Ducks Unlimited Podcast

Limited water and fewer hunting opportunities continue to be the story in the California Central Valley, but a recent weather system has improved water supplies and delivered much needed mountain snow. Virginia Getz, DU’s director of conservation programs, offers an update on habitat conditions, waterfowl migration, and hunter success in the Central Valley. We also learn of several National Wildlife Refuges that will be opening for hunting in response to recent rains and new water.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Trey Reid, Assistant Chief of Communications for Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, discusses Arkansas' upcoming waterfowl season, ongoing Greentree Reservoir conservation efforts, and the WRICE program benefitting waterfowl and making more public land available to hunters in the Natural State.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Taking a great photo of your gun dog is priceless. In this episode, professional outdoor photographer Mark Atwater shares his insights on how to capture these picture-perfect moments with your gun dog in and out of the field. We also discuss the golden retriever, its breeding history, and why it holds a special place in Mark's life.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Returning guest Ryan Graves joins John Stephens, owner of RNT calls and J. Stephens Calls, to discuss the resurgence of modern call-making, vintage call collecting, and the importance of their personal call-collecting mentors. Stephens also shares his unique story of growing up in one of the most historic waterfowl areas in the country and how that influence shaped his career and his passion for collecting. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Across the southern great plains, extreme drought has produced a parched landscape and caused iconic wetlands such as Cheyenne Bottoms to go dry, leaving few options for migrating waterfowl and hunters. Dr. Mark Vrtiska, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Tom Bidrowski, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, join the podcast to discuss how an unseasonably warm fall and now an extended arctic air mass will bring further challenges to waterfowl hunters of their states.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

As three major weather systems clash in the Upper Midwest, duck hunters clamored to get to their hunting spots. Temperatures went from the mid-60s to single-digit blizzard conditions and trapped many hunters on shorelines and islands throughout the Midwest. Chris Madsen, DU Magazine freelance contributor and author of the feature A Deadly Day for Duck Hunters, shares his insights into the horrific tales of survival many hunters faced as the storm pummeled the region. Madsen discusses safety lessons learned from the Armistice Day Storm of 1940 and how the tragic story has stuck with generations of waterfowl hunters.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

With subfreezing temperatures and wintery weather descending across the Mid-Continent, the 2022 duck season is quickly closing for hunters in the U.S. and Canadian prairies as wetlands freeze and birds make major moves southward. In this episode, Dr. Scott Stephens gives an update on the likely effect of this early November weather system and recaps what was a largely successful hunting season on the prairies. We close with a discussion of Scott’s newfound decoy tactic…the song dog displacement.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Dr. Wayne Capooth, the author of “The Golden Age of Waterfowling”, joins us for a journey through the history of Mississippi Delta duck clubs from their origins to their impact on waterfowling in the region. We also discuss the early duck hunting clubs of Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi. If you love waterfowling history then this is a show you don't want to miss. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Avian flu is impacting backyard flocks of chickens and turkeys as well as commercial poultry facilities in virtually every state and province in North America. Dr. Julie Lenoch, USDA Wildlife Services, joins Dr. Mike Brasher to discuss the national response to the disease, provide an update on the outbreak, and share guidance to waterfowl hunters on actions we can take to reduce further spread and assist in surveillance monitoring.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

In part two of this species profile of the white-fronted goose, or specklebelly goose, USGS research ecologist, Dr. Jay Von Bank, wraps up our discussion about “specks.” We talk about spring migration, the rigors of Arctic nesting, population size and growth, the oldest white-front ever documented, patterns of harvest, why specklebellies are such great table fare, and how they have changed the waterfowl hunting landscape.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Jay Anglin, Great Lakes Migration Editor for ducks.org, provides a brief hunting and habitat update for the Great Lakes region where stale conditions will soon be changing to more seasonal temperatures.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Avian flu is a naturally occurring disease but can cause near 100% mortality in backyard birds and commercial poultry. Wild, free-ranging waterfowl are one of the primary means by which the avian flu virus can spread across long distances. Dr. Julie Lenoch, USDA Wildlife Services, shares guidance to hunters on how we can help reduce the spread into backyard flocks and commercial facilities through proper handling of harvested waterfowl and responsible cleaning of gear.www.ducks.org/DUpodcast

In part one of this species profile of the white-fronted goose, or specklebelly goose, Dr. Jay Von Bank, USGS research ecologist, discusses this increasingly popular species that is providing new opportunities for hunters as they continue to expand their distribution. In this episode, we address whether barring can be used to determine the age or sex of birds; how and why the “speck” distribution has changed; what we’re learning from telemetry studies; and how their diet changes during winter. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Are you dreading your gun dog’s final waterfowl season or last hunt? Addison Edmonds, founder of Gunner Kennels, and Luke Moore, marketing coordinator for Gunner Kennels, join the DU Podcast to talk about Moore’s 12-year-old black Labrador retriever, “Goose”. Edmonds spent several seasons with his retriever, “Gunner”, thinking it would be his last, and he offers some words of wisdom to Moore who fears this may be Goose’s final run. They also discuss the newest products Gunner Kennels will release in the near future.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Do strange and spooky things happen while hunting? Early morning hunts tend to produce some of the wildest stories of the unknown. Host Chris Jennings and guest host Clay Baird, DU senior media director, are joined by Kyle Philson and Cam Hale, hosts of Expanded Perspectives Podcast to discuss the weird, unexplainable, creepy, and unusual experiences hunters have had while in the field. Get ready to have some fun and be spooked by stories of ghosts, bigfoot, and more!Make sure you also check out the Expanded Perspectives podcast here… www.expandedperspectives.comwww.ducks.org/TheDUPodcast

Join Host John Gordon as he travels to Houston, Texas; America’s fourth largest city, built on the oil economy. But it’s also home to large wintering duck and goose concentrations on the east and west sides. Hear the differences in both areas with Texas waterfowling historian Rob Sawyer on this DU Podcast edition recorded at Spread Oaks Ranch.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Host Chris Jennings is joined by Clay Thompson, SportDOG Brand category manager, and the two discuss various training and dog-related topics. Thompson gets into the details about various uses for a wide range of SportDOG Brand products available to trainers of all types. He also discusses how he has the opportunity to deal with trainers from all over the country to talk product developments, helping to ensure E-collars, dummies, fences, and other products are designed for trainers to be successful. He also shares his tips for beginners, along with helping Jennings piece together a list of talking points for his wife, when he eventually gets a new dog.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Host Katie Burke introduces a very special guest to the DU Podcast audience, her dad, Dr. Ronal Roberson. Together with host, Mike Brasher, they discuss Dr. Roberson’s journey to becoming a senior ranking DU Volunteer. The journey starts with hunting a kid in the MS Delta, becoming an Area Chairman in a small town in Mississippi, and all the way to serving as a member of the board at the highest levels. The trio discover some of the key elements of what it really means to be a Ducks Unlimited Volunteer.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Host Chris Jennings is joined by owner and operator of Bill Byers Hunter Club, Cason Short. Short grew up around the property and shares the legacy left behind by his grandfather and father, one that he now keeps alive. This Hunter, Arkansas-based club was one of the first properties to offer day leases for duck hunters in the 1950s. Short shares the stories behind the property and how he is using it today to assist with conservation and research operations focusing on white-fronted geese.www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Host Dr. Mike Brasher is joined by the always popular, Dr. Scott Stephens, Ducks Unlimited Canada in the Boreal and prairie regions. With waterfowl season open since the beginning of September, Stephens has had several opportunities to get afield locally, and has heard from other biologists in Canada regarding conditions. The two discuss habitat conditions in Canada and Stephens offers some insight into the pace of the fall migration in Canada.

Hosts Dr. Mike Brasher and Chris Jennings discuss a Ducks Unlimited magazine project – The Ultimate Duck Boat. Jennings shares the process of how the magazine feature came together and why certain accessories were added to the boat. The feature was released in the July/August 2022 Gear Issue and the boat was on the cover. The two talk about how that image was captured by magazine and creative staff. If you’re looking for ideas to add to your duck boat, or build one from scratch, this episode might provide some useful insights. To read the full feature, visit https://bit.ly/3e8tYSq

While baseball fans will understand the phrase, “Ducks on the Pond,” what is one to make of “A Goose in Shallow Right Field”? Last night America watched as a greater white-fronted goose took up temporary residency in Dodger Stadium. The DU Podcast caught up with Dr. Jay VonBank, a leading expert on the species, for his opinion about what may have caused this bird to fly “afowl” of normal behaviors.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

On this episode, host, Katie Burke, sits down with Doug Lodermeier, author of Minnesota Duck Calls and Minnesota Duck Decoys Vol.1-2. Doug is an expert on all things Minnesota Duck Calls and Decoys. The two chat about the state’s abundant waterfowling history. Doug describes his path into collecting Minnesota’s waterfowling history, as well as, his journey as the chronicler of these stories over the past 20 years.For a copy of Doug’s latest book visit: http://www.dougandpaul.com/index.html

High-quality bird taxidermy is an art that freezes a unique hunting moment in time forever. Micah and Alyssa Godwin of Feathered Arts strive to make every duck and goose they mount cherished by their clients. Find out the story behind this dynamic husband and wife taxidermy team on this special Ducks Unlimited Podcast edition recorded on location at Spread Oaks Ranch in Texas.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Host Chris Jennings is joined by Kevin Kraai, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department waterfowl program leader, to discuss habitat across the state of Texas. The two discuss habitat conditions last season and how late cold fronts and precipitation helped some hunters in the Lonestar State. This season, Kraai explains that the conditions are very dry throughout much of the state, but these conditions can change. Kraai also shares some insights following the early teal season. www.ducks.org/TheDUpodcast

Partnerships are the key to conservation, and state fish and wildlife agencies have long been some of DU’s most reliable and critical partners. With a focus on Louisiana, Mike Carloss and Cassidy Lejeune (DU) join Jason Olszak (Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries) to discuss the people, programs, and funding that fuels this work. They also share recently completed projects that are already providing benefits to waterfowl and hunters in Sportsman’s Paradise.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Special guests Mike Carloss (DU), Dave Kostersky (DU Canada), and Jason Olszak (Louisiana Dept of Wildlife and Fisheries) join the podcast to discuss the important partnership that exists between DU and state agencies. The Fall Flights program is a powerful vehicle by which states and DU leverage resources to fund vital wetland and grassland conservation on the breeding grounds, in turn producing ducks that are enjoyed by waterfowl hunters across North America.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Host Chris Jennings is joined by John Pollmann, Ducks Unlimited magazine contributor, to talk about why early-season Canada goose hunts can cause you fits. The two discuss tips and tactics for bagging these big Canadas and some best practices to follow during these early hunts. Pollmann and Jennings share some personal experiences from past hunts where they utilized unique tactics to bag honkers on a consistent basis. This is a must-listen if you are planning to hunt Canadas this fall.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Earlier this year, DU celebrated 85 years of conservation success at our National Convention in New Orleans. Join us as we visit with Mike Benge, DU volunteer and board member, and Pattie Kempka, DU director of national meetings and conferences, on the history of DU national conventions, what it takes to put one on, and the unique experiences and events that awaited this year’s attendees. Listen in and get inspired to join us in 2023 in Las Vegas! www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

We’re back with more adventures from retired USFWS pilot biologist Fred Roetker! This episode is highlighted by memorable observations, including a wolverine, barren ground grizzlies, expansive beaver ponds, a military intercept in Mexico, and a rare sighting of the elusive prairie skinny dipper! Fred concludes with sage advice for young people looking to enter the waterfowl profession, and DU extends a sincere “thank you” to Fred and his fellow pilot biologists!www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Retired USFWS pilot biologist Fred Roetker reflects on his 32-year career of surveying ducks and geese across North America and shares stories of the places he saw, people he met, and experiences he amassed over that time. With nearly 500,000 air miles to his credit, ranging from the Yucatan to the Arctic Circle, some say that Fred has seen more waterfowl habitat than anyone else in North America. After listening to his stories, they might be right!www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Host Chris Jennings is joined by Field Hudnall, YETI Ambassador and owner of Field Proven Calls, and the pair chat about YETI’s new book, Ducks. Hudnall was instrumental in helping YETI piece this coffee-table style book together, and the book will be sold with a portion of proceeds going to wetlands conservation. The two also catch up on Hudnall’s season last year, expectations for the coming season, and what’s the latest with Field Proven Call.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Inspired by a listener challenge, on this episode Dr. Mike Brasher visits with Kelly Warren, DU regional biologist in western Oregon, for an update on what the latest surveys reveal about the status and opportunities around the many goose species that call the Pacific Flyway home. Covering emperor geese, brant, snow geese, white-fronts, and 3 subspecies each of cackling and Canada geese, if you’re a Pacific Flyway goose hunter, this episode is for you.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Hunting resident Canada Geese takes patience and skill to ensure success. Join host John Gordon as he talks with Tennessee hunters, Alec Brown and Will Preuett, who have both mastered these skills. Listen to the latest DU Podcast to learn how they put more resident geese on the ground every September.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Host Chris Jennings is joined by Jim Ronquest, Vice President of Development for Drake Waterfowl on this episode. The two discuss Ronquest’s new role within Drake Waterfowl, along with some of the exciting products the company has. Ronquest shares some memories of great days afield and both talk about memorable moments from hunts past. www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Meet the black-bellied whistling duck, one of the more intriguing stories among North American waterfowl. With an ever-expanding range and growing population, this species is triggering numerous research studies, providing new harvest opportunities, and demonstrating remarkable abilities to adapt to pressure. Dr. Jerad Henson, associate professor at Christian Brothers University, joins us to share insights from his research and others on this most interesting species.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Revised restrictions by USDA APHIS are now in place that allow hunters in Canada to bring their harvested birds back into the U.S. Dr. Karen Waldrop, DU’s chief conservation officer, joins the podcast to discuss the new restrictions and how DU helped inform them. Also covered are data that made the difference, hunters that provided the data, importance of partner voices, significance of HPAI as a threat to U.S. poultry, and USDA APHIS’s willingness to make a change.www.ducks.org

Host Chris Jennings is joined by Phil Bourjaily, Ducks Unlimited magazine shotgunning columnist, who brings a wealth of knowledge to the show regarding introducing young hunters to the basics of shotgunning. Bourjaily has mentored, and taught young hunters for decades, including his own children and he coached a high school trap and sporting clays team. The two discuss the first steps on introducing guns to young hunters, all the way through their first hunt. Anyone looking to mentor or introduce a youth hunter to the ranks of waterfowlers needs to use this show as a checklist for a safe, appropriate introduction.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Extreme drought continues in the western U.S., and Jeff McCreary and Dr. Mark Petrie join us for the latest update. How severe is the drought? What were its impacts on breeding waterfowl? Why are National Wildlife Refuges going dry? What can western hunters expect for waterfowl habitats and hunting opportunities? What is Ducks Unlimited doing to help, and how can you make a difference? These topics and more on today’s episode.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

While DU has been involved in TV and video for many years, never has it taken on a feature length film, until now! George Dunklin, DU volunteer and board member, and James Roberts, DU director of development, share the exciting story of Wings Over Water, DU’s first ever foray into IMAX films. Learn about how the idea was hatched, the people and partners that made it happen, and why it is important for the future of wetlands conservation. For more information, check out www.wingsoverwaterfilm.comwww.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Host Chris Jennings is joined by John Pollmann, Ducks Unlimited magazine contributor, to discuss a common theme of missing bluewings. The pair talk through an article Pollmann once wrote where he shared tips from veteran waterfowlers on how they consistently shoot bluewings. These acrobatic, flighty little puddle ducks make difficult shots in the early-morning light, and there are ways to improve your odds. Give this show a listen.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

The DU Podcast visits with Dr. Dale James, past director of conservation and science for DU’s southern region, to provide additional insights about his recent article on prehistoric waterfowl that appeared in the July/August issue of DU magazine. From the Demon Duck of Doom to the Wonderchicken, ancient waterfowl are no doubt entertaining! We also thank Dale and offer him an opportunity to reflect on his 18 years of service with DU as he embarks on a new chapter in his career.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Hosts Dr. Mike Brasher and Chris Jennings dive into North America’s most populous waterfowl species in this episode. Brasher and Jennings expand the mallard conversation into its entire life cycle, preferred habitats, and even close relatives. This is the all-things mallard episode you’ve been waiting for. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

RE-AIR OF Ep. 275Hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher join forces to bring you the first in a series of species profiles covering our North American waterfowl. The blue-winged teal enjoys the spotlight in this episode. One of our most unique dabbling ducks, spending summer in the prairies and winter in the mangroves of Mexico, bluewings are the last to arrive on the breeding grounds and the first to head south, providing hunters with an early opportunity to return afield after a long hot summer. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast duck hunting, ducks, ducks unlimited, goose hunting, waterfowl, waterfowl survey, science, surveys, hunting, duck populations, birds, geese, waterfowl managers, conservation, wetlands, habitat, habitat conservation

Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher continue their discussion about the 2022 Waterfowl Population Survey results and what they mean for you. Looking flyway-by-flyway, species-by-species, and other unique ways of summarizing the data, this episode provides insights on breeding populations, habitat conditions, prospects for summer production, an uptick in Eastern Mallards, and what it all means for waterfowl hunters in the Pacific, Central, Mississippi, and Atlantic Flyways.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Chris Jennings, Dr. Mike Brasher, and DU Magazine Editorial Director Matt Young begin a deep dig into the 2022 BPOP results. Matt shares 30-years of perspective on what the BPOP data mean to seasoned waterfowlers and how times have changed. The group then reviews 2022 results, discusses implications for mid-continent hunters, explores the pintail predicament, ponders Great Lakes mallards, and touches on harvest regulations. This episode is chock-a-block full!www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

THIS IS A RE-AIR of EP. 289Green-winged teal are the smallest of our North American dabbling ducks with a short neck and small bill. Dr. Mike Brasher and Chris Jennings go into the details about this fascinating species. The pair discuss the species’ breeding habits, migrating, and wintering distribution. Prized by hunters for their abundance and as table fare, there’s a lot to learn about Green-wings.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher jump into the new season with the recently announced 2022 Waterfowl and Habitat Survey. The pair breakdown the overall numbers released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and set the table for future discussions focusing on induvial species.To get the full report and species chart, visit https://www.ducks.org/conservation/waterfowl-surveys/2022/duck-numbers

On this special episode, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams joins co-hosts Dr. Karen Waldrop, Chief Conservation Officer, and Dr. Mike Brasher, Senior Waterfowl Scientist, to talk about her love of the outdoors, priorities for the USFWS, the importance of hunters and private landowners to conservation, the longstanding partnership between DU and the USFWS, and much more. Status of the highly anticipated Waterfowl Breeding and Population Habitat Survey is also mentioned!

This DU Podcast features Browning Arms Media and Events Manager Shaundi Campbell.Hear Browning history, what’s new in shotguns for 2022, and learn more about Browning’s commitment to wetlands conservation, DU TV and more!