Charles Buller continues traditions of teal hunting to his sons and grandsons

Opening weekend of teal season this year began as usual for Charles Buller of Ville Platte. He went on the first day with his son, Ted, and Dr. Charles Fontenot on the doctor’s farm on Snook’s Road. That day, the trio killed 10 birds
The two Bullers returned the next day with two other hunters which made it a hunt to remember. The other hunters were Ted’s son, John Allen, and father-in-law, Clarence Castille.
“It was special because I was with my son and my grandson and his grandpa on the other side,” Charles said about hunting with the three generations. That made it very special.”
The day marked John Allen’s first duck hunt. “He didn’t have a gun because he’s too little to hunt,” Charles said.
It was also the first duck hunt for a young dog Charles is training. “We killed five ducks, and the dog retrieved all five birds,” he said.
Hunting teal with younger generations is nothing new for Charles as he has previously brought all of his three sons and eight grandsons. “I just love hunting,” he said. “It’s very special to be with those kids.”
He continued, “I brought them all, and I’ve shown them all how to hunt. I always thought if I can keep them talking to me in a boat or a duck blind then we were going to be ok, and I think it worked out pretty well.”
Charles is 80-years-old and has been hunting ducks since he was 12. “It’s a very special experience because you get to see the daylight,” he said. “That day with that little boy was a magnificent sunrise. It was just gorgeous, and, of course, we made a big deal with that. He enjoyed it, and we’re teaching him to enjoy the things that count.”
For Charles, duck hunting is his favorite because he likes to shoot birds. He also enjoys an occasional squirrel and dove hunt.
Charles acknowledged he always does well when he goes squirrel hunting. He said, “When I was young, I had dogs, and I would hunt squirrels with dogs. Then, I’d bring the kids with me.”
“The last 30 or 40 years, I guess,” he continued, “I hunt squirrels still hunting. That’s just by yourself. But, I still get a kick out of it. I bring the boys, and we go two or three together. We talk all the way there. We come out and brag about what we killed on the way home.”
As for deer hunting, Charles said, “I don’t hunt deer. I never did like it because it’s too quiet for me.”