The Black Duck is the premiere puddle duck along much of the Atlantic tidewater and has always been paramount to our waterfowl hunters. As Van Campen Heilner wrote in his classic A Book on Duck Shooting: "Long Island isn't a state but I always like to think of it as the 49th State and its state duck should certainly be the Black Duck and nothin' else but." This grand species will be celebrated in an exhibit and documentary film called ON THE FALLING TIDE ~ The story of traditional Black Duck gunning on the South Shore of Long Island.  

Beginning in Jamaica Bay to the west and traveling east to Shinnecock Bay, the exhibit will describe the haunts and habits of this famously wary bird. Retired Ducks Unlimited Regional Director Craig Kessler and former NYSDEC Waterfowl Biologist Steve Sanford have assembled a team of experienced duck hunters to assist with this effort. Together, they have been collecting stories, photographs, decoys, gear and even boats. The special exhibit will showcase many of the different ways Black Ducks have been – and still are – pursued along the South Shore. In addition to numerous decoys, the Decoy Collectors display will include vintage boats and gear. Our newest DVD will play on a big screen and will feature interviews with veteran gunners and hundreds of images.