OUR STORY
Frank A. Heidelbauer
Frank was born in 1918 on a small farm in rural Iowa. As a young boy on the farm, he learned how to read ducks and call them by mouth. He fed and cared for dozens of wild Mallards retrieved from nests by his German-immigrant father who had saved them from the haying blade. He loved hunting as a young boy, but lost his ability to call ducks by mouth when he reached puberty. Thus the search began for a duck call that could exactly mimic a live duck. He traded a few shotgun shells for his first duck call and began tinkering with the anvil or sounding board to create his dreamed of masterpiece. He had little success to being with. During those years he was confounded by the fact that temperature and humidity changes did not agree with wood and cork. The calls would never retain the sound he was looking for.
Then came World War II. He was a bush pilot flying through the mountains of China, Burma,and India supporting Vinegar Joe Stillwell’s Fifth Chinese Army. He flew 305 missions over the “hump” in the Himalayan Mountains. He was said to have pioneered the lowest altitude route over the “hump.” This was very important to the service men as Frank could transport cold beverages (Beer!) over the “hump” without them exploding or popping the tops. He survived two near fatal crashes. He returned home a decorated veteran, earning Distinguished Flying Crosses.
It was during the war that he discovered the new “miracle plastics” is what he thought he needed to maintain the integrity of sound he desired. Upon his return home he purchased some acrylic rods and nylon sleeves and began shaping. He tried wide-troughed sounding boards, narrow-troughed, deep-troughed, shallow-troughed, step angles, and shallow angles until he found the perfect combination. He happened upon the sound of a goose first with the breaking of sound from low to high. This eventually led to The Mallard Toller. He had the sound of ducks and geese he longed for. Calls that could be blown softly for working close in birds yet could be blown with all you’ve got to reach far out, often times in high winds. All of this achieved with a single reed call that would hold its tune indefinitely.
In the 1930’s he had many of the calls made by the great call makers of the time, but finally lost the sounding device out of each and every one of them. He decided that when he made his duck and goose calls they would screw together. And they do! This was the second important achievement he desired.
Through the next 40 some years he ceaselessly strove to make improvements whenever possible. The design and superior craftsmanship made Frank’s Mallard Toller a coveted, one-of-a-kind tool valued by both everyday hunters and collectors alike. He was a perfectionist!
Frank passed away at the age of 84 on November 14, 2002 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was still an active hunter and fisherman well into his later years, having just completed an annual family duck and goose hunting trip just four days prior to his death. In his later years, he spent much of his time creating hand-crafted fishing jigs and lures. Frank’s passing coincided with the 50th Anniversary of his famous Mallard Toller.
Our Service and Dedication to Ducks Unlimited
My grandfather was very insistent upon giving back to that which has given to us. In South Dakota he was known as “Grandpa DU” or “Grandpa Duck.” In the early 1970’s Frank was asked to become the State Chairman of South Dakota Ducks Unlimited. During his year as South Dakota State Chairman chapters increased from four to more then 30. In the many years that followed he held numerous positions including Chapter Chairman, Area and Zone Chairman, a member of the State Council, South Dakota State Delegate, National Trustee, National Trustee Emeritus, was on dozens of local committees with many positions, and State Major Donor Chairman, as well as more. He donated thousands of dollars worth of duck and goose calls over the years, but never cared to keep track of the exact dollar amount as that wasn’t important to him. Through these years he pledged and fulfilled a Life Sponsor commitment. In 1992 Ducks Unlimited dedicated a slough and wetlands area to Frank making him the first ever singular person to have a Ducks Unlimited project dedicated in their name. The governor of South Dakota proclaimed it Frank Heidelbauer Day as political and business leaders came in from 16 different states for the dedication and celebration. Now, the highest award given to a senior volunteer in South Dakota is called “The Frank Heidelbauer Award.” He is remembered every year with a special presentation of this award at the South Dakota State Ducks Unlimited Convention.
Through the many early days with my grandfather, I attended DU committee meetings as I had with my own father as a young boy. I now proudly serve on several local and state committees, am a State Delegate, and National Trustee in addition to other responsibilities. I too committed and fulfill mu Life Sponsor Pledge. Shortly before my grandfather’s passing, I pledged and fulfilled on his behalf Diamond Life Sponsor. He was the first ever Diamond Life Sponsor in South Dakota along with good friend Terry Boxdorfer. I have also upgraded and fulfilled my Sponsor in Perpetuity pledge. I am happy to be working towards my recent pledge of Grand Slam Diamond Sponsor in Perpetuity. I sadly have not kept track of the number of calls that I’ve donated nor the dollar amount rose, but am happy to say that it is a significant amount. I am honored to have the ability to make these special duck calls and use them to raise money “For the Ducks!”
Please join Ducks Unlimited and help keep yours and my passion alive. Check www.ducks.org for membership and or a fund raising dinner banquet in your area.