Midwest Flyways Podcast

An explosive episode unfolds as Gavin wages war over NBA defensive ratings with Cal, Carter, Luka and Ant all caught in the crossfire. We recap March Madness and we all come to terms with the fact that Cal, our college basketball expert, actually might have known a thing or two about college basketball. Carter stays busy double checking everyone’s wild claims and statistics and some don’t like the findings of these very factual and certified statistics which are not opinion and simply fact. Hard to argue with facts but Gavin tries his hardest. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review! Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP

Well, well, well the wild man returns. Derek Helms, Adventure guide extraordinaire sits down with Joey to catch up about life, ducks, and new adventures. Derek has always been a visionary and his newest gig is something he cooked up in a crazy way. Joey and Derek also weigh in a little bit about the duck summit in MN and what could come of that. Never miss a Derek Helms episode, they are always gold. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review! Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP

Why did pintail limits drop… even when hunters were still seeing birds? In this Midwest Flyways history episode, we break down one of the most debated topics in duck hunting history — the rise, fall, and ongoing management of the northern pintail. From booming populations in the 1950s to sharp declines in the 1960s and 70s, this episode dives deep into the moment when hunters and biologists collided over what was really happening. We cover the real reasons behind pintail population declines, including Prairie Pothole Region habitat loss, agricultural expansion, and why nest success rates crashed below sustainable levels. More importantly, we explore the tension between what hunters saw in the field versus what the data showed — and why that disconnect still exists today. This episode also explains how the pintail debate helped shape modern waterfowl management, including the development of Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM), species-specific regulations, and population-based season structures that still impact duck hunting today. If you’ve ever questioned duck limits, season changes, or how wildlife agencies make decisions — this is the episode that explains it. Perfect for duck hunters, waterfowl enthusiasts, and anyone interested in conservation, flyway management, and the future of hunting. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe to Midwest Flyways for more duck hunting podcasts, waterfowl stories, and real conversations from the blind. Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP

We recorded this episode on April Fools, and the guys kick things off the right way—by having a little fun at Nathaniel’s expense. The episode opens with a classic setup, baiting Gavin into a passionate rant about LeBron James. Just when he’s fully bought in, the conversation flips back on him—drawing some interesting comparisons to his recent big bets. Let’s just say, not everyone saw where things were headed. From there, it’s full March Madness chaos. Cal somehow remains the last man standing with his bracket intact, while major upsets—including Duke’s exit—continue to shake up the tournament. Looking ahead, the guys break down what’s next and make a few bold predictions, including why a potential Michigan vs. Arizona matchup might be the real national championship. Plus, a look at how teams like Illinois are building rosters with a global pipeline. With the NBA playoffs right around the corner, the conversation shifts to who’s heating up at the right time and what storylines to watch as the postseason picture comes into focus. To close things out, the guys highlight a powerful story from Gary Woodland, who has been open about his battle with a brain tumor and PTSD—bringing some real perspective beyond the game. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review! Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP

The times they are a-changin’. At least they are in Saskatchewan for non resident duck hunters. We discuss the new regulations on American hunters and why it’s happening. In the midst of this, Joey and Cal also have the MN Duck Summit and they prep for their hopes at that and what it could bring forth. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review! Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP

In this MWF History Lesson, we dive into the evolution of duck decoys—from the earliest hand-carved wooden blocks to today’s mass-produced plastics—and how each phase changed the way hunters approach the game. What started as simple tools rooted in Indigenous tradition grew into a craft, an industry, and eventually a collector’s market worth millions. We break down the golden age of carving, highlight legendary makers, and explore the shift from handmade birds to factory production. Along the way, we touch on wild stories of decoys found in barns and garages that turned out to be worth small fortunes—and the reality that some of the most valuable decoys ever made were once just tools in a working spread. At its core, this episode isn’t just about decoys—it’s about the constant evolution of waterfowl hunting, the people who shaped it, and the one thing that’s never changed: It’s not about perfection… it’s about creating confidence and fooling the bird. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review! Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP

We are all back in studio and Nathaniel rejoins coming off a poolside week in Vegas (for work) watching March Madness on the mega screens. It turns out Cal, our resident college basketball expert is fired, effective immediately. We relive the first weekend of tournament basketball and talk Big Ten DOMINANCE with 6 teams making the Sweet 16! Carter won’t stop talking about the 100 leg parlay that South Florida ruined for him and Gavin comes with the hottest takes ever had by mankind. Some of those takes might turn out to be hot garbage, some might turn into the Eagles Super Bowl debacle. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review! Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP

This week we talk about a bunch of different topics including a conversation about Eiders becoming lost at seas during storms and ending up taking refuge on passing ships. We also talk snow goose season and when that itch starts to set in during the off season. We round things out with a close race to the top of the Say What?! Leaderboard. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review! Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP

This week on Ten Minute Tuesday, we dive into the history of waterfowl banding and how it transformed conservation in North America. From early pioneers like Jack Miner to the millions of ducks banded over the past century, these little bands have revealed the true story of migration, survival, and harvest. Banding turned guesswork into data—mapping flyways, shaping hunting regulations, and helping ensure sustainable waterfowl populations. Every band tells a story, and every hunter who reports one becomes part of that legacy. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review! Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP

Well, well, well. Carter gets his biggest dream to come true by bringing Kyler Murray to the Minnesota Vikings. Gavin is in agony and we review where this leaves the Vikings and the state of the NFC North. We also talk some our other favorite resolutions and then we break down our favorite upsets and games for the men’s NCAA basketball tournament. March Madness is officially here! Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review! Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP

For the last few months we’ve been busy planning and working on the next adventure for Midwest Flyways, and we’re so pumped to share that the Flyways Hunt Club is now live on Whop. Our new platform will have exclusive giveaways, access to The Vault, live weekly podcasts, discounts on merch, calling lessons and more. Support us by clicking the link above! We also talk snow goose season and play Say What?! To round things out. Thanks so much for listening, subscribing and for all of your support over the years! We’re just getting started. Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP

Reminder, the Flyways Hunt Club is live now and you can join at the link here! Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club This week for Ten Minute Tuesday, we’re back with another one of Cal’s history lessons. This time, we’ll be going through the lead shot ban and how that change took place over a few years. After decades of having become accustom to shooting lead and relying on the payload and consistency of lead shot, science told us a story we hadn’t really seen as hunters. This story was the reality, birds were dying because of lead poisoning. For many of us, this change happened before we started our hunting journeys and hearing about the changes we’ve come to know as standard practice are helpful to paint the broader picture of the history of waterfowl hunting! Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review! New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP

What a weird NFL world we live in now, where teams make deals before deals are able to be made and then back out of those deals before you can blink. This week the boyz are in studio talking the Maxx Crosby situation and how shady the Ravens were through the trade process. This is also one of the craziest times of the year in the NFL as players and relocating and taking their talents to new cities. We break down the NFL free agency frenzy, discuss the new possibilities these players offer their teams, and make predictions about the coming season. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review! Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP

Well, we’ve been working on something for a while now and it’s time we fill you guys in. We’ve been so grateful to be able to share our waterfowl journey with all of you and we suppose it’s time we shake things up. We discuss what is coming next for us after a decade of Midwest Flyways and how you can be a part of our journey going forward. We also discuss a plan for getting people into waterfowl without breaking the bank and we okay Say What?! Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review! Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP

This week for Ten Minute Tuesday we play Say What?! With Gavin and Nathaniel, who some of you may know from Spirts Guyz Only. Carter throws out some wild scenarios, including a crazy story about a ringneck in Tallahassee. Probably the “coolest” ringneck ever. We try our best to figure out what kind of sick game he’s playing. Are you guys any better than we are at this? Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe and review! New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP

You’re never safe enough in the NFL where players are awarded massive contracts and then cut a year later. As teams start to change direction we’ve seen some notable names pop up in free agency including Kyler Murray, Trent Williams, Tua, and many more. We discuss the future for some of these players and contemplate a new look Vikings without JJ McCarthy at quarterback. We also discuss the combine and what teams need to be thinking going into the draft. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review! New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP

This week Cal and Joey decide it’s time we address the elephant in the room: what’s the problem with duck hunting culture these days? People are at each others throats and there seems to be now sign of it stopping. Our whole world has become one way or the other and there’s no more common ground to stand on. When that mindset hits hunting, the only people who are hurt by it are hunters. We discuss what needs to change and how all hunters can be part of the solution. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review! New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP

This week Cal brings us another history lesson alongside Joey and Gavin. Do you know how the Duck stamp became a part of waterfowl hunting in the United States and what really forced the issue to be presented in the first place? This week we’re headed back in time to break down what things were really like during the dust bowl and how it changed waterfowl hunting forever. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review! New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP

There is truly nothing that touches the pinnacle of sport competition like hockey in the Olympics. We relive the two greatest hockey teams ever assembled meeting this past Sunday. USA vs Canada was everything we wanted it to be and the United States came out on top this time. We talk about Canada’s dominance in the 2nd period and what made the win possible for the US. We also talk some NBA and look at who might actually win the MVP. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review! New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP