By JOEY LEE • Photos courtesy of JOHN MONTFORT JONES
The Delta’s Sweetest Hunting Tradition
There’s something special about the bond between daddies and daughters. Some would say it’s almost as strong as the bond between daddies and—duck hunting. And there’s one local crew of girl dads who are strengthening that bond by sharing their passion for duck hunting with their daughters.
Each year, over the first weekend of February, these dads gather their girls for a weekend built on time together, laughter, memories, and a little duck hunting.
The annual Daddy–Daughter Duck Hunt began in 2023, when four friends—John Montfort Jones, Gene Stock, Will Ayres, and Brian VanLandingham—decided to take their daughters hunting during the youth weekend.
“Usually when people come up with ideas, they never happen,” John Montfort, father of Mollie, 8, says. “But Brian and I were like, ‘We’re going to make this happen.’” And they did.
With waders, guns, and gear in place, the dads set out to treat the girls like royalty and give them a weekend that showed just how much they’re loved and valued.
For Will, the idea resonated from the start. “My friends’ sons naturally get more chances to hunt than the girls do,” he says. “We wanted to create something special just for the girls, something they can look forward to every year.” His daughters, Bea, 13, Kathleen, 9, and haven’t missed a trip yet.
Brian, father to Grace, 12, and Ann Latham, 10, feels the same. “I’m just thankful for the opportunity to spend time with my daughters and create memories,” he says. “I feel like that strong bond gives them a backbone for challenges later in life.”
The weekend begins with an afternoon of side-by-side rides, scouting, and playing around camp. They also play games, listen to Gene’s steady stream of jokes, and watch John Montfort make sure every piece of gear is in perfect shape.
“Each dad brings something unique,” Will says. “It’s a true team effort, not just for our own daughters but for every girl on the hunt.”
They have a big dinner and gather around the fire for s’mores. The girls stay up late talking and laughing while the dads soak in these moments, aware of how quickly childhood moves and how rare this kind of uninterrupted time is.
The tradition has strengthened their friendships as well. “All four of us share the same passion for hunting and the outdoors, and we all grew up together,” Brian says. “In today’s world, it means something knowing those other fathers are looking out for your daughter.”
The boat rides have become a favorite part for the kids. “Our children feel like it’s almost a Disney World ride as we go to each hunting spot,” Gene says. His daughters, Maggie, 11, and Liza, 9, light up every time the motor cranks.
“They really don’t care whether we kill ducks or not,” John Montfort says. “They just enjoy spending time with each other and with me.”
Nine-year-old Kathleen Ayres loves “being with my friends and my dad and duck hunting. And getting all suited up is fun.” Slow hunts don’t faze her. “Last year we didn’t kill any ducks; we couldn’t find any,” she says, giggling.
Her sister, Bea, loves the social side just as much as the hunt. “We listen to music in the blind and play games while we wait on the ducks,” she says. Some of her favorite memories involve the dads, too. “One time we got all the dads to sing Taylor Swift songs,” she says. “That was fun!”
For these fathers, the time outdoors changes the dynamic in a way that nothing else does. “Out there, the girls are laughing, having fun, fully in the moment,” Will says.
“No screens, no distractions. Just making memories.” Brian agrees. “It’s the small things you remember from your dad or someone special,” he says. “That trust, that bond—you build it in moments like these.”
“We want the girls to love being outside and love the time with their dads, but we also want them to learn gun safety and why it’s important,” John Montfort explained. “We teach things like muzzle awareness, trigger discipline, being sure of the target and wearing eye and ear protection. Safety skills help them become confident and capable outdoorswomen, ready for any adventure!”
As the girls have grown, so has their confidence. When the hunt first started, most of them were too small to handle a gun. Now they’re learning to shoot, call ducks, and understand the love of being outdoors.
For Gene, that’s what he hopes lasts. “I hope they remember their dad teaching them how to hunt and how to be outdoorswomen,” he says. “How to shoot their shotguns and enjoy being outside.”
For Brian, the hope reaches further. “One day they’ll appreciate the time and effort their daddy took to give them that opportunity,” he says. “Just the memories we make being outdoors together—that’s what I hope sticks.”
There’s a lesson here for all dads: share your passion with your daughters. All it takes is a little planning and a commitment to making memories. It doesn’t matter what you do—duck hunting, fishing, anything you’re passionate about. The important thing is to show your daughter she’s worth your time, that she’s worth showing up for.
“You just want your daughter to know that she’s your absolute world,” John Montfort says. “And this is one way we show them.”
