Lee Kjos, co-owner and brand manager of Boss Shotshells, joins host Chris Jennings to talk about how Boss Shotshells was born from the passion of waterfowling and conservation. Kjos explains the mentality that drives Boss Shotshells – quality shotshells and ethical hunting. Learn about the wide variety of shotshells available direct to consumer. Contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with recommendations or questions. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast https://bossshotshells.com/...
Dec 10, 2020•53 min
Managing hunting pressure is one of the single greatest challenges for waterfowl managers today, as it is important for conserving the waterfowl resource while also providing quality hunting experiences. Dr. Mike Brasher is rejoined by Larry Reynolds and Mike Carloss to discuss the Atchafalaya Delta as a prime example of these challenges, the consequences of management decisions, and the evolution of understanding as hunters and scientists. Contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org...
Dec 09, 2020•33 min
The DU Podcast resumes its discussion about history and change at the Atchafalaya and Wax Lake Deltas. Mike Carloss relives his experiences as manager at the Atchafalaya Delta WMA, including stories of remote living and hunter rescues in the dark. Larry Reynolds tells of the glory days of hunting at the Delta, including brute force navigation, hunting the rising tides, and increased hunting pressure that began to change bird behavior. Contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with ...
Dec 08, 2020•34 min
Larry Reynolds and Mike Carloss join Dr. Mike Brasher for a multi-faceted conversation about coastal Louisiana. We start with a summary of the November waterfowl survey and then begin a discussion about one of the most unique subregions along the Louisiana coast – the Atchafalaya River Delta. We introduce the region, the processes responsible for its development, and the incredible waterfowl resources it historically supported. Contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with recomme...
Dec 07, 2020•40 min
Our eyes are upon Texas in this episode, as we visit with Andy Stetter, USFWS Supervisory Wildlife Biologist, to get an update on waterfowl abundance, habitat conditions, and general hunting success along the Texas coast during the early season. Andy also shares a personal retriever story that while somber at the outset, ultimately produces a surprising development and new hunting partner. We thank Andy for sharing! Contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with recommendations or ...
Dec 04, 2020•30 min
Cindy Anchor, a Master’s student at South Dakota State University, joins the show to discuss preliminary results from her telemetry-based study of the post-fledging and migration movements of mallards from North and South Dakota. Listen to our extended discussion about Cindy’s research, sponsored through DU’s Waterfowl Research Foundation Fellowship, and what it revealed regarding mallard movements out of the Dakotas and into winter. Contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with r...
Dec 03, 2020•59 min
Lt. John Nores, Jr. (Retired) from California Department of Fish and Wildlife discusses his most recent book, Hidden War: How Special Operations Game Wardens are reclaiming America’s wildlands from drug cartels . Nores shares stories from the book about tactics and cleanup of illegal grow operations, and how these operations contaminate water supply, kill wildlife, and damage public lands. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.o...
Dec 02, 2020•34 min
Lt. John Nores, Jr. (Retired) from California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) discusses his most recent book, Hidden War: How Special Operations Game Wardens are reclaiming America’s wildlands from drug cartels . Nores Jr., talks about issues with water, wildlife, and how California game wardens dealt with an attack on public and private lands by drug cartels, and how the issue continues across the U.S. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email...
Dec 01, 2020•40 min
Jon Deeter, co-owner of Guyette and Deeter Auction House, joins the show to discuss the business side of collecting waterfowling history. Hosts Mallori and Katie discuss the current decoy market and the impact of COVID-19. Deeter discusses the auction house’s record-breaking sales and some of the industry’s most historic finds. Katie and Jon lament on the wonderful community of collectors and how they both can’t wait for things to be back in person again. Please subscribe, rate, and review the D...
Nov 30, 2020•28 min
Brook Richard, manager of corporate relations for Higdon Outdoors, joins the DU Podcast to talk about Higdon Outdoors' full line of decoys, MOMarsh blinds, Powers Calls, and even provides a few decoy tips in the process. Richard talks about the importance of motion in your decoys and new products from Higdon. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with recommendations or questions. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Nov 27, 2020•46 min
Re-air from 2019. 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
Nov 26, 2020•18 min
When people think of waterfowl habitats in California, places such as Humboldt Bay and San Francisco Bay probably aren’t the first that come to mind. However, these areas provide valuable habitat for hundreds of thousands of wintering waterfowl annually. On this episode, we visit with DU Regional Biologist, Dr. Renee Spenst, to learn about DU’s wetland conservation priorities, unique restoration opportunities, and a diverse supporter base along the California coast. Please subscribe, rate, and r...
Nov 25, 2020•44 min
Mike Lewis, Arkansas Duck Call Collector and Current Chairman of the Board of Call Makers and Collectors Association of America, joins hosts Mallori and Katie to talk about his journey into call collecting. Lewis speaks about what drew him to Arkansas duck calls and the state’s rich history in waterfowling. He also describes his personal relationship with Call Carver, Billy Ray Starks, and his influence on Lewis’s own call making and collecting. The trio talks about Lewis’s book “Calling the Wil...
Nov 24, 2020•35 min
Ducks Unlimited’s goal of abundant waterfowl populations depends fundamentally on a robust base of productive wetlands across North America. In many regions, wetlands face persistent threats from the exotic, invasive plant known as Phragmites. Today we visit with Emily Tarsa, PhD student at Utah State University and DU Fellowship Recipient, to hear about her research into the restoration of native wetland vegetation in the Great Salt Lake following removal and control of Phragmites. Please subsc...
Nov 23, 2020•40 min
Luke Naylor, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission waterfowl program coordinator, joins the DU Podcast to discuss current conditions going into the 2020-2021 Arkansas waterfowl season. Naylor explains that the state is fairly dry, yet remains optimistic about the opener, and the season to follow. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with recommendations or questions. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Nov 20, 2020•22 min
John Pollmann, DU magazine contributor, joins host Chris Jennings to talk about all-things blinds. The two discuss different approaches for various styles of waterfowling blinds and address the benefits and drawbacks to each one for waterfowl hunters. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with recommendations or questions. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Nov 19, 2020•39 min
In this concluding episode, Drs. Dave Mauser and Mark Petrie discuss recent developments that have further eroded the ability of Refuges in the Klamath Basin to effectively manage wetlands for waterfowl. The consequences of these developments are likely to include fewer birds, less hunting opportunities, and more frequent outbreaks of avian botulism. We close with a discussion of how DU is helping to imagine and deliver conservation solutions for the future. Please subscribe, rate, and review th...
Nov 18, 2020•46 min
The mid-20th Century was a period of variation and transition for Lower Klamath and Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuges, in the hey days supporting upwards of 6 million migrating pintails, but in troubled years being an avian botulism hotspot. The emergence of endangered fish species in the 1990s, however, began to fundamentally change the fate of waterfowl habitat in the region. Our story continues on this episode of the DU Podcast. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact ...
Nov 17, 2020•35 min
Located in southern Oregon and northern California, the Klamath Basin was once known as the most important migration region for waterfowl on the planet. On this episode, join us and our guests, Dr. Dave Mauser and Dr. Mark Petrie, to learn about the region, its historical importance, and how legislation and water developments from over 100 years ago helped shape its conservation legacy and modern-day tribulations. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via e...
Nov 16, 2020•41 min
Chef Jean-Paul Bourgeios joins the DU Podcast to talk about his new project promoting duck-camp cooking and recipes from south Louisiana. He also shares a handful on cooking tips and rants about the ethics of Instagram chefs. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with recommendations or questions. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Nov 13, 2020•40 min
Phil Bourjaily, DU Magazine shotgunning columnist, joins Chris Jennings to talk about the 20-gauge as a viable waterfowl gun. Bourjaily is currently testing out several models and shares his opinions of the 20-gauge. The two discuss new models, improved ammunition options, and other highlights of choosing this small- bore option. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with recommendations or questions. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Nov 12, 2020•26 min
Hunter reports on snow geese suggest everything from a horrible hatch to great production, but what do researchers say? Lacking data from goose banding operations, we turn to field-based surveys of staging geese in prairie Saskatchewan. Worldwide snow goose expert, Dr. Ray Alisauskas, provides our first empirical look at snow and Ross’s goose production in 2020, and we then discuss explanations for low production and populations declines for white geese in the Midcontinent. www.ducks.org/DUPodca...
Nov 11, 2020•1 hr 1 min
Aaron Yetter of the Forbes Biological Station in Havana, Illinois, joins the DU Podcast to provide an update on waterfowl numbers in the Illinois and Mississippi River Valleys during late October and early November. We also discuss recent reports of hunting success and hear about the crazy movements of a radiomarked wood duck. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with recommendations or questions. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Nov 10, 2020•27 min
Waterfowl hunt clubs have played an important role in waterfowl and wetlands conservation since the mid-19th Century. The Winous Point Shooting Club, at the southwestern end of Lake Erie, stands as North America’s oldest, continuously running duck club. In this episode, we visit with John Simpson, manager of Winous Point, for an introduction to its history and vital contributions to waterfowl hunting, wetland conservation, scientific research, and habitat management. Please subscribe, rate, and ...
Nov 09, 2020•48 min
Hosts Dr. Mike Brasher and Chris Jennings have a quick discussion on the basics of what separates these waterfowl types. Brasher explains anatomy, feeding types, and other differences between these ducks, while Jennings brings a handful of fun facts to the show. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with recommendations or questions. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Nov 06, 2020•25 min
Host Chris Jennings is joined by John Pollmann, Ducks Unlimited magazine contributor, to take a deep dive into lifetime skills for waterfowl hunters. Pollmann wrote a piece that relates to this topic for ducks.org , but the pair go even further into the discussion about becoming an all-around duck and goose hunter. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with recommendations or questions. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Nov 03, 2020•35 min
Continuing with a focus on winter weather and how it is influencing waterfowl migrations, we are joined by Dr. Mike Schummer, SUNY ESF, to discuss his use of weather metrics to forecast duck migration in the eastern U.S. We also get an update on conditions in the Northeast and discuss the potential implications of a strengthening La Nina for winter weather, habitat conditions, and hunter opportunities. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPo...
Nov 02, 2020•41 min
Jay Anglin, DU’s Great Lakes Region Migration Editor joins the show to talk about the current state of migration. Multiple weather systems have pushed ducks and geese into historical migration corridors and Anglin provides a glimpse into the current hunting conditions. He also explains that the best is yet to come. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with recommendations or questions. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Oct 29, 2020•18 min
As a series of strong mid-October cold fronts settles across the prairies and Midwest, there are widespread reports of frozen wetlands, snow-covered fields, and an exodus of waterfowl out of Canada. On this episode, we go back to our trusty source of intel from the Canadian Prairies, Dr. Scott Stephens, fresh from his likely “last hunt of the season” for a report on weather conditions, migration, and a bit of informed speculation on how these conditions are affecting behaviors of ducks and geese...
Oct 28, 2020•38 min
Guest hosts, Mallori Murphey and Katie Burke, are joined by Marty Hanson, world-renowned decoy carver, to discuss how he became a carver and much more. Hanson gets into detail about different species and even individual species he prefers to carve. The trio talk about his unique approach and what makes his carving style different from other carvers throughout North America. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with recommen...
Oct 27, 2020•32 min
