Last summer, Chêne Gear announced their new waders. Rumors spread throughout the industry about these new waders. Jeff Jones, Chief Product Officer for Chêne Gear, joins host Chris Jennings to talk about this exciting new product for waterfowlers. Jones and Jennings get into the weeds about the technical aspects of these new waders and much more. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with recommendations or questions. www.du...
Oct 04, 2021•44 min
Tony Vandemore, co-owner of Habitat Flats, joins the DU Podcast to discuss the ups and downs of his teal season in Missouri. Vandemore shares some insights into what he is hearing from guys north of the border, as far as bird numbers and habitat. Host Chris Jennings and Vandemore talk about his habitat management efforts throughout the summer and leading up to the season opener. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Oct 01, 2021•17 min
Intense drought and constrained water supplies are causing unprecedented dry conditions in the Klamath Basin in 2021, resulting in minimal habitat for fall migrating waterfowl. DU regional biologists Amelia Raquel and Chris Colson provide an update on the dire conditions, but look forward with optimism to partner-drive solutions and silver linings emerging from the drought. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Oct 01, 2021•43 min
Green-winged teal are the smallest of our North American dabbling ducks with a short neck and small bill. Dr. Mike Brasher and Chris Jennings go into the details about this fascinating species. The pair discuss the species’ breeding habits, migrating, and wintering distribution. Prized by hunters for their abundance and as table fare, there’s a lot to learn about Green-wings. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Sep 28, 2021•53 min
The Canadian Boreal Forest is an important breeding region for many species of ducks, but it is regularly influenced by wildfire and other disturbances. Moriah Tanguay, a master’s student and DU Fellowship winner from the University of Saskatchewan, joins the podcast to discuss how her research is helping answer questions about how these disturbances may affect scaup and scoters, and what it means for DU conservation in the Boreal Forest. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Sep 23, 2021•37 min
Mark McBride of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission joins the podcast to introduce us to the diverse waterfowl and habitats of the Sunshine State. A wetland rich landscape, supporting numerous species of ducks and home to nearly 15,000 waterfowl hunters, Florida is not to be overlooked. Mark also shares an update on the 2021 early teal season and explains why their regulations differ from most other states. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Sep 22, 2021•29 min
DU’s Chief Policy Officer, Zach Hartman, offers an exciting overview of the important role that policy efforts play in helping DU achieve our waterfowl and wetland conservation mission. Despite the many challenges we faced in 2020 and 2021, the year was very successful from a policy perspective, with important wins in NAWCA, the Land and Water Conservation Funds, and numerous state-level issues. We also learn of the value of bi-partisan support for conservation and the role our volunteers play i...
Sep 21, 2021•54 min
Virginia Getz, DU’s director of conservation programs for CA, NV, AZ, and HI, joins the DU Podcast for an in-depth discussion of how drought is impacting the Central Valley of California. Fewer acres of winter-flooded rice and less water for managed wetlands will provide fewer hunting opportunities and likely change waterfowl behaviors and movements. Listen in for updates and insights on what hunters need to know. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Sep 17, 2021•56 min
Katie Burke, manager of the Waterfowling Heritage Center, is back to discuss call collecting and the history of Illinois duck calls with Ryan Graves. Graves shares his journey of becoming a call collector and how that has evolved into the first-rate collection of duck calls he owns today. He speaks on the importance of mentorship in collecting. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with questions. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Sep 16, 2021•35 min
Kevin Kraai, waterfowl program leader for TPWD, joins the Podcast to discuss hunting and habitat throughout Texas. Kraai details the impacts Hurricane Nicholas may have on the current conditions and how that can impact the rest of teal season. 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
Sep 15, 2021•25 min
It’s early September, and that means bluewing talk with Dr. Scott Stephens, DU Canada’s director of operations for the Prairie and Boreal. Scott shares insights from his early season hunts, continuing drought conditions, and assists with a bonus duckology discussion about how to age and sex blue-winged teal based on wing plumage alone. 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/DUP...
Sep 09, 2021•33 min
Host Chris Jennings is joined by DU magazine contributor John Pollmann to discuss a popular topic – freelancing the prairies. Pollmann’s experiences as a South Dakota resident provides a different perspective to freelancing and the pair discuss common tactics, including best practices to approach landowners. 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...
Sep 09, 2021•34 min
Dr. Mike Anderson, emeritus scientist of DU Canada’s Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research, rejoins Dr. Mike Brasher to discuss wetland conditions, duck production, and the advance of wetland drainage in the famed Minnedosa landscape of southwestern Manitoba. Dr. Anderson shares that late summer wetlands were “not as bad as expected” and some broods were observed. We also hear thoughts on where this year ranks among previous droughts and what the road into fall-winter may look like. www.d...
Sep 07, 2021•42 min
Brad Allen, owner of Elite Calls, joins host Chris Jennings to talk about competitive calling, meat calling, and just learning how to be a better duck caller. He explains how he got into calling, practice sessions, and the mentors he had coming up. Allen also details his own method of teaching people to be better duck callers. 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...
Sep 06, 2021•41 min
Hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher join forces to bring you the first in a series of species profiles covering our North American waterfowl. The blue-winged teal enjoys the spotlight in this episode. One of our most unique dabbling ducks, spending summer in the prairies and winter in the mangroves of Mexico, bluewings are the last to arrive on the breeding grounds and the first to head south, providing hunters with an early opportunity to return afield after a long hot summer. Please subs...
Sep 03, 2021•43 min
Jay Anglin, WF360 Great Lakes Migration Editor, joins Chris Jennings to talk about habitat and teal numbers throughout the Great Lakes. Anglin explains that many areas appear to have good to fair habitat and property managers are reporting an influx of bluewings. Canada goose numbers also appear to be strong as that season begins as well. 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/...
Sep 02, 2021•16 min
Hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher recap Season 4 and then provide a brief overview of new content coming in Season 5. Brasher discusses habitat conditions and what he has been hearing about conditions in the Prairie Pothole Region, along with some other habitat updates. There’s an exciting lineup of shows for the fall! 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...
Sep 01, 2021•17 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...
Aug 30, 2021•47 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 ...
Aug 27, 2021•36 min
Located in southern Oregon and northern California, the Klamath Basin was once known as the most important wintering area 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 ema...
Aug 26, 2021•41 min
Dr. Fritz Reid, DU’s director of Boreal and Arctic conservation, provides the DU Podcast with an unplanned and optimistic update on habitat conditions and population reports from the boreal forest and Alaska. In welcome contrast to the prairies, anecdotal reports suggest large number of ducks and excellent wetland conditions across these massive landscapes, which may boost production of boreal-nesting species such as greenwings, ringnecks, wigeon, among others. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Jul 20, 2021•17 min
Winding down the summer season, the DU Podcast reconnects with Dr. Scott Stephens, DU Canada director of regional operations for the prairies and boreal, for a late summer update on habitat conditions and expectations for fall hunting. Dr. Stephens also responds to a listener’s question about why breeding wetlands aren’t intensively managed similarly to what occurs for migrating and wintering birds. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Jul 16, 2021•42 min
Kayle Browning, first-time Olympic trap shooter, joins the Ducks Unlimited Podcast to talk about her path to earning her spot on Team USA, as well as her excitement for the upcoming Olympic Games. Browning, a well-accomplished shooter on the world stages, is also an avid duck hunter who grew up hunting Arkansas’ storied, flooded timber habitats with her family. Hear how she is preparing for her upcoming trip to Tokyo, and all that entails being a member of Team USA. Please subscribe, rate, and r...
Jul 07, 2021•36 min
Dr. Jennell Appel, DVM, CCRT with SPORTVET Canine Rehab & Sports Medicine, joins the DU Podcast to talk with host Chris Jennings about ways to avoid commons injuries in sporting dogs. Dr. Appel explains how to avoid these injuries, but also goes into detail about how to properly rehabilitate your retriever. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with recommendations or questions....
Jun 30, 2021•41 min
Curious about field trials and hunt tests? Karl Gunzer, director of the Sporting Dog Group for Purina Pro Plan, joins the show discuss his decades of experience with field trial training and competing. Gunzer shares his personal experiences and advice for those interested in getting started. 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...
Jun 24, 2021•41 min
2021 marked the first year in which Manitoba offered a spring conservation season for overabundant resident Canada geese. Join us in the episode as we speak with Frank Baldwin, waterfowl biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service, to learn about the season, why it was deemed necessary, what science was used to inform it, how it avoids harvest of non-target populations, and whether non-resident hunters can participate. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Jun 23, 2021•23 min
For the second consecutive year, the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey has been cancelled. Dr. Ken Richkus, chief of the USFWS Division of Migratory Bird Management, describes how the situation and decisions unfolded in 2021, including initial optimism and advanced planning that ultimately had to be shelved. How will this affect harvest regs, what other methods were considered, and what is the plan going forward? We answer these questions and more on the DU Podcast. www.ducks.org/...
Jun 22, 2021•36 min
Dr. Steve Adair, DU chief scientist, joins the DU Podcast to talk about how DU uses science to make conservation decisions and to share some updates on some research. Adair and host Chris Jennings talk about DU’s Ecosystem Services programs and how wetlands benefit more than just waterfowl. 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...
Jun 21, 2021•48 min
Although severe drought has gripped the U.S. and Canadian prairies over the past year, recent rains are providing welcome relief. How much rain, how widespread, and was it too late to benefit duck production in 2021 are relevant questions of the day. On this episode, Pat Kehoe, DU Canada’s director of international partnerships, shares his observations based on a recent trip across the Canadian prairies. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DU...
Jun 17, 2021•27 min
Mike Szymanski, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, joins the DU Podcast to discuss the results of his agency’s 2021 Breeding Duck Survey. Highlights include a record 80% year-over-year decline in pond counts and a nearly 50% decline in the number of mallards settling in North Dakota. How widespread is the drought, what are its implications for waterfowl and hunters, and have the recent rains provided any relief? Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via...
Jun 14, 2021•40 min
