Lawrence Villwock lived his entire life in a farm house along the Rock River, just a stones throw away from the Horicon Marsh. I stopped by to visit with Lawrence to learn a little more about his memories of my family, as our Muche family homestead (where my grandfather grew up) was just a half mile down the road in what is now the Horicon Wildlife Refuge. Lawrence was a wonderful storyteller and I enjoyed sitting with him in his home as he reminisced of his past experiences and memories.

Seasons 2 Remember - Conversations with a Sportsman

Sitting with Lawrence Villwock

Bryan Muche and THIRSTY The Duck ask listeners to urge state legislators to increase the price of the Wisconsin Waterfowl Stamp to raise more money for wetlands habitat management.

Outdoors Radio with Dan Small - Interview with THIRSTY The Duck

The Greatest Fish Story Ever Told. Emerson Hough in 1892 published the Kekoskee Fish Story in the national outdoor journal Forest and Stream.  In the spirit of old time radio and in the tradition of oral story telling this outdoor sporting treasure reveals classic lore and legend which occurred near the Horicon Marsh in the state of Wisconsin. 

The Kekoskee Fish Story

On March 29, 2016 Dick Wanie (80 yrs.old) of Fort Atkinson, WI  shared his memories of growing up on the Horicon Marsh.  Dick is a duck hunter, a historian and author of "Horicon to Koshkonong". Dick retells the history of Lake Koshkonong and the great numbers of Canvasback that once gathered there.  Years of market hunting and the many hunt clubs that once operated on the lake.  Dick reflects on the special connection of taking your children hunting and into the outdoors, memories created with his son Matt that he will never forget.

009 - Dick Wanie: Lake Koshkonong Canvasbacks, Hunting Memories with Son Matt

On March 29, 2016 Dick Wanie (80 yrs.old) of Fort Atkinson, WI  shared his memories of growing up on the Horicon Marsh.  Dick is a duck hunter, a historian and author of "Horicon to Koshkonong". The most important part of the hunt is having a good hunting partner to share the experience. Dick shares a lifetime of hunting memories on the marsh, fondly recalling early hunts beginning when he was in the 8th grade.

008 - Dick Wanie: Good Hunting Partners and Marsh Hunting Memories

On March 29, 2016 Dick Wanie (80 yrs.old) of Fort Atkinson, WI  shared his memories of growing up on the Horicon Marsh.  Dick is a duck hunter, a historian and author of "Horicon to Koshkonong". Dick shares memories of his first duck hunt, experiences jump shooting or "punching the bog" and missing the first day of basketball practice for another chance to hunt ducks on the marsh.

007 - Dick Wanie: First Duck Hunt, "Punching the Bog", A Missed Practice to Hunt Ducks

On March 29, 2016 Dick Wanie (80 yrs.old) of Fort Atkinson, WI  shared his memories of growing up on the Horicon Marsh.  Dick is a duck hunter, a historian and author of "Horicon to Koshkonong". Describes his father, Barney Wanie as a "common sense" game warden. Shares stories of a last sharptail grouse hunt for two soldiers before their afternoon train left taking them to the Korean War.

006 - Dick Wanie: A Common Sense Warden, Last Grouse Hunt before Train Leaves for Korea

On March 29, 2016 Dick Wanie (80 yrs.old) of Fort Atkinson, WI  shared his memories of growing up on the Horicon Marsh.  Dick is a duck hunter, a historian and author of "Horicon to Koshkonong". His father Barney Wanie was a game warden and rough fish manager for over 30 years at Horicon. Dick also recalls stories of Curley Radke, a man who organized and championed the restoration of the Horicon Marsh.

005 - Dick Wanie: Remembers his Dad - Barney Wanie, Carp Trapping and Curley Radke

A special thanks to Buddy "the Doctor" Wiegelman, a true professional, for providing some cool improvised riffs on guitar for us. Buddy “the Doctor” Wiegelman a professional rock star, Buddy has performed with many great musicians, and his bands have toured with Rush, The Scorpions, and John Mellencamp. He is a professional musician, playing music in and around the Chicagoland area for more than 40 years. Buddy owns and has operated Dr Woods Guitar Emporium for more than 20 years ago, wanting to share his love of music with others in the community. 

Guitar Instrumental - "Migrating into the Wind"

Great Day with Son Russ - Marsh Mishap - Premier Duck Season of 1938 On March 15, 2016 Don Miescke (83 yrs.old) of Horicon, WI shared his family history and stories from the Horicon Marsh. Don is a hunter, historian of the Horicon area and author of the book "Horicon Marsh History". Memories of a great day on the marsh, hunting ducks with his son Russ. Getting wet with a duck overhead and his gun shot sending him overboard falling out of his boat.  After several seasons of low water on the Horicon Marsh, the Fall of 1938 brought water which resulted in great shooting and an abundance of ducks on the Marsh.

004 - Don Miescke: Great Day with Russ, Marsh Mishap, Premier Duck Season of 1938

Market Gunners Shot from a Punt Gun - The Diana Shooting Club On March 15, 2016 Don Miescke (83 yrs.old) of Horicon, WI shared his family history and stories from the Horicon Marsh. Don is a hunter, historian of the Horicon area and author of the book "Horicon Marsh History". Don shares story of Max Miescke's big shot from a punt gun taking over 90 ducks on a moonlit night with one shot.  Hunting for the market, these ducks were packed into barrels and shipped by train to east coast restaurants. History including stories of the fabled Diana Shooting club which started in 1880 on the Herman Miescke property located on the west side of the Marsh.

003 - Don Miescke: Market Gunners Shot, Diana Shooting Club

First Duck Hunt - Last Duck Season before the Korean War On March 15, 2016 Don Miescke (83 yrs.old) of Horicon, WI shared family history and stories from the Horicon Marsh. Don is a hunter, a historian of the Horicon area and author of the book "Horicon Marsh History". Retelling his memories of shooting his first duck with his dad while shouldering his grandfather's Browning Auto 5. Later Don remembers taking time off work to hunt everyday of his last duck season before joining the Air Force and leaving for the Korean War.

002 - Don Miescke: First Duck and Last Duck Season before the Korean War

Early Recollections - First Duck Hunt On March 15, 2016 Don Miescke (83 yrs.old) of Horicon,WI shared his family history and stories from the Horicon Marsh. Don is a hunter, a historian of the Horicon area, and author of the book "Horicon Marsh History". Telling of his early recollections of childhood and growing up near the Horicon Marsh and his first duck hunting experience with his dad in 1940. Don's family, first settled on "Lake Horicon" in 1855 from Germany.

001 - Don Miescke: Early Recollections and First Duck Hunt

A Collection of Stories that preserve and share the cultural heritage of the American Outdoor Sportsman. Through Conversations with Sportsman, their stories of experience come to life, illustrating in a personal way the connection of People, Places, Tradition and Adventure. Listen to their History and Experiences of Great Days Afield with Rod and Gun, duck hunting, fishing, big game hunting and much more… Learn what it is to be an American Sportsman by this Oral Archive of History and Personal Storytelling.

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Seasons 2 Remember - Conversations with a Sportsman

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