Duck hunters are obsessive weather watchers, as it influences everything from large-scale migration to local movements and habitat use. In this episode, Dr. Mike Brasher welcomes Skot Covert, chief meteorologist at CBS 5News Fort Smith-Fayetteville, AR, and Chance Gotsch, meteorologist at ABC17 Columbia, MO, to discuss early season forecasts for the upcoming fall and winter. Recorded on September 16, 2024, Skot and Chance provide an education on La Nina, El Nino, and how they influence the weath...
Oct 03, 2024•46 min
As temperatures drop, it's important to ensure your retriever stays safe and healthy. Mike Stewart, owner of Wildrose Kennels, joins host Chris Jennings to discuss essential cold-weather retriever care. From icy conditions and snow to bitter winds, Stewart highlights key warning signs to watch for when hunting in winter. He also delves into important topics such as cold-tail, essential items for retriever blind bags, hypothermia prevention, and proper feeding routines. Have recommendations or qu...
Oct 01, 2024•26 min
On this episode of the Ducks Limited podcast, host Matt Harrison welcomes co-host Dr. Mike Brasher and special guest Edward Wall, a professional photographer and owner of Wall Media. Ed shares his journey from a hobbyist taking pictures of his dog and duck hunting to building a successful photography business over the past 10-12 years. He reflects on the learning curve he experienced, mentioning the many bad photos he took early on and the occasional good ones that inspired him to keep going. Th...
Sep 26, 2024•51 min
In this episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast, host Matt Harrison welcomes 2008 ATA trap shooting world champion Foster Bartholow. The conversation delves into Foster's journey into the world of shooting, beginning with his childhood experiences in the outdoors and hunting alongside his family. Foster shares how a youth shooting program at his high school sparked his passion for trap shooting, leading to his rapid success in the sport. Listeners will gain insights into Foster's dedication to sh...
Sep 24, 2024•48 min
It’s early September, and duck hunting is back! But it’s also the time of year when identifying ducks can be most challenging, as most have yet to attain their signature breeding plumage. On this made-for-video episode, Chris Jennings is joined by Dr. Mike Brasher, Dr. Jerad Henson, and Katie Burke as they discuss the popular pastime of sexing and aging ducks based on wing and tail characteristics. Tune in to learn more about this educational skill and how you can apply it on your next hunt, eve...
Sep 19, 2024•37 min
Chris Jennings, Mallori Murphey, and Dr. Scott Stephens join Dr. Mike Brasher to discuss the current status of teal migration, habitat conditions, and how you can stay informed during the hunting season. Through DU’s Migration Alerts, hunters will be “in the know” about bird numbers, weather systems, hunting success, and habitat conditions. Waterfowl 360 is here with a plethora of hunting resources, including decoy tactics, recipes, waterfowl ID, hunting stories, and more. Lastly, Dr. Scott Step...
Sep 17, 2024•47 min
On this episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast, host Matt Harrison is joined by co-host Dr. Mike Brasher and special guest Seth Dortch. Seth shares his background and deep connection to Ducks Unlimited, highlighting the importance of wildlife conservation. With a career focused on marketing and branding in the outdoor industry, Seth reflects on his journey and the continuous learning process. Tune in for a discussion on media, branding, and the shared passion for habitat conservation. www.ducks....
Sep 12, 2024•53 min
On this episode of the DU podcast, hosts Jimbo Robinson and Tim Fehringer welcome university chapter volunteers for the summer leadership summit, Third Term. With over 300 students attending from 80 different colleges, the summit promises to be an exciting and engaging event. Tune in to hear a special episode featuring these students discussing their experiences and involvement in the program. Check out Third Term here!...
Sep 10, 2024•36 min
Host Dr. Jerad Henson is joined by co-hosts Katie Burke, Derek Christians, Dr. Mike Brasher, and Matt Harrison in the new studio. They welcome guest Rob Southwick from Southwick Associates to discuss what motivates people to hunt, sharing new research on hunter personas for R3 and other insights from his 35 years of experience in understanding and analyzing hunting participation and trends data. Rob highlights the importance of engaging people in hunting and fishing for conservation efforts and ...
Sep 05, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Chuck Black, the 2023 Federal Duck Stamp Competition winner and wildlife artist, joins the Ducks Unlimited podcast to discuss his busy year and upcoming events. Chuck talks about the competition, his duties, and the transition to selling prints after the first day of sales. Tune in to hear about Chuck's experiences as the Federal Duck Stamp winner and his upcoming plans in the world of wildlife art. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Sep 03, 2024•1 hr 11 min
With duckDNA season 1 now in the books, DU teams up with Ramsey Russell of It’s Duck Season Somewhere and Dr. Phil Lavretsky to review early scientific insights, odd ducks, and the overall excitement around the project. Co-hosts Dr. Mike Brasher and Dr. Jerad Henson visit with Ramsey and Phil compare notes on their experiences and take a deep dive into some of the results, including an examination of several unique hybrids. Also discussed are the status of season 2, important changes coming your...
Aug 29, 2024•1 hr 9 min
In this second part of host Katie Burke's interview with carver Guy Taplin, we explore his fascination with past American decoy carvers and his understanding of the landscape and place where they worked. He delves into his experiences in America and the influence of key figures like Henry Fleckenstein and John Sullivan. He reflects on how his current friendships and mentorships have shaped his view of decoys and his artwork and how his experiences of visiting places like the Eastern Shore of Vir...
Aug 27, 2024•45 min
Today on the Ducks Unlimited podcast, Katie Burke is joined by special guest Guy Taplin from Essex, England, to discuss waterfowl carving and the unique landscape of Essex. Taplin describes his early life growing up in the countryside during and after World War II and how he first became enamored with waterfowl and waterfowl hunting. Tune in to learn more about the early years of Guy Taplin's life and how it led to his becoming a full-time carver. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Aug 22, 2024•31 min
On this special episode, Dr. Mike Brasher and Dr. Scott Stephens break down the freshly released U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2024 Waterfowl Population Status report and important changes coming to hunters. Listen in to find out which species increased, where the major surprises were, and how rainfall in April and May affected prairie pond conditions and duck settling patterns. Also discussed are implications of these data for the 2025-26 hunting season, including potential continuation of lib...
Aug 21, 2024•38 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. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Aug 20, 2024•34 min
As waterfowlers peer ahead to the approaching hunting season, botulism has become a headline in the West and state agencies have released results from their 2024 waterfowl breeding population surveys. Today’s conversation begins with Jeff McCreary, DU’s director of operations for the Western Region, giving the latest update on avian botulism in the Klamath Basin and the solutions that DU and partners are trying to deliver. We then go across the country with Nathan Ratchford, Dr. Dan Smith, Dr. J...
Aug 15, 2024•1 hr 25 min
So, you want to hunt that field where there’s a big feed? Time to start knocking on doors. Host Chris Jennings is joined by John Pollmann, freelance contributor to Ducks Unlimited magazine and ducks.org, to talk about the best, and worst ways to ask for permission. The pair also discuss some different tactics to improve success rates on getting permission, and also keeping it for the long term. For waterfowlers looking to gain access to private ground, this podcast is a must-listen before the se...
Aug 13, 2024•24 min
Dr. Mike Brasher is joined by Dr. Jerad Henson and DU conservation communications coordinator, Nathan Ratchford, to provide the latest update on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention new rules for bringing dogs into the U.S. Also discussed is the status of USDA APHIS guidelines for importing harvested game birds from Canada. Spoiler Alert--they remain unchanged from 2023. If you are a waterfowl hunter or dog owner heading north to harvest some feathered ‘fowl, you need this episode!...
Aug 08, 2024•36 min
Host Chris Jennings is joined by John Pollmann, freelance contributor to Ducks Unlimited magazine and ducks.org , to talk about the excitement of opening day of waterfowl season and ways to avoid making simple mistakes. As opening day continues to creep closer, there are several tactics many duck and goose hunters don’t take into account, leaving them open to potential failure. Follow along as these two discuss best practices to make your opening day a success. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Aug 06, 2024•31 min
After overwhelming response, duckDNA has officially returned for year 2! On this episode, Dr. Mike Brasher and Dr. Jerad Henson share this exciting news and what you need to know about the upcoming season. Also discussed are the forthcoming release of the breeding population survey, what it might mean for harvest regulations, the latest on Avian Influenza, and new programs that are improving DU’s ability to conserve waterfowl habitats through sustainability and ecosystem service benefits.
Aug 01, 2024•38 min
Host Chris Jennings is joined by Mike Stewart, owner of Wildrose Kennels to discuss retriever training during the peak of summer heat. The conversation leads to a discussion on summer training for dogs, touching on different locations and the importance of adjusting training routines based on weather conditioning. Stewart brings to light several training, nutrition, and health tips to keep your retriever in shape and safe from heat stroke. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Jul 30, 2024•29 min
PART 2: On this episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast, host Katie Burke sits down with Joe and Donna Tonelli, avid hunters, collectors, and historians. Joe shares his early introduction to hunting through family traditions, while Donna's expertise in writing about decoys and ducks adds depth to their shared passion. Tune in to hear about their journey into the outdoors, from childhood memories to their love for hunting and collecting decoys. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Jul 25, 2024•53 min
PART 1: On this episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast, host Katie Burke sits down with Joe and Donna Tonelli, avid hunters, collectors, and historians. Joe shares his early introduction to hunting through family traditions, while Donna's expertise in writing about decoys and ducks adds depth to their shared passion. Tune in to hear about their journey into the outdoors, from childhood memories to their love for hunting and collecting decoys. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Jul 23, 2024•49 min
Host Chris Jennings is joined by Beau Brooks, digital marketing specialist for Higdon Outdoors, to talk about the highly popular whistle. Brooks specializes in calling ducks with a whistle. He explains his best practices calling teal, wood ducks, wigeon, pintails, and mallards. Listeners are sure to pick up a handful of helpful tips as Brooks details how, when, and why he uses these species-specific calls. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Jul 18, 2024•40 min
After 4 years of extended drought, spring and summer rains finally provide relief to the US and Canadian prairies, but what does it mean for the fall flight? Dr. Scott Stephens joins co-hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher for a mid-July update on breeding habitat conditions across the prairies and boreal forest. Because much of the rain came after ducks had settled and managers expect a relatively small breeding population count, waterfowlers probably shouldn’t expect a banner crop this fa...
Jul 16, 2024•37 min
Much has been said about increasing prevalence of game-farm genes in mallard populations, but evidence has been scarce on whether these genes produce differences in behavior and demography…until now. Pivotal research by Dr. Ben Luukkonen reveals that game-farm hybrids differ from wild mallards in their movements, migration, habitat use, and nest incubation. The conclusion? Game-farm hybrids are different, and not in a good way. In this episode, Dr. Luukkonen and Dr. John Coluccy share details of...
Jul 11, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Great Lakes mallards are an important source of local harvest for hunters in the region, but their population has declined by nearly 60% since 1997. Recently completed research sponsored by Ducks Unlimited and a host of other partners provides insights into the potential causes. In the first of this 2-part discussion, Dr. Ben Luukkonen, imminent PhD graduate from Michigan State University, and Dr. John Coluccy, DU’s director of conservation planning and science for the Great Lakes and Atlantic R...
Jul 09, 2024•38 min
Happy Independence Day, everyone! You inspire us to innovate and improve. We cannot wait to share these exciting new chapters with you and continue our journey together in preserving our wetlands and waterfowl for generations to come. Please don't ever hesitate to reach out with questions, comments, or suggestions for content. Thank you for listening and being part of the Ducks Unlimited podcast community. Enjoy your 4th of July weekend and be safe. Cheers. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast...
Jul 04, 2024•4 min
Every 2 years, there is a transition at the top of DU’s volunteer leadership, as the membership approves a new President and the outgoing president takes the helm as Chairman of the Board. On this episode, DU’s new President, Bob Spoerl, joins Chairman of the Board, Chuck Smith, and podcast host Dr. Mike Brasher to discuss the ins and outs of this biennial action. We get to know our new president, hear his plans for the coming years, and learn about his passion for wetlands and waterfowl conserv...
Jul 02, 2024•44 min
On this episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast, Dr. Jerad Henson hosts Dr. Mike Brasher, senior waterfowl scientist, and Dr. Ellen Herbert, senior scientist for Sustainability and Nature-Based Solutions. They dive into the value of wetlands, discussing the importance of wetlands for waterfowl and sustainability. They highlight the significance of wetlands in the priority landscapes of the prairie pothole region and Mississippi River valley. Tune in to explore the vital role wetland ecosystems pl...
Jun 27, 2024•1 hr 4 min
