the Upstate. “Our generation of hunters is continuing to learn and improve from the people who came before them,” Kittredge says. “Those stories and wisdom are so critical; it’s a generational effort. The best advice for someone getting into hunting is to find a mentor who is willing to share.”

Upstate businesses took notice of the rejuvenated efforts of Greenville Ducks Unlimited, too. Duke Energy recently donated $25,000 to the Beaverdam Creek Wildlife Management Area project in Anderson County. The enhancement of this wildlife sanctuary will provide public access to hunting, birding, photography, education, and research.

Find information about how to volunteer or contribute to the cause at ducks.org/south-carolina, or through the Ducks Unlimited social media channels.

Photography by Paul Mehaffey