Happy 85th, Ducks Unlimited! Love, Winchester

For 85 years, Ducks Unlimited has worked to keep the skies and waters rich with wild wings.

posted on September 20, 2022
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

The story of duck hunting is the story of America. From sea to shining sea, at least 29 different duck species ply the flyways, inlets and ponds in their hundreds of thousands, igniting the imagination. It wasn't always that way; back in the 19th century, market hunting (which is very different from the sport hunting we engage in today) had nearly silenced the clatter of all those wild wings. The ecological disaster we now know as the "Dust Bowl" made it even worse. By 1937, American sportsmen and women created Ducks Unlimited (DU), a conservation and advocacy group determined to save our wetlands and waterfowl. That was 85 years ago, and DU isn't settling into any rocking chairs any time soon. 

Ducks Unlimited's mission, of course, requires money. Given the fact that dedicated duck hunters love Winchester shotshells for their efficacy and consistency, the partnership is as natural as a patch of flooded timber. Winchester's celebrating the last 85 years of conservation (and looking forward to the next 85) with a limited-edition Winchester XPERT steel waterfowl load. The limited-edition Winchester XPERT steel waterfowl load, packaged in an attractive and collectible box, is available in 12-gauge, 3" shells with a 1¼-oz. payload of number 2 shot, traveling 1,400 feet per second. 

Of course, no birthday gift is complete without a "card," and Winchester's sent one in the form of this fun and informative video. Wish Ducks Unlimited a happy birthday with Winchester brand ambassadors Melissa Bachman, Nikki Boxler and more ... Happy Birthday, Ducks Unlimited, and may there be many more! 

Latest

NRA Women The Armed Citizen Aiming A Pistol
NRA Women The Armed Citizen Aiming A Pistol

The Armed Citizen® Reload March 13, 2026

How many times do we have to say it: Do NOT threaten a mom and her children. It will not end well.

The NRA Thrives When Membership Grows: All Members Must Do Their Part

The best way to ensure that the NRA will be around for another 155 years is to recruit new members.

4 Benefits to Being Part of a Firearm Training Team

If you are going to have a successful firearms training school, you are going to need some help.

4 Tips to Prepare for Your First Western Hunt

Going out West for a hunt this fall? It’s very different from how you might be used to hunting. Here are some tips for getting in shape and making the most of your trip.

 

The First Covey Rise: A Shooter’s Lessons in Quail Hunting

A longtime shotgunner but first-time hunter shares importance advice learned from her inaugural venture into the field.

The Armed Citizen® Reload March 6, 2026

Sometimes there is only one response to a violent home invasion or domestic abuse with the threat of death. These women had the answer.

Women's Interests



Get the best of NRA Women delivered to your inbox.