Ducks Unlimited Podcast

MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.com
Savage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

The best partnerships in the outdoor industry aren't built at trade shows—they're built in duck blinds, dove fields, and places where people have time to connect.

In this freestyle episode of the Ducks Unlimited Podcast, Wade Shoemaker sits down at Honey Brake Lodge with Parker Amos (Duck Commander/Buck Commander), Brett Maffet (Benelli USA), and Stephen Findley (Vertical Marketing) for an unscripted conversation about hunting, business, authenticity, and the people who shape the outdoor industry.

What starts as a recap of a partner retreat quickly turns into a conversation about career paths, outdoor media, faith, mentorship, and the relationships that often matter more than the brands themselves. The group shares stories from dove hunts, private flights, Honey Brake experiences, and even a few reflections on Phil Robertson, Si Robertson, and the impact Duck Commander has had on modern hunting culture. 

More than anything, this episode highlights why genuine relationships continue to drive an industry built around shared experiences outdoors.

Topics Covered

• Why Duck Commander brought partners together at Honey Brake
• Building authentic relationships in the outdoor industry
• Brett Maffet's path from cabinet hardware to Benelli USA
• Stephen Findley's work with brands across the outdoor space
• The lasting influence of Phil and Si Robertson
• Why authenticity matters in hunting and business
• Honey Brake's unique culture and guest experience
• How hunting connects people from different backgrounds

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: [email protected]

SPONSORS:

Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:
Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.com
Savage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

If you've ever heard something strange in the woods and wondered what it was, you're not alone.

Recorded live from DUX 2026, host Wade Shoemaker sits down with Cam Hale and Kyle Philson of the Expanded Perspectives Podcast to talk about hunting, outdoor traditions, unexplained encounters, and the stories that often come from time spent deep in the woods.

The conversation explores how Expanded Perspectives grew from a small podcast into one of the largest platforms dedicated to strange encounters and listener-submitted stories. Along the way, Cam and Kyle discuss the origins of the "Glimmer Man" phenomenon, mysterious experiences reported by hunters, Bigfoot sightings, and why so many outdoor stories begin in the darkness before daylight.

Just as importantly, the discussion focuses on curiosity, keeping an open mind, and understanding that not every outdoor experience has an easy explanation. Whether you're a skeptic, a believer, or somewhere in between, this episode is a fascinating look at the stories hunters share when the hunt is over.

Topics Covered

• The origins of Expanded Perspectives
• How listener stories shaped the show
• The “Glimmer Man” phenomenon
• Strange hunting camp encounters
• Bigfoot stories and eyewitness reports
• Outdoor folklore and unexplained experiences
• Why hunters tell the best stories
• Keeping an open mind about the unknown
• The role of storytelling in outdoor culture

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: [email protected]

SPONSORS:

Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:
Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.com
Savage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

Migration is in full swing across the prairies, and the reports coming from the heart of waterfowl country are encouraging.

Dr. Mike Brasher, DU's Senior Waterfowl Scientist, sits down with John Pollmann, DU Migration Alert Editor, to discuss the latest habitat conditions, migration activity, and hunting success across Prairie Canada and the northern United States.

Good water and strong bird numbers have hunters enjoying consistent success across much of Prairie Canada, while drier conditions on the U.S. prairies have led to more scattered birds and uneven hunting. Mike and John discuss the latest migration activity and what current conditions could mean for hunters farther down the flyway. 

Topics Covered

• Current habitat and hunting conditions across Prairie Canada
• How abundant rainfall improved wetland conditions and waterfowl habitat
• Reports of strong migrations of mallards, whitefronts, snow geese, and other species
• Why Canadian prairie hunters are experiencing consistent success this fall
• Hunting conditions and bird numbers across the U.S. prairies
• How weather patterns are influencing migration timing and bird movements
• What upcoming cold fronts, snow, and north winds could mean for migration
• Why current prairie conditions are good news for hunters farther down the flyway

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: [email protected]

SPONSORS:

Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:
Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

What would make someone leave camp, sell every piece of hunting and fishing gear he owned—and never go back?

Cam Hale and Kyle Philson of Expanded Perspectives join Ducks Unlimited’s Wade Shoemaker and Lake Pickle from onX for a DU Halloween special filled with unsettling stories from hunters, anglers and people who spend time beyond the pavement.

The group follows accounts of a hog apparently crushed against a tree, small figures carrying a rabbit through the Arkansas woods, a hunting bag that returned on its own, missing hunters, black panther sightings and six strange figures beside Bloody Creek. They also ask an important question: when does an unexplained encounter have an ordinary answer, and when does it change the way someone sees the woods forever?

Sponsored by onX.
 @onXHunt

These stories are presented as personal accounts, listener submissions and folklore for entertainment and discussion.

Watch the secret episode and continue into the Unlimited Scares playlist using the links below.

SECRET EPISODE:
UNLIMITED SCARES: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFYq1yV30ntJgv1mNsES2ASAxJ9jthYXg
EXPANDED PERSPECTIVES: www.expandedperspectives.com
@expandedperpectives
@dosamigosproductions

ONX:  @onXHunt 
Lake Pickle:@lake.dilpickle @lakepickle
Wade Shoemaker: @wadeshoemaker 

#Halloween #ScaryStories #ExpandedPerspectives

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: [email protected]

• (00:00) - Halloween Special Kickoff

MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.com
Savage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

Winning the Junior Duck Stamp Contest changed Madison Grimm’s life. Now she’s helping save hundreds of ducks...

Host Katie Burke is joined by wildlife artists Adam Grimm and Madison Grimm during the Federal Duck Stamp Contest to discuss art, conservation, and how a childhood passion for painting ducks led to one of the most unique waterfowl projects in the country.

The conversation begins with the Duck Stamp Contest and the challenges artists face when competing at the highest level. From there, Madison shares the remarkable story behind Second Chance Flight, a nonprofit that rescues duck eggs and ducklings displaced during farming operations across the Prairie Pothole Region. What started with a backyard aviary has grown into a conservation effort involving farmers, wildlife agencies, researchers, banding projects, and even GPS-equipped ducks helping answer important scientific questions.

This episode is equal parts art, conservation, and innovation—and a reminder that one person’s passion can create real impact for waterfowl.

Topics Covered

• The 2026 Federal Duck Stamp Contest
• How judges evaluate Duck Stamp artwork
• Madison Grimm’s Junior Duck Stamp success
• Building a backyard aviary in the Prairie Pothole Region
• The origins of Second Chance Flight
• Rescuing duck eggs, ducklings, pheasants, and turkeys
• Working with farmers across South Dakota
• GPS transmitters, banding, and waterfowl research
• The future of conservation through community involvement

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: [email protected]

SPONSORS:

Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:
Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.com
Savage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

Sometimes the things that feel like setbacks turn out to be the moments that change your life.

Host Wade Shoemaker sits down with Eric Seymore, founder of Rise, for an honest conversation about faith, family, turkey hunting, cancer, and the unexpected journey that led to one of the fastest-growing faith-based brands in the outdoor space.

Eric shares the story behind his cancer diagnosis, a Bible reading that shifted his perspective, and a failed turkey hunt that ultimately became the catalyst for launching Rise. What began as a handful of hats and shirts designed to share a personal story has evolved into a movement centered around faith, hunting, family, and authenticity.

The discussion explores the challenges of starting a business with no apparel experience, the importance of trusting the process, and how unexpected opportunities like NWTF and DUX helped accelerate the growth of the brand. Along the way, Eric reflects on parenting, purpose, entrepreneurship, and why keeping the main thing the main thing continues to guide every decision.

Topics Covered

• The story behind the Rise brand
• A cancer diagnosis and its impact on perspective
• Faith, purpose, and personal growth
• The turkey hunt that inspired a movement
• Building a company from the ground up
• Family, parenting, and raising kids with strong values
• NWTF, DUX, and the growth of Rise
• Entrepreneurship and trusting the process
• Supporting others through storytelling

https://www.riseturkeyhunting.com/

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: [email protected]

SPONSORS:

Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:
Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.com
Savage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

Rice fields do more than grow food. They provide critical habitat for millions of ducks, shorebirds, and other wildlife across North America.

In the first installment of a special agriculture-focused series, host Dr. Jerad Henson is joined by Misty Adams, Kyle Soileau, and Regina Stafford of Ducks Unlimited’s conservation delivery team to discuss the Rice Stewardship Program and the role working lands play in waterfowl conservation. 

The conversation explores how DU partners with rice producers across Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and California to deliver conservation practices that improve water efficiency, support wildlife habitat, enhance soil health, and help keep farmers profitable. The group also discusses incentive-based programs, water management technologies, conservation easements, and the future of rice production in a rapidly changing agricultural landscape.

Topics Covered

• The origins of the Rice Stewardship Program
• Why rice fields are critical waterfowl habitat
• Working lands conservation in California and the Mississippi Alluvial Valley
• Water management and irrigation efficiency
• Surface water vs. groundwater challenges
• Winter flooding and wildlife benefits
• Conservation incentives for rice producers
• The future of rice farming and waterfowl habitat
• How DU works with farmers to deliver conservation at scale

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: [email protected]

SPONSORS:

Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:
Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.com
Savage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

Sometimes the best outdoor products start with a simple question: “Why hasn’t anyone fixed this yet?”

Host Wade Shoemaker sits down with Gabe Fontenot, founder of Hunt Repellent, to talk about entrepreneurship, duck hunting traditions in Southwest Louisiana, and building one of the fastest-growing outdoor brands in the industry.

Growing up around the rice fields and marshes of Louisiana, Gabe developed a lifelong passion for waterfowl hunting. After finding success in corporate sales, he launched Hunt Repellent with a mission to create a DEET-free alternative designed specifically for outdoorsmen and women. The conversation covers the challenges of starting a company from scratch, navigating product development and EPA approval, growing a business at a rapid pace, and building a brand that resonates with hunters.

The discussion also explores family hunting traditions, teal hunting culture, entrepreneurship, customer service, and the lessons Gabe has learned while scaling a business and staying connected to the outdoors he loves.

Topics Covered

• Growing up duck hunting in Southwest Louisiana
• Teal season culture and rice field hunting
• Building Hunt Repellent from the ground up
• Developing a DEET-free insect repellent
• Entrepreneurship and business growth
• Balancing corporate experience with startup life
• Perry Outfitters and serving local hunters
• The future of Hunt Repellent
• Why authenticity matters in business and hunting

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: [email protected]

SPONSORS:

Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:
Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.com
Savage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

Some people spend a lifetime chasing ducks. Others spend a lifetime protecting what makes duck hunting possible.

Recorded live from DUX 2026, host Wade Shoemaker sits down with Fred Zink and Jim Ronquest, co-hosts of Ducks Unlimited TV, for a conversation about waterfowl hunting, conservation, friendship, and the evolution of the sport over the last several decades.

The discussion covers their experiences filming DUTV, the importance of habitat and conservation, changing migration patterns, memorable hunts, and the people who have helped shape modern waterfowl culture. Along the way, Fred and Jimbo reflect on decades of friendship, the role Ducks Unlimited plays in protecting the resource, and why time spent with family and friends matters more than a full strap of ducks.

The group also talks about new apparel collaborations, favorite hunting destinations, and what they’re most looking forward to in the upcoming season.

Topics Covered

• The evolution of Ducks Unlimited TV
• Friendship and lifelong hunting partnerships
• Conservation and habitat management
• Changes in duck migration and distribution
• Private refuges and waterfowl habitat
• Favorite hunting destinations across North America
• New DU and Drake collaborations
• Family, tradition, and hunting memories
• Advice for the next generation of hunters

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: [email protected]

SPONSORS:

Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:
Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.com
Savage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

For the guys behind 24.7 Hunt, duck hunting is about a lot more than ducks.

Recorded live from DUX 2026, host Wade Shoemaker sits down with Ricky Nicholas, Ranar Moody, Darryl Moore, Darius Shine, and Aubrey Mack of 24.7 Hunt to talk about the culture, friendships, and shared passions that built one of the most recognizable communities in modern waterfowling.

The conversation covers everything from public land hunting and dog training to entrepreneurship, brand building, social media, and the influence of Southern hunting traditions. Along the way, the group explains how their different backgrounds came together through a shared love of duck hunting and why community remains at the center of everything they do.

They also discuss their new collaboration with Apex Ammunition, the evolution of the 24.7 Hunt brand, and the importance of staying authentic while introducing new hunters to the sport.

Topics Covered

• The origins of 24.7 Hunt
• Building a community through waterfowl hunting
• Southern hunting culture and traditions
• Public land hunting and lifelong friendships
• The new Apex Ammunition collaboration
• Why authenticity matters in hunting media
• Dog training, fishing, and outdoor lifestyles
• Raising the next generation of hunters
• Conservation and stewardship

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: [email protected]

SPONSORS:

Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:
Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.