As 'The Blind' opens in theaters, 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson recalls first hunt

Editor's note: As the Phil and Kay Robertson biopic movie "The Blind" opens in theaters this week, it seemed appropriate to recall the "Duck Dynasty" patriarch's first successful duck hunt as a boy on Moon Lake in Caddo Parish. Phil Robertson's vivid memories of that cold day more than 65 years ago helps explain what became a lifetime passion for hunting. Following is that story from reporter Greg Hilburn, who has covered the family since the "Duck Dynasty" phenomenon began in 2012.

Phil Robertson remembers his first duck hunt as if it was yesterday.

In 1957, he was living with his parents in Caddo Parish in northwestern Louisiana near Moon Lake.

"I had my daddy's old Browning shotgun, and I was 11 years old," he said. "I walked about 2 miles from the house and was standing on the edge of Moon Lake."

It was cold that day, about 35 degrees, and Phil said he was wearing blue jeans and tennis shoes. "We didn't have warm clothes or hip boots or waders or anything like that," he said.

Soon, three teal and a pintail hen swung out to his left.

"I raised up and that Browning barked three times," Phil said. "As amazing as it sounds, I got two out of three on my first volley."

The ducks fell about 40 yards aways into the lake, so he stripped off his clothes and dog-paddled out to retrieve them.

"I was as naked as a jaybird," he siad.

Back on dry land, Robertson quickly pulled on his clothes, oblivious to the cold, and ran the entire 2 miles back to the house.

"I said, 'Dad, I've got two ducks for us to eat; what kind are they?'" Phil said.

His dad identified a "pretty fat" teal and pintail and "told me to pick (pluck) them and give them to Momma to cook for dinner."

"I felt like a grown man," Robertson said. "I've been after ducks ever since."

More: 'The Blind' movie tells the stormy story of Phil Robertson before 'Duck Dynasty'

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.

This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: 'Duck Dynasty's' Phil Robertson recalls first hunt as 'The Blind' opens