Interview with John Godwin
Q: Who introduced you to duck hunting?
A: I grew up hunting deer with my father. When I was about fourteen, James Preston moved into a house down the street. He was about twice my age, but we both loved to work on and ride dirt bikes together. James opened the door to duck hunting for me. I loved to hunt deer as a child, but nothing could compare to the social sport of waterfowling. Talking and laughing was a new element of hunting that was foreign to me as a deer hunter.
After I became fluent to the world of waterfowl, I really took an interest in duck calls. My air pressure from playing the trumpet in high school gave me a head start in the calling world. My father and I went to a duck call contest to watch my neighbor, James, compete. Just about the time the contest had started, my dad informed me that he had entered me into the contest. Shocked and very nervous, I started to warm up. Dad asked me if I wanted to use an old Duck Commander call that I had. I told him "heck no, that thing wont ring one lick". I didn't know that Phil Robertson was judging the contest or that he was sitting right in front of me when I said that. Phil turned around and said that he was the one that builds those calls. He asked me if he could cut on the reeds a little bit. So he took the call apart and clipped the reeds and told me to use it in the competition. So I did. I ended up winning third place and beating James. It's kind of a funny story that I insulted my future boss (The Duck Commander) the first time we met, but it all worked out.
Q: What is your favorite Duck Commander call?
A: DC 800 Cut Down Reacher
Q: What is your favorite Movie?
A: By now you ought to know that everyone's favorite movie is Outlaw Josie Whales, but second to that is Jeremiah Johnson.
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Rib-eye steak cooked medium rare.
Q: If you couldn't duck hunt, what would you do in your spare time?
A: I would love to take a trophy bull elk in either New Mexico or Colorado.
Q: Talk about your job at Duck Commander and what roles you take on.
A: During the off-season I build calls with Jason. I am also the supply manager. In that position I mainly make sure we have enough supplies for the duck call, boxes, DVDs, shirts, etc. Some of my other duties include overseeing the shipping department, and I travel with Phil to the shows.
Q: Talk about your role in the field and what part of hunting you specialize in.
A: During the season my main title is the decoy technician. I figure out the exact spot the decoys are placed, and I also work on all equipment after the hunt. I handle all the decoys, Mojo Mallards, guns, shells, and choke tubes that we have, and make sure that everything is up and running for the next hunt.
Q: Talk about your background before you came to work at Duck Commander.
A: As I noted earlier, when I was young I loved to race motocross. I got fairly competitive throughout the years and raced all over the country including the Astrodome in Houston, Texas Stadium in Dallas, and also a few races in Colorado. I was the 1978 Mississippi State Champion, and I raced against some big name people like Jeff Ward, Mike Brown, and David Bailey. I would have to say that most of the adrenaline from motocross comes from getting big air on the jumps.
I also spent six years riding bulls. I rode in the Tri-State Rodeo Association, and the L.R.C.A. My worst injury came about when I got slung down and stepped on. I luckily only ended up with two cracked ribs. My highest score was an 85 and I won that event in Bastrop, Louisiana. Bull riding was definitely a different kind of rush. I've been knocked unconscious bad enough to think my name was Elvis, and stayed on long enough to win a few events.
Working for Duck Commander has been a blessing, and I am one of few full time employees outside the family. I will definitely say that the Robertson's are very giving and passionate people, and I have become family through Christ.