Ducks Unlimited Podcast

Jamie Rader, director of conservation programs in DU’s South Atlantic Field Office, joins host Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher to discuss the region. Rader provides great information regarding specific projects and habitat efforts in the South Atlantic Region. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Dr. Vanessa Harriman, Ducks Unlimited Canada, joins us again to share the rest of the story about how flea infestations affect nest success of snow and Ross’s geese. We also discuss what this might mean for population dynamics of goose colonies and explore a few other questions about this curious phenomenon. Have an itch for knowledge? We try to scratch it on this episode.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

In this episode, host Dr. Mike Brasher is joined by Dr. Vanessa Harriman, Ducks Unlimited Canada, to discuss the curious case of flea infestations in nests of snow and Ross’s geese. We learn about their discovery, prevalence, the hazards of studying them, and what leads a person to study fleas in the first place. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Luke Naylor, Arkansas waterfowl program coordinator for Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, joins hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher to talk about Arkansas November Aerial Survey, Arkansas duck season, and current habitat. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Jay Anglin, WF360 Great Lakes Region migration editor, joins host Chris Jennings for a quick discussion regarding the current hunting conditions in the Great Lakes Region. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Jamie Rader, DU’s director of conservation programs in the South Atlantic Region, joins host Chris Jennings for a quick update on habitat and hunting in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher discuss waterfowl mating systems and how behavior changes related to mating and courtship directly impact hunting as the season progresses. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Host Dr. Mike Brasher talks with Dr. Drew Fowler, Wisconsin DNR, to explore the question of whether the birds we shoot over decoys have lower body condition than those in the larger population, and if so, why that might be. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Host Chris Jennings is joined by Scott Leysath, DU Magazine cooking columnist, and the pair talk about sides. Leysath brings some unique sides to the forefront and discusses his favorite side dishes when serving wild game. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher debunk the myth of the northern, or “red leg” mallard, and discuss an interesting taxonomic issue related to a North American waterfowl species. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Celebrity Chef Jean-Paul Bourgeois joins host Chris Jennings and shares his go-to approach to preparing and cooking ducks for those who may not otherwise try a wild game dish. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Our Thanksgiving show, plucked from the DU Magazine archives (Nov/Dec 2007), is a humorous story about the idiosyncrasies of waterfowl hunters. "Duck Blind Intervention" written by Doug Larson and narrated by Tom Gallagher.www.ducks.org/dupodcast

On this special episode, we go out west to hear from DU’s Manager of Conservation Programs for Montana, Bob Sanders. Recorded during an ongoing blizzard in that state, Bob shares insights and experiences regarding this year’s duck and goose migration and habitat conditions in Montana. Although many of the less hardy species have departed the state, mallards and geese remain on the big rivers.www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Dr. Ray Alisauskas, Research Scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, joins us again to discuss nesting ecology of snow and Ross’s geese and the types of data collected annually to estimate production. We conclude by discussing observations of goose production during the 2019 breeding season and what hunters might expect this winter. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Larry Reynolds, Waterfowl Program Manager for Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries, makes a return visit to the show to update their November waterfowl surveys. Larry shares that duck and goose numbers in the northern part of the state are above the long-term average for this time of year. We also learn about apparently good hunter success at Catahoula Lake during the East Zone opener.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

World-renowned snow goose ecologist Dr. Ray Alisauskas joins the show to educate us about snow and Ross’s goose nesting colonies across the Arctic and sub-Arctic. We also discuss the long-term ecological studies conducted at these sites and the challenges of working in this environment. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Missouri Dept. of Conservation (MDC) recently completed their mid-November waterfowl surveys. Frank Nelson, MDC wetland ecologist, joins the show to discuss their surveys and what they are observing on managed wetland complexes in Missouri. Join us as we hear about current waterfowl, habitat, and weather conditions in Missouri and the frequently changing dynamics of wintering waterfowl. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Scott Leysath, DU Magazine cooking columnist joins host, Chris Jennings to discuss cooking whole ducks. Leysath provides some very valuable insights as to why you shouldn’t cook your ducks whole. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Hosts Dr. Mike Brasher and Chris Jennings are joined by Dr. Mark Lindberg, professor at University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Institute of Arctic Biology to discuss the ramifications of band targeting and how targeting banded birds can have repercussions on the data. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Hosts Dr. Mike Brasher and Chris Jennings are joined by Dr. Mark Lindberg, professor at University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Institute of Arctic Biology to discuss the ways hunters play a vital role in citizen-science programs. Banding, HIP, and other various programs are supported by hunters, and are crucial to waterfowl science. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher talk Boreal Forest with Dr. Fritz Reid, director of conservation programs for the Boreal and Arctic for Ducks Unlimited. Reid explains some of the unique aspects to conservation efforts in the Boreal, including partners and difficulty in even getting there. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Scott Leysath, DU Magazine cooking columnist joins host Chris Jennings to talk more waterfowl recipes. The two specifically talk about brines and how to best prepare your ducks and geese. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

In this episode, Aaron Yetter, Waterfowl Ecologist with the Illinois Natural History Survey, shares results and observations from their most recent aerial waterfowl survey. The combination of cold weather and open hunting seasons helped push up mallard numbers, while other species were variable from the previous survey. https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Dr. Drew Fowler from Wisconsin DNR joins the shows to give a quick update on migration conditions in Wisconsin. We learn that smaller wetlands are now frozen, but open water still remains in rivers and larger water bodies. A few ducks and healthy numbers of geese remain for the chasing! https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher talk Boreal Forest with Dr. Fritz Reid, director of conservation programs for the Boreal and Arctic for Ducks Unlimited. Reid details his role and brings to light the importance of Boreal habitats for waterfowl and other birds. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Chef Jean-Paul Bourgeois rejoins host Chris Jennings on the show to talk about his best day duck hunting. Bourgeois describes a day in the south Louisiana marshes, the birds, and the meal shared after the hunt. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

DU Chief Scientist Dr. Tom Moorman joins host Chris Jennings to discuss how and why ducks and geese learn. These conditioned behaviors such as being able to identify decoys, spinning-wing decoys and sensing danger are a part of waterfowl’s ability to survive. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Scott Leysath, DU Magazine cooking columnist joins host Chris Jennings on this episode to share his five favorite waterfowl recipes. A few of these recipes may surprise you. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Dr. Mike Brasher is joined by special guests Larry Reynolds, Waterfowl Program Manager for Louisiana Dept of Wildlife and Fisheries, and Dr. Tom Moorman, DU Chief Scientist, to discuss the results from the November aerial waterfowl survey in coastal Louisiana. Listen in to learn about the survey and what it revealed for waterfowl abundance and habitat conditions in advance of the coming cold fronts. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Scott Leysath, DU Magazine cooking columnist joins host Chris Jennings and shares his story about how he become a well-known wild game chef. Leysath also explains his number one rule for cooking waterfowl. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

With winter weather immanent across the Great Lakes, host Chris Jennings brings Jay Anglin, DU’s Great Lakes Region migration editor on the show to discuss what he is seeing and hearing in Indiana and Michigan. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Host Dr. Mike Brasher brings in Dr. Mike Schummer to explain his current project of a weekly duck migration forecast. Schummer is the Roosevelt Waterfowl Ecologist at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher talk with Andy Stetter, supervisory wildlife biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Complex in south Texas. Stetter spent the weekend chasing ducks along the coast and witnessed huge flocks of redheads arriving along the coast. Listen to his report. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Host Dr. Mike Brasher brings in Dr. Mike Schummer to explain his current project of a weekly duck migration forecast. Schummer is the Roosevelt Waterfowl Ecologist at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Host Dr. Mike Brasher talks with Kali Rush, regional biologist in DU’s Ann Arbor, Michigan office about elevated lake levels and how the high levels in 2019 impact waterfowl habitat. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher discuss an Understanding Waterfowl column Brasher wrote several years ago regarding how drought impacts waterfowl habitats negatively and positively. Brasher explains that while most people think that drought is detrimental to habitat, it actually has many benefits. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Dr. Tom Moorman, DU chief scientist joins host Chris Jennings to discuss one of the biggest questions from last season, “Where were the ducks?” In this episode, Moorman focuses the conversation on hunting pressure, and how that can impact wintering waterfowl distribution. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Dr. Tom Moorman, DU chief scientist joins host Chris Jennings to discuss one of the biggest questions from last season, “Where were the ducks?” Moorman brings to light several landscape changes that can shift wintering distribution of waterfowl in North America. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Dr. Tom Moorman, DU chief scientist joins host Chris Jennings to discuss one of the biggest questions from last season, “Where were the ducks?” Moorman brings to light the perfect-storm of weather conditions that created frustrating waterfowl seasons for many throughout the country. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Dr. Scott Stephens, Ducks Unlimited Canada’s director of operations for the prairie and Boreal Forest goes into detail about how the migration progressed across the Canadian Prairie Pothole Region. Stephens also shares some insight into why the latest cold front will send the majority of waterfowl south. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher discuss Brasher’s Master’s Degree research project that focused on learning what unpaired males did during the breeding period. His research worked to get a better understanding and definition of bachelor groups that are not counted in waterfowl breeding surveys.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher discuss DU’s Marsh Terracing Projects in Coastal Louisiana. Marsh Terracing is one of the many ways DU, working with many partners, is combating marsh loss along the Gulf Coast. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.http://www.ducks.org/

Host Chris Jennings sits down with Chef Jean-Paul Bourgeois, celebrity chef and Ducks Unlimited supporter. Bourgeois talks about his affinity for the outdoors, wild game cooking, and growing up with DU in south Louisiana. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast

Host Chris Jennings is joined by co-host Dr. Mike Brasher from the North American Duck Symposium. Mike brings to light the fascinating research being done by waterfowl scientists all over the continent. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.http://www.ducks.org/

Hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher talk about blue-winged ducks – blue-winged teal, cinnamon teal, and northern shovelers. Mike discusses these species unique abilities and what separates them from other waterfowl. He also provides an update on how these species’ names have been updated based on phylogenetic classing. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.http://www.ducks.org/For more information on Blue-winged Ducks, visit https://www.ducks.org/conservation/waterfowl-research-science/understanding-waterfowl-the-blue-winged-ducks?poe=DUPodcast

Hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher discuss the unique life cycle period in which waterfowl stage on the prairie, preparing for migration. Ducks and geese alike have a singular focus at this time, which is also valuable information for hunters in these regions. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.http://www.ducks.org/

Hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher catch up with Tony Vandemore, co-owner and operator of Habitat Flats. The crew discuss the habitat changes brought on by spring and summer flooding in Vandemore’s region of northwest Missouri and how this may impact migration and wintering. They also touch on 2019 Light Goose Conservation Order and a few other topics.www.Ducks.org/

Hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher catch up with Tony Vandemore, co-owner and operator of Habitat Flats. The crew discuss the habitat changes brought on by spring and summer flooding in Vandemore’s region of northwest Missouri and how this may impact migration and wintering. They also touch on 2019 Light Goose Conservation Order and a few other topics.www.Ducks.org/

Host Dr. Mike Brasher discusses interesting research being done on urban mallards and the role they play in hunter harvest with Dr. Ben O’Neal. O’Neal serves as a wildlife ecology professor at Franklin College just south of Indianapolis and is studying the impacts of urban mallards in relation to harvest opportunities for hunters near metro areas. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.www.Ducks.org/

Host Dr. Mike Brasher discusses interesting research being done on urban mallards and the role they play in hunter harvest with Dr. Ben O’Neal. O’Neal serves as a wildlife ecology professor at Franklin College just south of Indianapolis and is studying the impacts of urban mallards in relation to harvest opportunities for hunters near metro areas. Download and subscribe to follow along with all things waterfowl as the DU Podcast brings the resource to you.www.Ducks.org/