When I started in the early 80's young people didn't have the money to have a boat/motor, bunch of decoys,$1500.00 shotgun and clothes/waders to stay even somewhat warm or at least bearable. All the duck hunters I knew and saw besides my 2 buddies (same age as me) were in their mid 30's or 40's on up.
Now, same as bass boats, there are bearded wonder kids with 18' war eagles, mud motors or late model 4 stroke outboards and a doublecab 4x4 v8 f250 or equivalent going at it with equipment we could only dream about back then. Where the money comes from, I have no clue. But they are out there, lots of them.