It's all about attitude. Whether galloping sidesaddle behind wailing foxhound packs or paddling quietly through cypress-studded swamps with he powerful labs, Mississippi born-and-raised Allison Crews is all in. A bonafide Swamp Witch, casting spells with her distinct sense of style, charm and contagious energy, Crews describes finding "gifts" while hunting, magic happening behind the levee, and gaining agency as a lady hunter. Ladies, dads, daughters, boyfriends, husbands: listen up! Podcast Spo...
Aug 22, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 276
Argentina's Entres Rios Province lies between the Uruguay and Parana rivers, its flat topography covered with interspersed wetlands, woodlands, agriculture and shortgrass habitats, making it a rich location for hunting ducks, doves, wild pigeons, perdiz and more. While watching orange-capped hunters gleaning partridge behind rock-solid pointers, Ramsey does a deep dive into Argentina hunting culture with long-time Los Ceibos associate Patricio Geijo, covering past, present and future topics. Eve...
Aug 18, 2022•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 275
Really no telling what interesting characters you'll meet in the middle of a remote swamp, the incredible stories you'll hear before a cozy fireplace. Today's episode proves it. From a highly profitable "side business" his freshman year at military academy to homesteading remote Canada, from earning a newspaper covershot in Pamplona, Spain, to sipping a Coca-Cola during a Vietnam airstrike, he was an integral member of Ted Turner's staff before TBS was a household name. More recently he was an U...
Aug 15, 2022•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 274
On the front porch of a rustic, swamp-encompassed, little red camphouse, hunters gathered around fedora-topped, pipe-smoking Destry Hoffard, admiring an older-than-most-people-in-camp Winchester Model 21 two-shooter he'd brought to duck hunt Argentina. In fact, everything he packed had the venerable patina of times past--especially his duck hunting mind-set. Born and raised in Illinois, Hoffard is a genuine American Picker (even though he hates that title). He tells a fascinating story about ear...
Aug 11, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 273
Chef Jean Paul Bourgeois grew up behind the boudin curtain, south of I-10 in Lousiana, always only minutes from the marsh. He remembers killing his first duck with a crack-barrel 20-gauge, a rite of passage into a circle of giants that acted differently in a duck blind than elsewhere. He remembers, too, making "happy plates" of local home-made cuisines his parents cooked and taught him to cook. Realizing later in life why those giants acted differently in the blind and how the soulful influence ...
Aug 10, 2022•1 hr•Ep. 272
Life ain't fair. While hanging deer stands near the Tex-Mex border on a scorching hot day, an otherwise welcomed breeze suddenly kicked up. The very last thing he remembers of his former life was a dust devil swirling lazily towards him. For only his third duck hunt in the 6 years since that fateful day, Kyle Grant chose to hunt with friends in a very remote Argentina location that was especially challenging. Because that's the kind of guy he is. And it is there that he opened up, sharing this t...
Aug 08, 2022•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 271
Located in a massive wetland prone to natural water fluctuations that greatly affect waterfowl density and diversity--and so inconveniently far from Buenos Aires that you can't hardly get there from here--Rio Salado nonetheless offers truly wild duck hunting experiences unavailable elsewhere in Argentina. In this Duck Season Somewhere episode, Ramsey hears clients describe their Rio Salado Argentina duck hunting experiences during a drought year. While "whys" and "whats" vary, they collectively ...
Aug 04, 2022•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 270
At the first-annual Delta Waterfowl Hunters Expo this past weekend, Delta Waterfowl announced their Million Duck campaign. That's right. Forever a duck hunters organization, Delta Waterfowl is boldly raising the bar in waterfowl conservation! How relevant is a million ducks to the fall harvest? How will their plan be put into action--and annually implemented? What conservation strategies can produce a million ducks? In today's episode, Delta Waterfowl's Scott Petrie (COO and Chief Scientist) and...
Aug 03, 2022•53 min•Ep. 269
Delta Waterfowl Scientist Chris Nicolai has been "ringing and slinging" for decades pursuant to career waterfowl research, placing bands on every North American waterfowl species and visiting some pretty far-flung places. When and how did bird banding begin? Who pioneered it? How are various waterfowl species captured, which are hardest to catch and and why might brant banding develop expert decoying skills? Which species are most banded? What are the various types of bands and markers used, how...
Aug 01, 2022•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 268
For over 30 years, Jeff Watt a.k.a. "The Mayor" has been the foremost manufacturers rep in the hunting and fishing industry, connecting iconic name brand gear manufacturers, major industry retailers and American hunting and fishing consumers. A long-time hunter and habitat manager himself, he knows exactly what we modern hunters need and deserve, but its his truest gift that makes the job look easy. Fantastic discussion about working in the outdoor industry, and about what it takes to succeed th...
Jul 28, 2022•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 267
During their long-awaited return to the fabled Rio Salado swamp, Lee Kjos and Ramsey visit on the little red estancia's front porch. Their conversation wanders through several familiar topics then versus now. Podcast Sponsors: BOSS Shotshells https://bossshotshells.com/ Benelli Shotguns https://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/waterfowl-shotguns Tetra Hearing https://tetrahearing.com/ Kanati Waterfowl Taxidermy https://https://kanati.com/ Mojo Outdoors https://www.mojooutdoors.com/p Tom Beckbe https:...
Jul 25, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 266
It's no secret that Ramsey spends lots of travel time in kitchens visited, because that's usually the best place to get true tastes of local culture as well as food. In today's episode, he meets with chef Facundo Jurado Esquivel, who serves up "5 meals daily" to Las Flores guests. Facu shares a few recipes and cooking techniques, telling Ramsey how he got into hunting, cooking and how longboarding downhill through Patagonia's mountains earned him a spot on the olympic team. Why he thinks food br...
Jul 21, 2022•58 min•Ep. 265
So named for the rosy-billed pochards that darken the sky at times, Las Flores is in Ramsey's opinion hands-down the most consistent Argentina duck hunt in a country that reputedly offers the world's best. But what do clients have to say about it? How do first-time and repeat guests describe hunting here as compared to home? Duck hunting experiences are subjective, and dead ducks are part of the experience. But beyond tired trigger fingers, their answers will probably surprise you. Related Links...
Jul 18, 2022•1 hr 41 min•Ep. 264
Self-taught chef Nathan Judice began cooking his own meals soon after moving to college. He grew up hunting small game in Southeast Louisiana, remembering his waterfowl hunting introductions as being a popular post-season activity in that region. While his own alligator and venison boudin is warming over hot coals, Judice talks about how he began upping his cooking game, why wild critters are his favorite, and why some of his favorite cuts are those that're usually discarded. Saying that "cleani...
Jul 14, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 263
"We don't sell excuses," says Diego Munoz, "We sell good duck hunts." That's certainly been the case for the nearly 15 years that Ramsey has offered the Las Flores program that he describes as the definitively best, most fail-proof duck hunt in Argentina. Las Flores means "the flowers," so named because nobody but nobody owns the rosy-billed pochards like Diego. Nobody. It doesn't happen by accident, either. The 2 long-time friends and associates catch up during their first hunt together since t...
Jul 11, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 262
Ramsey recalls that while growing up in the Mississippi Delta the only notable topography was in the form of ancient indian mounds scattered about an otherwise flat landscape. When were they built and by whom? How'd those people live and what became of them? Retired archaeologist Sam Brookes spent his career studying prehistoric Mississippian Indian cultures and takes Ramsey on a whirlwind tour spanning 13,000 years, explaining why these mounds were built, why they possibly represented the zenit...
Jul 07, 2022•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 261
Growing up hunting waterfowl and small game in Southwest Louisiana, William Newlin first introduced his wife Carolyn to duck hunting while they were still high school sweethearts. They've remained best hunting buddies the nearly 70 years since. In aggregate, they've bagged about 300 game species "not including regular stuff around home like white-tailed deer and 'gators." From livestock-eating tigers and troublesome polar bears during military service to rare blue sheep and overpopulated barnacl...
Jun 30, 2022•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 260
Things get serious as Dr. Richard Kaminski and Ramsey, his former student, address the question, "What happened to US duck hunting during the past 25 years?" First discussing recent research pertaining to winter duck abundance and temperature trends in the Mississippi and Atlantic flyways, they move on to waterfowl habitat quality and quantity, preserving remaining wetlands, hunting pressure and game farm genetic influences. Now "retired," but far from actually retired, Kaminski emphasizes the r...
Jun 27, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 259
Traditional black bear hunting ceased when Mississippi Delta's ancient hardwood forests were cleared long ago, but while the bears are no longer hunted, the sport itself continues. Within the region's seething, dark thickets are thick packs of black, tusk-gnashing wild hogs which are now hunted similarly. Legendary Mississippi storyteller Hank Burdine tells Ramsey about the pigs, people, dogs--and you got to figure a dog named Homicide was somehow legendary--horses and tools-of-the-trade surroun...
Jun 23, 2022•50 min•Ep. 258
A self-started Wisconsin duck hunter, Dr. Richard Kaminski left dental school to "study ducks." And study ducks he did--for about a half-century. Beginning with graduate research studies at Delta Marsh, ending recently as Director of James C. Kennedy Waterfowl and Wetlands Conservation Center, leaving in his wake numerous waterfowl biologists among state, federal and non-governmental organizations integral to delivering the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Between cups of coffee nd blac...
Jun 20, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 257
Going into Father's Day weekend, Ramsey is joined by father-daughter hunting buddies Chris and Grace Nicolai for a truly memorable conversation about spending quality t-I-m-e with your mini-me's. How old was Grace when did Chris start taking his daughters afield? How many goose species has Grace killed with a 410-shotgun? How many states has she hunted, how many species has she bagged--and what's on her wish list? What else in waterfowling has hunting with ol" Dad inspired her to do? Any special...
Jun 16, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 256
Originating in enslaved people's meager personal belongings when brought to South Carolina's remote coastal plains during the 1600s, the long grains eventually became "Carolina Gold," spawning an affluent rice producing culture that provided most of the world supply for over 2 centuries. It ended soon after the Civil War. But as author Virginia Christian Beach and Ramsey Russell discuss, the real story of South Carolina's historically glorious rice culture is the enduring land ethic and the colo...
Jun 13, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 255
Ramsey and Kevin Nelms conclude this year's 4-part duck habitat series discussing cypress brakes and bad habitat management ideas they've seen along Hell Road that's usually paved with otherwise good intentions. As USDA NRCS Wildlife Biologist in the Mississippi Delta, Nelms has spent decades designing and developing numerous private-lands waterfowl impoundments. He's worked extensively with private landowners throughout the region, improving desirable waterfowl habitat conditions, enhancing duc...
Jun 09, 2022•56 min•Ep. 254
Meaningful waterfowl conservation comes in many forms. A life-long Louisiana duck hunter, Paul Dickson's backyard waterfowl aviary seems like a naturally compatible hobby, but eventually evolved into something more. Much, much more. Pinola Conservancy is the largest waterfowl aviary in the United States. Privately owned and closed to the public, this aviary is home to hundreds of bird species from all corners of the globe, from critically endangered to common. Myriad ongoing research projects ar...
Jun 06, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 253
I mean seriously, what little boy hasn't dreamed of owning a real cannon?! Originally from Wisconsin, Duffy Neubauer took it absolutely next level. His Starkville (Mississippi) Civil War Arsenal is a private collection of various artillery, rolling stock and carriages comprising an artillery battery; the only of its kind in the US. After bantering about nuanced differences among the terms Yankee, Damned Yankee and Northerner, Nuebauer takes Ramsey on an absolutely amazing tour. How'd Neubauer de...
Jun 02, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 252
It's been a long while since Ramsey and today's guest, Brian Davis, attended Mississippi State University together. Davis earned master's and PhD degrees studying breeding and brood rearing wood ducks and other aspects of wood duck ecology. Now an Associate Professor of Wildlife Ecology at MSU, Davis describes his duck hunting origins before pitching into wood duck predation (you ain't going to believe it), other interesting findings such as "legacy lead" in various habitats and how the wildlife...
May 30, 2022•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 251
Somewhere along the way the question arises - have you ever seen someone get snake bitten in the scrotum?! Can't make this stuff up, folks! Like other places in the Deep South, Mr. No-Shoulders is just a part of everyday life in Mississippi. Where many folks have a wholesome fear of them, some do not. There's even a snake hand-grabbing, catch-and-release rodeo in the Great State of Mississippi! Ramsey meets with Jimmie Nichols of Grab U One Outfitters, discussing snake experiences, snake identif...
May 26, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 250
Born and raised in Oklahoma, Shane Olson graduated with a degree in wildlife, soon becoming caretaker for Big Lake Duck Club just outside Tulsa. Located among one of the largest waterbodies in Oklahoma, Big Lake Duck Club was established in 1916. After sharing some of it's amazing history, Olson goes into full-blown Duck Farmer mode, plowing deeply into learned habitat practices implemented to ensure quality waterfowl hunting. Covering all the bases of moist-soil management, hot-crop agriculture...
May 23, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 249
Ed Penny spent years mucking through wetlands as a field biologist, plying his learned know-how to improve waterfowl habitat from Mississippi to California. Nowadays his work attire is oftentimes suit and tie, but for damned good reasons. As southern regional Director of Public Policy for Ducks Unlimited, Penny spends many long days across the table from legislators, championing the preservation of remaining wetlands habitat without which we duck hunters are S.O.L. He and Ramsey catch up, learni...
May 19, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 248
A sub-gauge revolution is sweeping across the country as more waterfowl hunters are reinventing their game, swinging 20- and 28-gauge shotguns instead of their trusty ol' 12. George Thompson, Director of Product Management for Benelli, tells Ramsey about adding 28-gauge to the successful Super Black Eagle platform, covering a range of other Benelli-related innovations. Where'd the philosophy "carry a 20-gauge but shoulder a 12-gauge" originate? Why'd they choose 28-gauge and what were some of th...
May 18, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 247
