William Oehmig

At the tender age of 4, William "Billy" Oehmig was invited to begin accompanying his father on duck hunts when conditions were comfortable. He was too young to shoot, but as he watched mallards and pintails work the decoys, he knew his world had changed. The seeds were sown for a lifelong commitment to the hunting and conservation of North American waterfowl.

"I just fell in love with ducks," Oehmig said. "I'm 70 now and have a lifetime of special hunting memories to look back upon."

Oehmig began his career in 1974 as an international lender at a Houston bank, and in the ensuing years - along with being fast tracked to a leadership role - he became a volunteer and donor to a waterfowl conservation organization. His giving advanced in concert with his career, particularly in 1984 when he was named a partner at Sterling Group in Houston.

Hunting opportunities increased, too. Oehmig fondly recalls hunting south of Houston at his Blue Creek Ranch, and he remains a member of the Mud Lake Club in Hughes, Arkansas.

"I've primarily hunted Texas and Arkansas, but given the opportunity I'd hunt a duck just about anywhere," said Oehmig, who most enjoys sharing a blind with his son, William Jr. "In Arkansas the mallard is king, but having said that, I'd rather eat a teal than anything. Pintails are special, too. I also love woodies, but I restrict myself to a zero limit because it's a pleasure having them around all year."

Oehmig and his wife, Alice, discovered Delta Waterfowl in the 1990s, when they spent three days at a Predator Management site in North Dakota with Dr. Frank Rohwer. As Oehmig learned about the perils faced by nesting ducks - and the efficiency of Delta's duck production efforts - he felt a duty to support The Duck Hunters Organization.

"I got passionately entrenched in Delta's mission and regret that I didn't learn about it sooner," Oehmig said. "It was an incredible experience learning about the impacts of Predator Management on duck production and nest success rates. Delta's efforts have merit, and they generate results."

Oehmig began giving generously to Delta Waterfowl and even volunteered his time soliciting funds from like-minded duck hunters. He founded Kestrel Capital, a corporate investment firm in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and has remained a major donor to Delta's duck production programs.

"The effects of Predator Management on waterfowl populations are exponential, so to me, if you're an avid waterfowler, how can you not support Delta Waterfowl?" Oehmig said. "How could you not support something that successful? I think all of us who are true conservationists and have any desire to pass along the duck hunting legacy to our children are obligated to give to Delta Waterfowl." - Kyle Wintersteen