Linn Duesterbeck

For duck hunters, transformative life moments often occur on Day 1 in a duck blind. An enthusiastic youngster dressed in a too-loose hunting jacket spies the day's first ducks cupping over the decoys, swings through the trigger pull just like he learned at the range and reaps the reward of a Lab's hard-charging retrieve while a wisp of powder lingers to flavor the unfolding memory.

Linn Duesterbeck dreamed of just such a moment, but as a "little brother," he had to wait his turn.

"My older brother, Lee, got to go first. I was always envious," Linn Duesterbeck said. "You know if my older brother got to go duck hunting, I should get to go, too." Soon enough, he'd get his wish.

"My dad took my brother and I out to a blind that he rented on the south shore of Lake Koshkonong," Linn Duesterbeck recalled. "I remember I was probably 7 years old and all I did was sit in the blind, but I was fascinated by the birds, the calling, the outdoors. It was an easy thing to get into my blood."

At age 9, young Linn finally was allowed to carry a shotgun, a Stevens .410 he still proudly owns.

"I can still see it happening. Two green-winged teal lit outside of the decoys. Dad said, 'They're getting closer.' I let them get inside the decoys, and I put the shell in the gun. Bam! I got it. I was gleaming."

A short time later, Linn Duesterbeck achieved another first: A giant Canada goose. And it truly was a giant, weighing in at 14 pounds.

"I won a pair of Redwing boots for the largest Canada goose shot that year," he recalled.

Linn's obsession with waterfowl hunting grew. As young adults, Linn and Lee traveled to the Delta Waterfowl Research Station in 1975 after having read about the continent's premier waterfowl research program. The brothers toured Delta's Manitoba headquarters with Peter Ward, assistant director. The brothers continued north to Lake Winnipegosis, where they met Delta research student Robert Bailey.

"The trip was a real eye-opener about waterfowl," Linn Duesterbeck said. He immediately began donating to support Delta's work.

On Oct. 23, 1985, another transformative life moment occurred for Linn Duesterbeck. His big brother Lee — Linn's hunting partner and best friend — succumbed to cancer.

"We did everything together," Linn Duesterbeck said. "When he passed away, we gave a significant donation to Delta in Lee's honor. Soon after, I received a letter from Peter Ward, and I still treasure it today. That meant an awful lot, especially the closing sentence."

The letter reads:

We are honored that you would think of this isolated spot in honoring the memory of your brother. Something rings in my mind about "Of Marshes and Men" by Paul Errington who similarly loved those wetland places where time stands still.

If ever you should care to return, let me know. Delta is still wild but the ducks which once bred are gone. Our generation played a major role in their demise. With the passage of time and a better understanding of their needs, we must bring them back.

Linn Duesterbeck took Peter Ward's words as a personal call to action for waterfowl conservation. He has practiced an impressive level of waterfowl stewardship throughout his life by developing and caretaking local wetland habitat. He currently maintains 60 wood duck boxes and 15 Hen Houses in southern Wisconsin.

In addition, Linn Duesterbeck places a high priority on making sure waterfowl on breeding grounds far away from his Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, home get the needed attention to thrive. For that, he trusts Delta Waterfowl to deliver duck production, habitat conservation, and innovative research to maintain strong waterfowl populations throughout North America.

"If you guys want to see more ducks and shoot more ducks, come on, put up some wood duck boxes and Hen Houses," he said. "Maybe people don't have the fire I do, and maybe they don't have the opportunities I do, but they can contribute by supporting Delta so they can do the work. If you're going to be part of taking this resource, you have to give back."

Linn Duesterbeck, a life member and gold level sponsor, has been donating to Delta Waterfowl since 1975.

After a long and successful career owning a commercial real estate appraisal firm, Duesterbeck is enjoying retirement. Travels have taken him around the world in pursuit of waterfowl and other game, and he rarely, if ever, misses an autumn day in his favorite Lake Koshkonong duck blind. Now 74 years old, he cherishes every experience afield.

True to his character, Duesterbeck plans to leave a legacy for all future waterfowl hunters. He's pledged an end-of-life gift and recently began donating his annual required minimum distribution from his 401k plan to Delta to increase his impact for ducks and duck hunting.

"I have so much respect for the people at Delta," he said. "I see how dedicated they are and the passion they have for waterfowl conservation. They love what they do. It's an inspiration to me. I believe in the mission of Delta Waterfowl. I'm all in." —Paul Wait