Chicoteague, Virginia's outgoing mayor, Arthur Leonard is a lifelong duck hunter and decoy carver that recalls his family being among the first to inhabit the little island along Virginia's Eastern Shore, where he grew up plying nearby water for fishes and waterfowl. He takes us on a tour of his storied back yard, discussing island life, duck hunting species, tides, boats, decoys, carving, wild horses, sika deer, changes and much more. Visit MOJO’s Duck Season Somewhere Podcast Sponsors: MOJO Ou...
Jan 09, 2025•1 hr 43 min•Ep. 546
For combat veteran Andrew Biggio, who's now on the Boston Police force, a relative's hand-written letter from the WWII Pacific battlefield compelled him down an interesting life path. He's collected WWII combat stories from over 500 veterans as told through a M1 Rifle. Through book proceeds and donations, the Rifle Project has returned with over 50 Veterans back to their former battlefields in France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands at no cost to the veteran or their fam...
Jan 06, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 545
Following a duck hunt along Virginia's Eastern Shore, Ramsey meets with father-son carvers, Ian and Mark McNair, who are committed to crafting wooden waterfowl decoys using only traditional hand tools and methods. More than simply turning out beautiful decoys, their decoy carving story is about a classical approach to duck hunting as well as to life. Visit MOJO’s Duck Season Somewhere Podcast Sponsors: MOJO Outdoors Benelli Shotguns BOSS Shotshells Bow and Arrow Outdoors Ducks Unlimited Flash Ba...
Jan 02, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 544
With legions of die-hard customers, Dave Smith Decoys have long been regarded as the most realistic and utterly effective decoys available. But who is the man behind these legendary craft decoys, and what does his functional art say about him as a hunter and a human being? You'd have to figure him a serious goose hunter if nothing else. Legendary decoy maker Dave Smith describes growing up hunting and trapping in Oregon, artistic influences, starting a decoy company, and more. We get deep into t...
Dec 30, 2024•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 543
Roland Cortez talks about being born and raised duck hunting in South Louisiana's marshes, his earliest influences and introductions, how and why he's been guiding duck hunts for a very long time, and even why coots--yes coots--are among his favorite game birds as tablefare. We talk about then versus now, raising young hunters, prevalent species hunted, favored hunting techniques, hopes for the season remainder and future, and much more. Ramsey even adds "attend coot round up with Roland Cortez"...
Dec 26, 2024•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 542
Jack Miner Bible-verse-inscribed leg bands have long been revered as holy grail momentos among in-the-know waterfowl hunters. Formed in 1904 by a former fur trapper and market hunter, the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary once garnered international attention and was Canada's foremost tourist attraction, connecting legions of both hunters and non-hunters to wild geese and ducks. But times change. Public interests shift. Now in a time where habitat loss is unprecedented, where hunter participat...
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 541
Saying that museums tell stories, Chesapeake Bay historian and preservationist, C. John Sullivan, takes us on a personal tour of one of the largest private collections amassed, where each artifact represents one of the most storied time periods in American waterfowling history. After a brief visit--where I actually shouldered a 22-pound, 4-gauge, side-by-side blackpowder shotgun--we talk about giant guns, specialized hunting tools, market hunter techniques, wooden decoys, famous carvers, and a c...
Dec 19, 2024•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 540
"Almost Heaven, West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River," go the John Denver lyrics. The iconic song never mentions ducks or duck hunting. For good reason. Because they're few and far between, but not impossible. State 48 was a huge, successful adventure thanks to friend Mike Smith. Following a couple eventful days duck hunting West Virginia, we crack open a couple Busch Lights, recall the weeks events, talk about his growing up and duck hunting in this off-the-beaten-flyway part o...
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 539
Rob Shaw's ancestors moved to Prince Edward Island 5 generations ago. They've since made their livings and fed their families by seasonally availing themselves of the island's inherently abundant natural resources--namely tourists, ducks and seafood. A memorable pair black duck used as live decoys are recalled among many other things. Island life still revolves these resources, black ducks are a real big deal, and in hearing Rob recall lifetime events here you gain the sense of a real tightly-kn...
Dec 16, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 538
This season's 6-province Canadian part if the tour terminates 8 miles into the Atlantic--as easterly as personally ever been in North America--on the picturesque Prince Edward Island where my host, Geoff "Woody" Wood welcomes me with fresh Malpeque oysters and kicks things off with as traditional island-style decoys as it gets. Following a couple days memorable black duck hunts and eats, and with a nor'easter blowing outside, we talk about Prince Edward Island duck hunting, species, techniques, ...
Dec 12, 2024•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 537
Our beloved retrievers are our ride-and-die best friends, but they're also high-performing athletes with singular life missions to recover downed birds regardless of weather conditions. They deserve the very best nutrition. With an if-you-know-you-know, almost cult-like following among serious US retriever circles, Inukshuk Professional Dog Food is sold directly to consumers and has no ambitions of being widely distributed in big-box retailers. Raised into the business, company president Emily C...
Dec 11, 2024•51 min•Ep. 536
A month-and-a-half and 11-plus-thousand miles after starting this year's North American Waterfowl Road Trip finally arrives to new territory, to the land-time-forgot (so described for reasons discussed herein) province of New Brunswick, Canada. Joining local go-getter hunters Matt Wilson and Stephen Margison, am immersed neck-deep into Maritime Canada waterfowl hunting culture where distances are described relative to time, where directions are described relative to the St. Johns River, and wher...
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 535
Breaking a streak of mishaps, happening by accident onto Moonshine Creek Distillery was pure luck. It was maybe even some kind of divine providence. "Well, I've been making it legally for about 6 years," says Jeremiah Brooks in giving us the full run down, explaining how he went from tending bars and improving his understanding of spirits to creating the Canada Whiskey of the Year---plus a bar-top-full assortment of unique flavors reflecting real New Brunswick--just a few short years later. More...
Dec 05, 2024•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 534
Just in time for Christmas--because few if any of us are leaving the blind to elbow our way through crowded shopping malls--Duck Unlimited's David Schuessler takes us Into the Vault, where this year's offerings are bigger and better than ever. Whether trying to find something for that someone's that's hard to shop for, or shopping for yourself, here's your extraordinary chance to claim rare and exclusive treasures, from unique, one-of-a-kind firearms to remarkable prints and never-before-seen re...
Dec 04, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 533
Back home for the Mississippi duck season opener, Ramsey meets his 2 favorite hunting buddies, sons Forrest and Duncan. Duck season opener at camp a decades-old tradition. Recalling past times and people, they discuss the day's events and plot the season's remainder. Visit MOJO’s Duck Season Somewhere Podcast Sponsors: MOJO Outdoors Benelli Shotguns BOSS Shotshells Ducks Unlimited Flash Back Decoys HuntProof Premium Waterfowl App Inukshuk Professional Dog Food Tetra Hearing Tom Beckbe Voormi Get...
Dec 02, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 532
Ramsey hears what fathers and sons most enjoyed about their bucket-list hunt in Argentina for ducks, doves, pigeons and more. Their answers might surprise you. And how the heck did Ramsey go from favorite nephew to 5th-favorite of only four?! Tune in to find out. Whether curious about what it's all about or thinking about a bucket-list hunt yourself, you'll probably enjoy these candid perspectives. Related Link: Best Bucket-list Father-Son Hunting Adventures https://www.getducks.com/argentina-du...
Nov 28, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 531
What kind of migration might you expect to see this duck season? FowlWeather Podcast host, Michael Schummer, returns to give us the lowdown on this year's migration forecast, explaining how and why his forecast indices were developed, important cues to monitor, how to stay updated weekly, and relevance to both anxious duck hunters and to continuing science-based, hunter-oriented waterfowl management. By the time this special episode airs, the US waterfowl hunting season will be ongoing nearly na...
Nov 27, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 530
PART 2---For 71 years, Worth Matthewson of Eugene, Oregon, has chased waterfowl and other gamebirds throughout North America and worldwide. A genuine side-by-side and big-bore aficionado, he's authored many books and is widely recognized as an authority in waterfowling history, having accumulated so many stories it takes 2 episodes to scratch the surface good. With unrivaled perspective, Matthewson covers many topics to include an early interest in birds, memorable hunting locations, influences,...
Nov 25, 2024•1 hr 47 min•Ep. 529
PART 1---For 71 years, Worth Matthewson of Eugene, Oregon, has chased waterfowl and other gamebirds throughout North America and worldwide. A genuine side-by-side and big-bore aficionado, he's authored many books and is widely recognized as an authority in waterfowling history, having accumulated so many stories it takes 2 episodes to scratch the surface good. With unrivaled perspective, Matthewson covers many topics to include an early interest in birds, memorable hunting locations, influences,...
Nov 21, 2024•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 528
Born-and-raised Arkansas native Rusty Creasey was manager and head guide at legendary Coca-Cola Woods Duck Club for 20 years, continuing the legacy of his uncle Harvey, who managed the property for the 40 years prior. Recognized for his learned-from-a-lifetime-doing-it expertise, Rusty shares his thoughts on Arkansas flooded timber hunting, thoughtfully covering the topics of growing up in rural Arkansas, life lessons and important influences, a lifetime spent in Coca Cola woods, habitat conditi...
Nov 18, 2024•1 hr 56 min•Ep. 527
Regional Director, Ryan Watson gives us a great then-and-now overview of Delta Waterfowl and how they fit in the grand scheme of conservation both locally and continentally. We talk about the origins of Delta waterfowl, predator management, accomplishing the Million Duck initiative, hen houses, nest boxes, working with other conservation orgs, volunteering and, importantly, how chapters can put conservation on the ground locally. Visit MOJO’s Duck Season Somewhere Podcast Sponsors: MOJO Outdoors...
Nov 14, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 526
One of North America's most unique webless gamebirds, sandhill cranes are oftentimes referred to as "ribeyes of the sky" and included among popular waterfowl slam listings. Alabama biologist Courtnay Conring has studied them extensively and hunted them seriously. We do a deep dive into sandhill cranes to include migrating and non-migrating populations, which populations are hunted and protected, differences between greater and lesser sandhill cranes, habitat, diet, habitat conservation, new hunt...
Nov 11, 2024•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 525
You've traveled far away from home for a dream hunt and--all things equal, some days better than others--waterfowl are a constant. It's the everything else that really makes a huge difference. Which is why on the heels of another epic 3-day waterfowl hunt at Prairie Limits Outfitters, I met with Brian Cramer to gain insight on "controlling the controllables" and delivering superior, made-to-feel-at-home hospitality. Because too few do it as well. Related Links: Prairie Limit Outfitters Waterfowl...
Nov 07, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 524
Hunting trips are no place to lose a few pounds. To the contrary, you should be ready to loosen your belt, eat like kings, enjoy. Which is exactly why Chef DJ is among the most popular people at Prairie Limits Outfitters in Saskatchewan, why his specialties are in high demand by returning guests, and why everyone gravitates towards his kitchen throughout the day. Sharing some hallmark recipes along the way, Chef DJ talks about growing up in rural Canada, his interest in cooking, learning to cook...
Nov 04, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 523
What's it like growing up a young, avid waterfowler in the north-of-the-border Land of Plenty? How's it similar to the USA--and how's it different? What might you wish be different, and for what might you be most thankful? In a random turn of events, Ramsey falls in with 3 die-hard, young-gun Manitoba hunters who show him what it's like growing up a goose hunter these days in Canada and share some interesting and downright surprising insights. And to think it all started with a shiny new moped i...
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 522
Located between massive lakes Winnipeg and Manitoba, the fabled Interlakes Region has been an important stop over for migrating Canada geese since forever--especially for that population of big honkers known locally as "Churchills." The region annually attracts goose hunters like myself that can't seem to get enough of them. Sometimes the stars align and we're even there at the same time. Following an action-packed week and a big ol' celebratory T-bone steak, I meet with Manitoba friends Troy Be...
Oct 28, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 521
Capt. Jeff Coats aka The Pitboss shares decades duck hunting experiences on the Chesapeake Bay, how and why he built a name brand that's become synonymous with sea duck hunting this waters. Recalling his first duck hunting experiences, he describes important influences in decoy carving, guiding, and life. We discuss "the world's largest duck boat," retrievers and training, missing sea ducks, decoy carving, evolving medias since the internet's inception, and more! Like mach-3 scoters sweeping lov...
Oct 24, 2024•1 hr 46 min•Ep. 520
So critical to Pacific Flyway waterfowl was this region that the Lower Klamath NWR was established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908 as the first waterfowl refuge in the United States. In the 1950s, more pintails were counted in nearby Tule Lake than exists on earth today, and a surprising amount of Pacific Flyway waterfowl are produced or overwinter here! As reported in EP 154. Understanding the Klamath Water War (link below), times have changed--natural droughts have been exacerbated by ...
Oct 21, 2024•52 min•Ep. 519
Located in Chambers County, Texas, the Double Bayou community has a storied, oftentimes truth-is-stranger-than-fiction past. It was there that Blake Moulton learned to duck hunt from his father, who was simply passing along the same torch handed him by predecessors. In some ways, things have changed. In other ways they never will. Beneath a sprawling live oak that's shaded Moulton's family for 5 generations, he talks about growing up, the local community, family traditions, and the people that i...
Oct 17, 2024•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 518
There's plenty North Dakota waterfowl hunting opportunities for ducks, snows, cacklers, honkers and tundra swans, and depending on what you're chasing the overall season runs late-September (for non-residents) through bone-chilling, mid-December. For those wanting the convenience of an experienced can-do outfitter, nobody does it better than Dirty Bird Outfitters. Now in their 10th season, owner-founder Matthew Piehl and head viking-guide Nick Marcyes describe how a kindred love-hate spirit for ...
Oct 14, 2024•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 517
