In this episode of Ten Minute Tuesday, the guys kick off Part 1 of a history lesson about a time when Minnesota duck hunters didn’t drive to the marsh, they took the train. As railroads expanded across Minnesota in the late 1800s, they opened access to remote lakes, marshes, and prairie potholes that had previously taken days to reach. Hunters followed the tracks, and the railroad quickly became a major part of Minnesota’s early duck hunting culture.
Of course, the guys don’t get very far before the history lesson goes completely off the rails. Between arguing about how smooth trains were in the 1800s, debating old railroad technology, and imagining what a modern duck hunting trip by train would look like, there’s plenty of joking around mixed in with the history. Eventually, they get into specialized hunting cars equipped with sleeping quarters, kitchens, game storage, and dog kennels, along with the actual Railroad Gun Club, whose train car essentially served as a mobile duck camp. The episode finishes at Lake Christina, where railroad access helped turn the famous canvasback lake into one of Minnesota’s legendary waterfowl destinations.
This is only Part 1 of the story. Part 2 continues Thursday on the Midwest Flyways Podcast, with more railroad history, duck hunting stories, and probably a few more arguments about trains.
Thanks for listening to the Midwest Flyways Podcast! Be sure to check out the Flyways Hunt Club for even more exclusive content every week.
Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club
New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana
Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite
(Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX
Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions
Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby
Support Conservation: DU
(Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear
Live Free: Turtlebox
Add motion to your spread: Flashback
Better Merch: /SHOP
