Whistling wings cut through the dark sky. A splash in front of the blind announces the morning’s first arrivals. Others follow. A mallard hen bellows out her intentions from straight over head. The faint glow on the surface exposes additional ducks that have landed. More birds chatter as they approach. Finally the announcement is made: shooting is legal. Only seconds pass before the silhouettes of a dozens greenheads cup into the decoys. The hunt is on.