Ducks Unlimited Podcast

With growing band recoveries and a newly implemented Breeding Population and Habitat Survey, waterfowl managers in the 1950s sought a more science-based understanding of population dynamics and harvest regulations. The 1960s brought plummeting waterfowl populations, reductions in harvest limits, declining hunter numbers, and shifts in waterfowl distribution. On this episode, Dr. Mike Brasher discusses these important changes and concerning times with Dale Humburg and Ken Babcock. Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: [email protected]:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

Spring is one of the most critical — and overlooked — periods for creating great duck hunting in the fall. In this episode, host Matt Harrison is joined by experienced land manager Guy Halbert to break down what spring land management really looks like and why the work done now sets the table for the entire waterfowl season.From one of the driest springs in recent memory to drawing down moist‑soil units, improving timber stands, controlling invasive vegetation, and planning for planting season, Guy shares real‑world experience, practical advice, and hard‑earned lessons from managing duck habitat year‑round.In this episode:Why spring is the foundation of successful duck seasonManaging through an unusually dry springTimber stand improvement: thinning, girdling & releasing oaksWhy sunlight and diversity matter in duck woodsHow to read vegetation & decide when to plant vs. let it grow naturallyThe value of keeping management notes & logs year‑to‑yearCrop rotation concepts for duck foodMoist‑soil management vs. planted crops like corn & milletWater control: the single most important management factorAdvice for first‑time landowners and new duck managersCommon mistakes & why slowing down saves money and habitatIf you’ve ever said “duck season will take care of itself,” this episode explains why spring is when the real work — and success — begins.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: [email protected]:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

Learn how women are taking safety, confidence, and responsibility into their own hands—both in the field and everyday life.Professional shotgun shooter and DU Ascend host Julia Stallings sits down with Audrey Wikan, Drake Waterfowl spokeswoman and former gun‑industry marketer, to discuss what women need to know about concealed carry, field carry, legal realities, holsters, draw practice, and staying equipped on hunts.Audrey shares her early experiences working behind a gun‑store counter at age 19, why women beelined to her with questions, what she carries now, and how she mentors new shooters. Together, they unpack the realities of traveling with firearms, carrying while hunting or fishing, choosing the right gun, staying legal across state lines, and building confidence through training and mentorship.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why more women are choosing to carry in the outdoorsTraining, mentorship, and how to find the right firearmHolsters, appendix vs. backpack carry, and drawing safelyWhat to know about carrying while hunting, fishing, or hikingTraveling with firearms: TSA tips, ammo rules, and packing hacksUnderstanding caliber choices, recoil, and comfort for smaller handsWhy confidence and comfort determine whether you’ll actually carrySubscribe and join this exciting journey to explore, learn, and grow together in the outdoor world.Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: [email protected]:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

World War II brought global upheaval in the 1940s and caused a redirection of national priorities and placed a temporary pause on regulatory and conservation momentum of the 1930s. After the war, returning veterans became the pioneers in waterfowl management and led to a new era of scientific discovery, regulatory creativity, and a growing need for state and federal coordination via Flyways. The DU Podcast continues its discussion with Ken Babcock and Dale Humburg.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: [email protected]:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

Ducks are heading north, and we’re getting the first hints of what breeding habitat may look like this spring.DU's senior waterfowl scientist, Dr. Mike Brasher, sits down with Dr. Scott Stephens, DU's senior director of conservation strategy, for a timely update on prairie conditions, recent snowfall, runoff potential, and what these early signs may mean for breeding ducks in 2026. They also break down the migration chronology of different duck species — who arrives first, who lingers longest, and why evolutionary history shapes these patterns.In this episode:A flyover view of recent prairie snowfall and soil moistureWhere runoff potential looks promising — and where it doesn’tHow dry wetland basins from last fall influence spring habitat recoveryWhy “some water” doesn’t equal “full recovery”The importance of seasonal vs. semi‑permanent wetlands for brood successHow multiple years of improved conditions are needed for strong fall flightsMigration timing: early (mallards, pintails), mid (shovelers, teal, divers), and late (gadwall, scaup)Why ducks “follow the ice line” and how late storms disrupt timingBoreal nesters vs. prairie nesters — who waits for the thawCanada geese and snow geese movement patterns during March–AprilLong‑term conservation reminders: habitat base matters more than any one wet yearJoin us for a concise, informative episode for anyone tracking habitat conditions and dreaming about next fall’s duck season.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: [email protected]:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

Spring turkey season has arrived — and while the weather has been unpredictable and the gobblers uncooperative at times, that won’t stop host Matt Harrison, his brother Michael Harrison, and friend Trent Camden from diving into the opening‑week action.The trio breaks down their hunts from the first few days of Mississippi’s season, including successful youth hunts, tough cold mornings, henned-up gobblers, green woods that feel “ahead of schedule,” and the wild behavior that makes turkey season so addictive. Along the way, they share lessons learned, personal stories, and real‑world tips for hunters at all experience levels.In this episode:Opening‑week reports: gobbling activity, flock dynamics & weather impactsWhy birds seem “ahead of schedule” this yearCalling strategies when gobblers aren’t vocalDealing with henned‑up toms & broken‑up flocksPatience, timing, and understanding mid‑morning movementHow weather (cold, sun, wind) changes where birds want to bePatterning early-season gobblers vs. late-season behaviorChase stories, close calls & first‑time turkey successesPopulations: jakes, hens, and hatch observations across MS & LALessons from the hunt: adapting, looping ahead, staying patientWhether you’re new to turkey hunting or a seasoned spring addict, this episode is packed with the relatable highs, lows, and “what just happened?” moments that make chasing longbeards so special.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: [email protected]:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

Into the 1920s, the Federal government endured growing pains in its new-found regulatory responsibilities for waterfowl harvest. Then, the 1930s brought a Dust Bowl, Great Depression, and catalysts for conservation, eventually producing the Duck Stamp Act, National Wildlife Refuge expansions, Pittman-Robertson Act, and organizations such as DU. Dr. Mike Brasher resumes his discussion with Ken Babcock and Dale Humburg about the history of waterfowl harvest management. Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: [email protected]:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

Spring is one of the most important—and most overlooked—periods in the waterfowl annual cycle. In this episode, host Dr. Mike Brasher sits down with the creators of Waterfowl Management Academy to discuss how private landowners can dramatically improve duck habitat by making simple adjustments in late winter and spring.Guests Kale Flaspohler, Mike Flaspohler, and Dan Crigler bring more than 70 years of combined experience in wetland management, public land habitat work, and private land technical guidance. Their new online platform—WaterfowlManagement.com—is designed to bring that expertise directly to landowners and managers who want to improve their wetlands.In this episode:What Waterfowl Management Academy is and why they built itWhy spring habitat is critical for ducks, from migration to nestingMoist-soil management fundamentals and how timing influences resultsProtein, invertebrates, and the nutritional demands of breeding birdsWhy pulling boards right after season misses the most important windowHow private land (75–80% of remaining wetlands) can change population outcomesRegional considerations: Midwest vs. Gulf Coast vs. flyway-wide applicationsHow simple changes like holding water longer can support shorebirds & waterbirdsMentorship, trial‑and‑error, and the value of lifelong learning in habitat workWhat’s next for WMA and how landowners can get hands‑on guidanceWhether you’re a wetland manager, private landowner, or someone wanting to “give back” to ducks after hunting season, this episode can change how you think about habitat.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: [email protected]:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

The Chesapeake Bay is home to some of the richest decoy and waterfowling traditions in North America — and today’s guest, Chad Tragakis, is one of its most passionate historians.Chad is a longtime decoy collector, writer, editor for Decoy Magazine, and a respected storyteller of the makers, clubs, boats, and communities that built the decoy culture along the Atlantic Flyway. Host Katie Burke sits down with Chad for a wide-ranging conversation that explores the origins of collecting, the legacy of iconic craftsmen, and the unique waterman traditions that still shape the region today.In this episode:How a $20 scoter decoy started Chad’s lifelong passionThe foundational books every new collector should readChesapeake Bay as the “decoy capital of the world”Sink boxes, sporting yachts, and the golden era of upper-bay gunningWhy the region produced tens of thousands of working decoysHaver de Grace vs. Northeast River styles — what sets them apartHow form, tradition, and community shape regional carvingCharlie Joiner’s legacy & what he learned from Mitchell and the Ward BrothersThe culture of shop visits, mentorship, and generational knowledgeAdvice for beginning collectors & why building a library mattersThe importance of preserving working decoys as American folk artThis episode is a celebration of craftsmanship, history, and the people who keep America’s decoy tradition alive.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: [email protected]:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

Following legal challenges to early attempts at Federal protection of migratory birds, policy makers and conservation leaders sought alternative avenues for establishing Federal jurisdiction. Dale Humburg and Ken Babcock rejoin Dr. Mike Brasher to discuss the Migratory Bird Treaty Act becoming law in 1918, its role in a landmark Supreme Court case, and its emergence as the foundation for regulated waterfowl harvest and migratory bird management.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: [email protected]:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

West Texas guide, podcaster, storyteller, and full‑time chaos manager — Andy Shaver — joins the DU Podcast.Hosts Jimbo Robinson and Matt Harrison sit down with Andy for a fast‑moving, hilarious, and insightful conversation about guiding specklebelly hunts, running the wildly successful Big Honker Podcast, building an outfitting operation, and navigating life at Stanfield Outfitters.From dove season to specks, jiu‑jitsu to podcast growth, and from flatbed‑trailer disasters to rookie‑guide bloopers, Andy brings the candid honesty and humor that Big Honker listeners love.In this episode:How Andy became a full‑time guide at Stanfield OutfittersThe origin story of The Big Honker Podcast and how it evolvedWhy geese > ducks (according to Andy)Running 90+ days of hunts and keeping clients happyThe rise of specklebelly hunting in West TexasWhat guides look for when hiring new staff“Post and ghost” — how Andy handles online commentsJiu‑jitsu, cauliflower ear, and letting his wife drain itBest guide stories & funniest client momentsWhat show season looks like for outfitters todayWhy Oklahoma became “the rat race”Life after season: Mexico, turkey season, baseball coaching & podcast grindIf you like hunting stories, honesty, and behind‑the‑scenes truth from a veteran guide, this episode delivers.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: [email protected]:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

This is one of the biggest Ducks Unlimited Podcast episodes we’ve ever recorded — and for good reason. Host Matt Harrison brings together the full cast and production team behind DUTV, including:Jim RonquestDoug LarsonFred ZinkRusty McDanielsPreston McDanielsJoe WhiteTogether they unpack the entire 2025–26 DUTV filming season — the highs, the lows, the logistics, the weather challenges, the production hurdles, and the incredible people and places that made the show possible.In this episode:What it’s really like filming duck hunts across North AmericaThe messy reality of camera angles, wind shifts, sun glare & “lens flash”Why pressure, weather, and older birds made this year unpredictableTelemetry research & how ducks are adapting faster than we thinkThe role of DU volunteers, biologists, landowners & partners in every episodeThe huge workload of producers and post-production teamsFavorite hunts of the year — from mallards in Nebraska to brant in New JerseyHow DUTV chooses hunt locations and builds conservation storylinesThe game‑changing importance of drones, new cameras, and modern techIf you love DUTV, waterfowl storytelling, or want to understand how outdoor TV is really made…this episode is an absolute must‑listen.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: [email protected]:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

At the turn of the 19th Century, market hunting and unregulated harvest was taking a toll on waterfowl and other migratory birds. Growing concern produced the first attempts at federal regulation of migratory birds. In part 1 of the DU Podcast’s series on the history of waterfowl harvest management, Dale Humburg, former DU chief scientist, and Ken Babcock, former DU senior director of regional operations, discuss these early days and the resistance to federal intervention.

He’s a former NFL quarterback, a lifelong outdoorsman, a junior world duck‑calling champion, a YouTube creator, and now the founder of a new lifestyle brand. Today’s guest is the one and only Devlin “Duck” Hodges.Hosts Matt Harrison and Jimbo Robinson sit down with Duck for a wide‑open conversation covering everything from his days with the Pittsburgh Steelers to his passion for duck hunting, bowhunting, faith, family, and building his new brand — Club Country — which connects the hunting/outdoor lifestyle with the golf world.In this episode:How he got the nickname “Duck” (and why he hated it at first)Breaking Steve McNair’s passing record at SamfordThe wild moment he got thrown into his first NFL gameWhat it was like hunting with Peyton Manning, Luke Bryan & othersThe YouTube boom and why he wants to be a positive influence for new huntersHow Club Country was born — and why it bridges golf + outdoorsBalancing business, hunting, and planning a wedding with Lainey WilsonHis favorite hunts, biggest lessons, and where he’s headed nextIf you’re a football fan, a duck hunter, or someone who loves the outdoor lifestyle, this is one of the most fun, wide‑ranging episodes of the season.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: [email protected]:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.