David Schuessler, National Director of Event Fundraisng and R3, joins the DU Podcast to talk about Into the Vault 2, an online auction launched by DU on Nov. 22. Into the Vault 2 features unique items from across the country including rare guns, prints, original paintings, trips, decoys, and so much more. Schuessler and Chris Jennings discuss the auction, several items, and even discuss how this money conserves habitat in North America. To bid on one of these fantastic items, visit www.ducks.org...
Nov 23, 2021•21 min
Will Kutscher, Filson content producer, joins host Chris Jennings for an exciting talk about producing the high-quality content at Filson.com. Kutscher has traveled the globe creating in-depth stories of the men and women who rely on Filson gear to live their lives or make a living. Kutscher shares his favorite adventure to date and his best advice for amateur content creators out there to take their content to the next level. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Nov 23, 2021•39 min
Hosts Dr. Mike Brasher and Chris Jennings dive into another one of the more popular waterfowl species in North America. Brasher explains some of the unique characteristics of this species in regards to feeding habitat, breeding habitats, and life cycle needs. The two discuss the habitat preferences as well as preferred food sources of the gadwall. It’s everything you’ve wanted to know about the gadwall. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Nov 22, 2021•53 min
Matt Wilson, statewide waterfowl specialist for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, joins the show to provide a quick update on habitat conditions and hunter reports across the state of Washington. Pacific storms have improved habitats in eastern parts of the state, but have produced damaging floods west of the Cascades and have changed the landscape for waterfowl and hunters. On balance, its been a mixed bag and generally an average season thus far. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Nov 19, 2021•17 min
Chris Akin, owner and operator of Webb Footed Kennels, hops on the Podcast with Chris Jennings to chat about SportDog BRAND E-Collar introductions, mid-season training sessions, and even the best way to prepare a retriever for a light goose hunt. Akin, with more than 30 years of experience training retrievers, brings a wealth of e-collar advice to trainers of all experience levels. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Nov 19, 2021•38 min
Austin Booth, director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, joins the DU Podcast to conclude our discussion about the difficult yet necessary changes to water management in Arkansas’s famed greentree reservoirs. From his perspective as a father, hunter, and agency director, Austin shares insights on leadership, outreach efforts, hunter concerns, and why AGFC is so committed to seeking long-term solutions to preserve the legacy of Arkansas’s flooded timber. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Nov 17, 2021•1 hr
Luke Naylor (Arkansas Game and Fish) and Jake Spears (Ducks Unlimited) are back for part 2 of our in-depth discussion about changes in water level management for Arkansas’s GTRs. With the problem diagnosed, AGFC and partners are beginning to implement solutions, none of which will be easy, quick, or inexpensive. Change is coming and it will require increased adaptability of Arkansas’s hunters, but embracing a longer-term view of GTR management is vital for preserving its legacy. www.ducks.org/DU...
Nov 16, 2021•53 min
Few scenes evoke more wonder than flocks of mallards descending into flooded timber of Arkansas’s GTRs. While consistent management of water levels for more than half a century has produced predictable habitat for waterfowl and hunters, it has come with a price. In the first of this 3-part series, Luke Naylor, waterfowl program coordinator for Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and Jake Spears, DU biologist, join the podcast to discuss the history and declining health of Arkansas’s GTRs. www.duc...
Nov 15, 2021•48 min
Following an abnormally mild fall, winter temps and regional snowfall are triggering an abrupt change on the Canadian prairies. Dr. Scott Stephens shares insights on recent weather systems that dropped up to 20” of snow in parts of Manitoba and are certain to usher south any waterfowl that remain in Canada. Does this change the outlook for the prairie drought and what should U.S. hunters expect as they head afield? Join us for perhaps our last discussion with Scott for this season. www.ducks.org...
Nov 12, 2021•25 min
Motivated by a phone call from 17-year old Brynna Malley from San Antonio, Texas, this episode introduces us to the Texas Brigades youth education program and how it is making a difference in training our next generation of conservationists. Michael Petter, a volunteer with the Brigades, shares details about the program, while Brynna inspires us with her story and how she plans to spread the conservation message. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Nov 12, 2021•49 min
We welcome Dan Thiel back to the podcast for the second part of the series discussing the history and formation of Ducks Unlimited. In this episode, Dan and host, Katie Burke, take a side bar and chat about the influence of Jay “Ding” Darling on waterfowl and wetland conservation in the United States. The pair discuss Darling’s pivotal role in creating the Federal Duck Stamp program and other works ultimately influencing the direction of DU. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Nov 10, 2021•31 min
Host Chris Jennings is joined by Daniel and Neill Haas from Mossy Oak. The two share the story of Mossy Oak, from the early days when their grandmother was sewing garments in the attic, to today’s global distribution. The conversation turns to duck hunting and conservation, and both share the reason behind the company’s passion for waterfowl and habitat conservation. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Nov 08, 2021•44 min
Dr. Johann Walker, director of operations for DU’s Great Plains region, provides an update on prairie habitat conditions and introduces us to the vital role that Duck Stamps and the USFWS Small Wetland Acquisition Program play in protecting prairie wetlands and grasslands. With roots to 1934 and nearly 4 million acres of breeding duck habitat protected, this program remains one of DU’s highest priorities. Johann also shares Christmas shopping advice to help protect wetlands. www.ducks.org/DUPodc...
Nov 05, 2021•40 min
In this science-heavy episode, Dr. Heath Hagy and Mike Brasher take a deep dive into duck foraging ecology, how we study it, and why it’s important for effective habitat management and conservation planning. Using entertaining analogies of crowded buffet tables and Thanksgiving feasts, we learn about complexities of foraging decisions and why feeding behavior doesn’t always indicate food in the water. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Nov 03, 2021•53 min
C. John Sullivan, historian and collector, joins host, Katie Burke, to talk about the history of waterfowling on the Chesapeake Bay. The pair discuss topics ranging from historic guns clubs to market hunters to the rise of conservation on this infamous waterfowling landscape. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Nov 01, 2021•35 min
Jay Anglin, Great Lakes Migration Editor, joins host Chris Jennings to talk about the hunting and habitat around the Great Lakes. Anglin breaks down Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio in this discussion and provides reports from waterfowl managers and hunters he has spoken to. With more typical fall weather in the forecast, Anglin is optimistic about the coming weeks. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Oct 29, 2021•20 min
Bill Buckley, professional photographer and freelance contributor for Ducks Unlimited magazine, joins host Chris Jennings to discuss photographing dogs in the field. Buckley gets into the basics of shooting good photography and dealing with common retriever-related problems when trying to capture the perfect images of your four-legged hunting companion. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Oct 29, 2021•35 min
John Veon, Masters student from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, joins Dr. Mike Brasher to answer the question of whether body mass of harvested mallards in Arkansas has changed since the late 1970s. What role have weather patterns, habitat management, or other landscape changes played in the observed trends, and what can hunters and managers take from these findings. Special thanks to all the hunters that provided these data and made the project possible! www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Oct 27, 2021•39 min
Addison Edmonds, found of Gunner, along with Cory Loeffler, owner of DRC Calls, join host Chris Jennings to talk about a recent hunt they had in Northern Minnesota and discuss Loeffler’s Labrador retriever, Rue. Edmonds explains how Gunner is looking to highlight the story of other dogs he meets on hunts and other adventures and how Rue had an impact on him during their hunt. Loeffler also goes into detail about Rue’s unique training and early accomplishments. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Oct 26, 2021•41 min
Dan Thiel, Executive Secretary of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. and Chief Operating Officer of Wetlands America Trust, joins podcast host, Katie Burke, in this part of a multiple part series discussing the history and formation of Ducks Unlimited. In this episode the pair talk about Nash Buckingham, the famous sportsman and writer, and the important role he played in the founding of our organization. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Oct 25, 2021•32 min
Dr. Mark Gloutney, DU Canada’s director of regional operations for eastern Canada and British Columbia, joins Dr. Mike Brasher for an introduction to the diverse wetland systems and waterfowl populations of eastern Canada. Mark also provides an update on 2021 breeding habitat conditions and early observations from the hunting season. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Oct 22, 2021•34 min
Dr. Mike Schummer from SUNY ESF joins the DU Podcast to provide an update on early season hunting and habitat conditions from New York. Mike also shares insights on how climate systems and weather patterns are unfolding this fall. Signs are pointing to a cold outbreak in early November, likely triggering additional migration, but the outlook beyond that may be less encouraging. Listen in for all the details and possibilities. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Oct 21, 2021•33 min
McNeill Dinkins (Jackson, MS) and Max Shackelford (Memphis, TN), winners of the 2021 DU National Scholarships, join Mark Horobetz, manager of DU’s Youth and Education Programs and host Dr. Mike Brasher to discuss their stories, future plans, and what it means to be a leader among DU’s volunteers. Mature beyond their age, McNeill and Max are perfect examples of why DU invests in our youth. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Oct 20, 2021•43 min
Tom Dokken, veteran trainer, joins the DU Podcast on behalf of SportDOG Brand to talk about the processes he uses when training with e-collar. Dokken shares insights into the step-by-step process of introducing the e-collar into your training sessions, and how he approaches the timing of those introductions. He also discusses common errors made by amateur trainers that you should avoid at all cost. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Oct 18, 2021•40 min
Robbie Smith, Sporting Arts Director at Leland Little Auctions and North Carolina decoy collector, joins the podcast with host, Katie Burke, to discuss his journey into waterfowling and collecting North Carolina decoys. The two discuss the importance of mentorship and friendships when beginning your collecting career. Robbie talks about his interest in carvers like James Best and Malachi Waterfield and why their work speaks to him. He also speaks on the insurgence of North Carolina decoys on the...
Oct 15, 2021•28 min
Retired DU Chief Scientist, Dr. Tom Moorman, and DU Canada’s Dr. Scott Stephens join the podcast to provide an informative and entertaining recap of recent hunting exploits on the Canadian prairies. “Dry” remains the operative word, yielding low hunting success, scattered ducks, and interesting observations. Dr. Stephens also shares insights from his experimentation with a new decoy tactic…enter the “song dog!” www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Oct 14, 2021•48 min
Former collegiate footballer and current USFWS waterfowl ecologist, Dr. Heath Hagy, joins Dr. Mike Brasher on the DU Podcast to discuss his role in helping the USFWS Refuge System meet habitat needs of waterfowl in the southeastern U.S. What is the role of sanctuary, why are crops grown on Refuges, how are Refuge priorities set, what are the Refuges greatest challenges, and much more, all in one episode! www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Oct 13, 2021•37 min
APEX Ammunition hit the market in the turkey woods several years back, but the owners had a vision to move these high-performance loads into the waterfowling community. APEX Ammunition CEO Jason Lonsberry joins host Chris Jennings on the DU Podcast to talk about their multiple ammunition offerings for duck and goose hunters, and the pair discuss the technical aspects of TSS, blends, and APEX’s S3 Steel loads. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Oct 11, 2021•45 min
Colin McNair, decoy specialist at Copley Fine Art Auctions, returns to the show to chat with host Katie Burke about the last year of auctions and health of the decoy market. Katie and Colin also express their excitement for the return of decoys shows and the reuniting of the decoy community. They speak on the difference between the silent bidder and the social one and how they both play important roles in the wealth of collectible decoys. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and con...
Oct 08, 2021•33 min
Waterfowl guides hunt every day, they’ve seen it all. John Pollmann, DU Magazine freelance contributor, joins Chris Jennings to talk about learning special tips and tactics from lifelong waterfowl guides. Pollmann goes into detail about specific tactics some guides use to decoy ducks and geese, as well as sharing some personal stories about hunting with guides. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Oct 06, 2021•31 min
