More Than a Hunt: Why People Return to The Elms Year After Year
By Mrs. Kim Vasser Freeman
When people think about waterfowl hunting in Arkansas, they usually picture flooded timber, rice fields, cold mornings and ducks working over the decoys. And while all of that certainly matters, I’ve learned something after spending over 3 decades managing and hosting hunts here at The Elms.
People may come for the ducks or geese the first time…
But they come back for the experience.
At The Elms, we have always believed a successful hunt is about more than limits. It’s about the early mornings shared with friends and family, the stories told around the lodge after the hunt, and the traditions that keep people coming back season after season.
That has always been the foundation of The Elms.
A Tradition Rooted in Arkansas
Located in Altheimer, Arkansas, right in the heart of the Mississippi Flyway, The Elms has welcomed hunters from across the country for generations. This property is deeply rooted in Arkansas agriculture, conservation, and Southern hospitality.
Every season reminds us how special this region truly is. The flooded fields, timber, and natural habitat surrounding our property create the kind of waterfowl experience hunters dream about.
But maintaining a property like this takes work year-round. From habitat management to water control and conservation efforts, our team works hard long before opening day ever arrives.
A great waterfowl season doesn’t happen by accident.
More Than Just a Hunt
There are plenty of places someone can book a guided hunt, but at The Elms, we have always tried to create something more personal.
We want guests to feel welcomed from the moment they arrive at the lodge. Warm meals after cold mornings, comfortable accommodations, and guides who genuinely care about creating memorable experiences still matter here.
Some of my favorite moments each season happen outside of the blind entirely.
Watching fathers bring their sons for the first time.
Seeing old friends continue traditions they started years ago.
Hearing laughter fill the lodge after a long day in the field.
Those are the moments people remember most.
Why Arkansas Duck Hunting Still Matters
Over the years, waterfowl hunting has changed in many ways. Technology, social media, and even the way people view hunting have evolved. Today, it can sometimes feel like hunting is measured only by numbers — how many ducks were harvested or how fast a limit was filled.
But at The Elms, we still believe the best hunts cannot always be measured that way.
Some mornings the birds work perfectly.
Other mornings, Mother Nature reminds us who is really in control. Just ask a few of our hunters about Mother Nature during last year’s snow/ice storm!
That unpredictability is part of what makes waterfowl hunting so special.
Arkansas remains one of the greatest waterfowl destinations in the country because of its traditions, habitat, and connection to the Mississippi Flyway. There is simply nothing quite like hearing ducks overhead while sitting in the blind at daylight.
It never gets old.
Looking Ahead
As we prepare for another season at The Elms, I’m grateful for every guest who chooses to spend their time with us.
Our goal has never been simply to offer a hunt.
We want people to leave with memories they’ll carry for years to come.
Because long after the season ends, those stories and experiences are what truly last.
We look forward to welcoming both returning guests and new faces back to The Elms this upcoming season.
The coffee will be hot, the stories will be waiting, and somewhere out in the field, the ducks will be flying.
