"Duck the Halls" Float Entertains at Christmas Parade

by
posted on December 16, 2013
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
dogs_ah2015_fs.jpg (49)

Now here's a parade float we can all appreciate. Nicknamed "Duck the Halls" by its creators, the waterfowl/hunting/Duck Dynasty-themed float was on display at the Chesapeake, Va., Christmas parade.

"Just a few years ago only hunters would've appreciated our handiwork," said Erinn Otterson. (Name sound familiar? You've read about his other antics here.) "But thanks to the popularity of Duck Dynasty, a lot of people cheered the float. It was a big hit, really funny."

Otterson—who's dressed in the photo below as either Uncle Si or Aging Hippie Duck Hunter—built the float with Chris Mowery and Brett Wayman, all of whom are employees of Chesapeake Bay Tree Incorporated.

"We wrapped chicken wire around Chris' duck boat [a 20-foot scissor rig] and brushed it up," Otterson explained. "Then we added Christmas ornaments, lights, twelve full-body decoys, a MOJO teal and a MOJO mallard. We put Santa hats on the decoys, too—I think that was a nice touch."

Otterson's wife, Jody, and Mowery's wife and kids tossed candy to spectators while Otterson, Mowery and Wayman blew duck calls.

Perhaps best of all, the men hunt a river nearby.

"Once we were done, Chris ripped the chicken wire off his boat and went scouting that afternoon," Otterson said. "A couple days later we shot bluebills, scoters and a gadwall about four miles from the parade route."

Latest

Massaro Cleaning
Massaro Cleaning

Clean 'em Up—Gun Cleaning 101 for Hunters

Ever wonder how often to clean your gun? How about what to clean it with? How about what to clean it with if you're hunting at 40-below? Phil Massaro answers all these questions and more, in this clean-freaks primer.

Hunting Show Attendance Shattering Records

Attendance records have been shattered at this year’s major hunting shows. The latest, Ducks Unlimited’s DUX (Ducks Unlimited Expo), set a new high-water mark in Memphis, Tenn. According to the Commercial Appeal, the July to Aug. 2 event attracted roughly 30,000 attendees. The 2025 event, also held in Memphis, drew a crowd that numbered nearly 20,000.

The Colonel’s Caliber in an Interesting Rifle—.35 Whelen

“Only accurate rifles are interesting.” Townsend Whelen

New for 2026: Beretta A400 Solo

Beretta USA has launched the A400 Solo, a new semi-automatic shotgun engineered for hunters who demand performance in the harshest conditions. Built on Beretta's A400 platform and packed with the company's latest advancements, the A400 Solo combines Beretta's B-Link Pro gas-operating system, Steelium barrel technology and Kick-Off Plus recoil reduction system into one dependable platform.

Know How: Find Your Long-Range Limit

Curious where your ethical limit is in the field? Mark Kayser shows you exactly how to find it.

Smith & Wesson Honors America's 250th Anniversary with Limited-Edition Model 1854

Smith & Wesson has announced the launch of its America 250 Limited Edition Model 1854 rifle, created to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.