"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

Learn To Make Meat Inset3
Learn To Make Meat Inset3

Does This Bioethicist Want to Make Us All Allergic to Meat?

When Dr. S. Matthew Liao, a “bioethicist” affiliated with the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the director of the Center for Bioethics at New York University (NYU), floated the idea of deliberately making people allergic to red meat, he created a counterreaction that still reverberates on social media today.

How To Pull Coyotes Close

Use these strategies to lure coyotes into confident shooting range.

New for 2026: Savage 110 Trophy Series

Savage Arms has introduced its 110 Trophy Series. As part of the overhaul of the Model 110, the 110 Trophy Series is a four-gun lineup of rifles incorporating the 110 Trail Blazer, 110 Trail Blazer XP, 110 Ridge Hunter and 110 Carbon Hunter.

#SundayGunday: Dead Air Nomad 30

This week on #SundayGunday, we’re checking out the Dead Air Nomad 30, the 30-caliber hunting stalwart of Dead Air’s suppressor lineup. The stainless-steel can tips the scales at less than a pound, despite being rated for calibers up to .300 Norma Magnum, and 4400 ft.-lbs. of energy. For more on the Nomad 30, check out this exclusive video.

Eye on the Future of Hunting and Conservation

The dedication to passing on the enthusiasm and understanding of hunting’s role shows in the number of courses, seminars and special hunts already on the calendar with various state game and fish departments, and conservation organizations. Here are a few that crossed my desk just last week, but there are dozens of others—likely a few near you.

Funding Boost for Migration Corridors

On Feb. 11 Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgrum announced nearly $8 million would be added to the Western Big Game Seasonal Habitat and Migration Corridors grant program’s base funding of $2 million this year.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.