Cambridge's Megan Watts is a huntress living a fowl life— and loving every bit of it
Written by Kristen Hampshire
At age seven, Megan Watts greeted her father at the door after he returned home from one of many regular camping and hunting excursions—most weekends, actually. After watching him bring back harvests of ducks, she asked the question.
“When is it my turn?”
Her supportive mother wasn’t thrilled. “She didn’t grow up in an outdoorsy hunting family,” explains Megan, relating that the deal was to join the Maryland 4-H Foundation and learn hunting safety. So, she did and fell in love with the sport, the community of nature lovers she met and the competition, as well.
Today, Megan is the Waterfowl Queen, a huntress living a fowl life and loving every bit of it.
She represents the brands Syren, Kent Cartridge and on behalf of her dog, Wren, Legends Dog Food. She consistently sweeps her division in state championships and is also an avid angler, notably winning the Big Seafood Blast D class 1st place.
Patience and a strong mind are essential elements for success. “They go together,” Megan says, noting that hunting calls for lots of waiting and watching. “You need a watchful eye.”
Gearing up for the 2024 Waterfowl Festival in Easton, Coastal Style sat down with Megan to learn how she got her start, what motivates her and how she’s handled being an industry influencer.
What drew you to the outdoors and your sport?
I started out in elementary school after completing hunter safety, using a little 20-gauge shot gun that I used for the first couple of years I went hunting with my dad and his friend. At age eight, I got my first duck, a Bufflehead. The same year, I got my first geese. My dad had stepped out of the blind. I was with his best friend, who saw two geese and said, ‘There are two coming your way and they are all yours.’ I dropped one and then got the other. My dad missed the whole thing!
During my first time shooting skeet with 4-H, I hit four out of five clays. I was very excited, so I shot with Clay Busters for about a year with other girls and boys who were about twice my age. I stopped shooting skeet for a while—was always hunting—and I started competing in 2014 in high school. Then in 2015 when I was 17, my mom found a local shooting group with Caroline County 4-H Club. I qualified for the Maryland State 4-H shoot and made the Maryland team. We traveled to Nebraska for the 4-H finals.
What do you harvest?
I do hunt every species there is around here, though not rabbit or squirrel. I hunt mostly Widgeon and Gadwall duck. I like the way Widgeon ‘work.’ They are fully committed. There’s no half-way, ‘Oh, I’ll give you a fly by.’ If they are coming in, they’re coming in and sometimes it’s 10 to 15 at a time or 80. I’ve had a group I didn’t shoot into because you don’t want to educate the group when it’s that large, especially early in the season. Then, the rest of the season they are gun shy and decoy shy.
Otherwise, I hunt turkey, dove, duck, geese and Sitka deer that are not native and invasive. I also go fishing any opportunity I can get.
“I’ve been active in the Waterfowl Festival since I was really little.
My mom was the chief photographer at the ‘Star Democrat,’ and I would go with her when she covered the event. I was always fascinated with the classic, costumed goose and had to get a picture!”
How have you been involved in the Waterfowl Festival throughout the years?
I’ve been active in the Waterfowl Festival since I was really little. My mom was the chief photographer at the Star Democrat, and I would go with her when she covered the event. I was always fascinated with the classic, costumed goose and had to get a picture! And, for me, it’s always been about the art.
I’ve always enjoyed drawing nature pieces of fish and ducks. I graduated from Chesapeake College with an associate’s degree in art while I was there for allied health. I’m a certified dental assistant licensed to do radiology and pursuing my dental hygienist degree while I continue a strong shooting career.
How has your experience as a woman in the waterfowl field fostered growth?
I have never been out in Maryland and come across another female hunting, and I’ve only hunted with girls about three times in the last 16 years. While the sporting clay [crowd] can be more accepting and welcoming (you get help from the guys), the waterfowl industry can be intimidating. Some guys see you as a threat.
My involvement in the industry and in 4-H growing up has helped build me. I can assertively represent companies without being shy or waiting to be talked to first. I’ve recommended Syren to upcoming hunters and sporting clay shooters, and men will send me direct messages asking for their girlfriends, daughters and wives.
Don’t Miss Premiere Night!
Visit WaterfowlFestival.org to secure your tickets today!
Join the Waterfowl Festival to kick off its 53rd Festival in style on Thursday night, Nov. 7 for Premiere Night! Be the first to view this year’s Federal Duck Stamp and meet the winning artist, while also helping to celebrate its long-time volunteers and 2024 Hall of Fame inductees.
Premiere Night guests will have the first option to bid Thursday so don’t delay in buying your ticket for this special event! The auction will end Sunday at noon. As they have for over 30 years, the proceeds from the auction will benefit the William A. Perry Scholarship Fund.
These generous musicians are volunteering in support of Waterfowl Festival’s conservation mission during its Premiere Night festivities for its VIPs and Corporate Sponsors.