Duck season may be over in Texas, but the hunt continues in Nederland.
A flock of rubber duckies have escaped the bathtub, and taken over parts of the town with a little help from Shawn Dunlap. They're all apart of a new game to help keep kids entertained, and spread a little cheer.
They're hiding in flower pots, guarding store fronts and even trying to blend in with the Easter bunny.
"I did it for the community, I did it for the kids that are going stir crazy and the parents, you can social distance within a safe haven and it just doesn't mean that you have to stay put at one time," Dunlap said.
Last Friday, Dunlap and a group of friends hid 50 ducks on Boston Avenue, from Nederland Avenue to Butcher's Korner. Ten of the ducks were hidden around Tex Ritter Park, also known as "The Windmill."
"What I hope to get out of it is just people being able to get together with their family and go out and just unplug for a while," Dunlap said.
Once the kids find the ducks, Dunlap says they can either keep them, or re-hide them for someone else to find. He says he's gotten a lot of "negative Nancy" posts telling him the game is a bad idea.
"Everybody's got their own opinions, and I get it, and you're entitled to your own opinions, but, also, you can't just live your life out of fear," Dunlap said.
Dunlap says if people are worried about spreading germs, they can still play the game without even touching the ducks.
"That's fine, just go out, take a picture and post them, or whatever, and it just brings excitement and joy to you," he said.
The game is something he and his family started playing every year on a cruise. Since they're not sure if they'll be able to go this year, they thought they'd bring the ducks to Nederland.
"Anybody can enjoy it, my kids, they're just now 13 years old and they enjoy it, and the adults, myself and some of the other people that hid them, they also enjoy it so it it is fun for all," Dunlap said.
He says it's a great way to get the kids out of the house, and take a break from everything surrounding the coronavirus.
"Stop worrying about things that are happening and spend some quality time that you have with you and your children or just to get out of the house and enjoy things and enjoy life," Dunlap said.