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E-mail StoryLocal waterfowl legend Lemucchi’s life work has helped to bring joy to generations of duck hunters
| Thursday, Apr 17 2008 6:49 PM
Last Updated: Friday, Apr 18 2008 7:55 AM
Duck hunters have always taught their children to duck hunt, and they, in turn, teach their own issue about the sport — it has been done this way since time began, and will continue until the world ends. But, without this never-ending educational process, there would be no future, technical advancement or knowledge of things learned to continue the sport.
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Roy Lemucchi of Bakersfield is one of the most revered duck hunters in the U.S.
One does not have to be a direct son or daughter to receive this educational training in the art of waterfowling, because duck hunters unselfishly give what they already possess to anyone concerned with keeping the birds heading south. That is the nature of the men and women who spend quality time in the marshes.
You see, duck hunters are a rare-breed, a closely knit community made up of men and women of honor, character and a deeply, religious love of the outdoors and the waterfowl they passionately enjoy. Most are hardworking, successful and willing to share their knowledge of life and lore with their comrades-in-arms. Although they come from varied walks of life, the fraternity works, toils and gives their money willingly to keep waterfowl returning. This column is written with one of these unselfish people in mind.
Kern County's duck hunting history stands world famous. At one time, our county teemed with millions of waterfowl, and some sportsmen thought the sheer numbers of birds were endless. Market hunters harvested thousands, selling the succulent birds to restaurants in San Francisco and beyond, while scores of successful duck clubs dotted the county. During that era, thousands of hunters slogged through the cattails, fog and mud getting to blinds before sunrise, but unfortunately, by the late 1930s, the water and ducks had dried up and the hunters vacated.
Enter Ducks Unlimited. Through its efforts, ducks and geese across the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Kern County got a shot in the arm through duck stamp sales, allowing hunters to purchase sorely needed wetlands. In short time, the ducks returned, but the new era hunters needed someone to teach them how to attract and hunt the renewed resource. Movie stars came and hunted here, as well as princes, commoners, politicians, kings and other royalty, but most had not a clue how to redevelop the area for habitat construction and hunting.
One man stood up for the task, Bakersfield's own Roy Lemucchi. Taking the bull by the horns in the 1940s, Lemucchi began lending his experience and expertise to the hunters, providing invaluable assistance gleaned from his youth and years of farming and waterway development. Using selfless hard work and armed with the wealth of information at his fingertips, Roy began setting up private wetlands. Using his understanding of wetland foods and water to create ponds and attract ducks, his successes eventually catapulted him into a success story.
Lemucchi has created many duck clubs in his life, most in desert-like areas devoid of natural water. Included in the long list are memorable ones, and the famous people he built them for--including the "Cherokee," an old boxcar-turned-clubhouse, for John Wayne. Roy enjoys relating his experiences with the "Duke" and Ward Bond, including poker games and whiskey-drinking, while discussing duck habitat with them and other stars.
From his youth through the present, Lemucchi has proudly stood for the ducks and the hunters, and his continuing efforts have not gone unnoticed by his peers. His now famous sign off, "Keep 'em flying," has become the catchword phrase among the duck hunters of the new era.
In 1997, Lemucchi was presented California Waterfowl's first Roy Lemucchi Award, the most prestigious conservation award in the state, given each year since to the person most dedicated to the development and management of local waterfowl habitat. No one deserved the accolades more than he.
Recently, Lemucchi was inducted into the elite "California Waterfowl Hall of Fame," a lifetime achievement award for his selfless outdoor work and for being a wildlife fund raiser for more than 65 years. California Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, Sportsman Night and many other groups know too well the importance of having Lemucchi's input on their side.
No one has ever deserved the lifetime achievement awards more than he, according to a multitude of friends.
Lemucchi, 87, is semi-retired, but remains active in several waterfowl organizations. He lives at home with June, his lovely wife of 63 years, and spends as much time as possible with his son Joe, daughters Linda, Laura and Lisa, and his merry band of grandchildren. Though he does not hunt as much as he used to, during hunting season he can occasionally be found dove hunting or hanging at the El Cinco Club, rebuilt and maintained by him from the early sixties. He loves arguing with friends or playing gin with the other members, and, by the way and of course, the club ranks among the most successful duck clubs in the country.
One of Roy's pet sayings tells it all about this man. "Never, ever, speculate -- always be certain in life, and cards."
Keep 'em flying, Roy.