Armistice Day, more commonly known as Veterans Day, commemorates the end of World War I between the Allies and Germany. But for duck hunters, it has a much different significance—it’s the deadliest day in waterfowling history. November 11, 1940, started out as a bluebird day in the mid-50s. It had been an unseasonably warm winter so far, but things were about to change.
Hunters learned of the impending cold front across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes regions. With a slow start to the season, they were eager to get into the duck blinds in hopes of fresh birds. Hunters grabbed their shotguns and launched their boats in hopes of a great day in the duck woods. Soon after, temperatures began to drop, and the birds showed up in droves. Hunters rejoiced at the sight of thousands of fresh mallards, redheads, and bluebills heading south. However, they were unaware of the reason behind the birds’ mass exodus.
On the heels of thousands of migrating ducks was a storm no one was prepared for. The storm began in the Pacific Northwest, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake and collapsing the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. It then headed Southeast, eventually redeveloping in Colorado before heading North to the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes. In some places, the storm produced winds topping 80 mph.
What started as a mild storm, with an abundance of ducks, quickly turned deadly. Many hunters overstayed their welcome, opting to shoot a few extra ducks rather than heading to shelter and safety. When it was time to head back, hunters were met with a full-on blizzard and waves that were unavigable for even sea-worthy boats, let alone the duck boats of the time. Those who tried braving the waves and winds capsized, and those who tried to seek shelter struggled to make fires and stay warm.
Many hunters spent the night in one of the worst blizzards of the last century. As the sun rose and the storm had passed, search and rescue efforts began across the storm’s path. Rescuers scanned the banks for hunters, many clinging to life, and some frozen to death from cold exposure. In the end, 85 duck hunters were found dead.
In the end, the duck hunter’s willingness to brave bad weather to shoot a few more birds during this mass migration event proved futile. Luckily for hunters today, modern weather forecasts provide a better understanding of what storms are approaching and when to call a hunt. But the moral of the story is to never let birds cloud your judgment. No bird is worth your life.