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.

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What happens when a Louisiana duck hunter builds one of the fastest-growing HVAC companies in the region and turns a small convenience store into a destination for hunters?

Host Wade Shoemaker sits down with Seth Chapman, owner of Chapman’s Air Conditioning and Perry Outfitters, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, waterfowl hunting, social media, and the values that guide both his businesses and his life.

Seth shares stories from growing up in coastal Louisiana, hunting the marshes around Pecan Island, and learning the outdoors from his father and generations before him. The conversation explores everything from building a company from a single service truck to managing dozens of employees, opening Perry Outfitters, and creating a community centered around hunting and the outdoors.

Along the way, Seth reflects on how duck hunting has changed over the years, memorable hunts with family and friends, social media's role in modern outdoor culture, and why authenticity still matters in an increasingly online world.

Topics Covered

• Growing up hunting in coastal Louisiana
• Life around Pecan Island and Vermilion Parish
• Building Chapman’s Air Conditioning from scratch
• The creation and growth of Perry Outfitters
• Changes in Louisiana duck hunting over the years
• Memorable hunts and waterfowl traditions
• Social media and outdoor culture
• Why authenticity matters in hunting and business
• Balancing family, work, and the outdoors

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
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The 2026 duck numbers are out, and there are a few surprises.

In this special update, Dr. Mike Brasher gives a quick breakdown of the newly released Waterfowl Population Status Report and highlights the most important takeaways for duck hunters. Be sure to click here and check out our website for more information.

In this episode:

• Total duck numbers remained relatively stable. 
• Mallards declined to their lowest estimate in decades. 
• Prairie pond numbers improved from last year. 
• Most other duck species were relatively unchanged. 
• Early signs point to improved duck production this year. 

For the full breakdown and expert analysis, tune in to the Waterfowl Season Outlook livestream on Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026 @ 6pm CDT.

Ducks Unlimited salutes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Canadian Wildlife Service, and the member agencies of the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific flyway councils for their ongoing leadership in conducting the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
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For rising country artist Maddox Batson, the outdoors isn't just a hobby. It's where he goes to slow down, recharge, and reconnect with what matters most.

Recorded live from DUX 2026, hosts Jimbo Robinson & Matt Harrison sit down with Maddox Batson for a conversation about family, music, hunting, and navigating success at a young age. 

Maddox shares how his grandfather first introduced him to the outdoors, why duck hunting quickly became an obsession, and how hunting remains an important escape from the demands of a rapidly growing music career. The discussion also covers songwriting, social media, Nashville, mentorship, and the values that continue to keep him grounded as his platform continues to grow.

Along the way, Maddox talks about the influence of his parents, his appreciation for mentors like Lainey Wilson and Devlin "Duck" Hodges, and why being kind to others is one of the most important lessons he hopes to pass on to the next generation.

Topics Covered

• Growing up hunting with his grandfather
• How duck hunting became a passion
• Moving to Nashville and pursuing music
• The role social media played in his career
• Songwriting and creative inspiration
• Mentors in the music and outdoor industries
• Why hunting helps him disconnect and recharge
• Advice for young people navigating life and success

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
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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.

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
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What makes a wooden decoy worth more than a million dollars?

Recorded live at DUX 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee, host Katie Burke sits down with Jon Deeter of Guyette & Deeter, one of the most respected names in the world of sporting collectibles, decoys, and duck calls.

The conversation explores the historic sale of the Jim and Diane Cook Collection, which produced the first two decoys in history to sell for more than $1 million at auction. Jon shares behind-the-scenes stories from the landmark sales, discusses the passion that drives serious collectors, and explains why collecting is about much more than prices and records.

The discussion also covers the thrill of discovery, including a newly found Victor Glodo duck call that surfaced just days before DUX, proving that important pieces of waterfowling history are still waiting to be found. Along the way, Katie and Jon discuss collector culture, first decoys, waterfowl heritage, and why the friendships built through collecting matter just as much as the artifacts themselves. 

Topics Covered

• The record-breaking Jim and Diane Cook Collection auctions
• The first decoys to surpass $1 million at auction
• Why collectors remember their first decoy forever
• The history and significance of Victor Glodo duck calls
• Waterfowl heritage and sporting collectibles
• Decoy collecting culture and community
• Hidden collections still waiting to be discovered
• Why collecting is about more than money

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
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Birds don’t recognize borders. Conservation shouldn't either.

Host Dr. Mike Brasher sits down with longtime Ducks Unlimited volunteer leaders Rogers Hoyt and Bill Ansell, along with DU Interim Chief Conservation Officer Craig LeSchack, to discuss the critical role of Ducks Unlimited de México (DUMAC) in North American waterfowl conservation. 

From wintering habitat for millions of ducks to community-based conservation projects that improve wetlands and local livelihoods, DUMAC plays a vital role in sustaining waterfowl populations across the continent. The conversation explores the history of the organization, the influence of legendary conservationists like John e. (Johnny) Walker III, and how conservation efforts in Mexico directly support the ducks that hunters enjoy throughout the United States and Canada. 

The group also discusses the John E. Walker III Research and Training Center in Celestún, the internationally recognized RESERVA training program, mangrove restoration, wetland science, and the importance of supporting conservation on a continental scale. 

Topics Covered

• The history and mission of Ducks Unlimited de México (DUMAC)
• Why birds and conservation ignore political borders
• Mexico’s importance to wintering waterfowl populations
• The legacy of John E. Walker III and DUMAC leadership
• Community-based conservation projects across Mexico
• Mangrove restoration and wetland management
• The RESERVA conservation training program
• How DUMAC benefits both wildlife and local communities
• Why you should join the John E. Walker III Society

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
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Host Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher discuss waterfowl identification and its importance for not only waterfowl hunters, but also birders. Mike talks about identifying characteristics of certain species and shares a handful of helpful tips to improve your waterfowl identification.

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
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What if saving one species could help protect entire ecosystems and ways of life?

Recorded at Ducks Unlimited's 89th National Convention, host Jimbo Robinson sits down with renowned National Geographic photographer Carlton Ward Jr. for a conversation about storytelling, wildlife conservation, and the connections between people, landscapes, and the species that depend on them.

Carlton shares how a career that began documenting wildlife in Africa eventually led him back home to Florida, where he became one of the leading voices behind the Florida Wildlife Corridor movement. The discussion explores the role of photography in conservation, the importance of connected habitat, and how species like the Florida panther help tell a larger story about preserving working lands, watersheds, and wildlife for future generations.

Along the way, Carlton explains how storytelling helped inspire real conservation policy, why private land conservation matters, and how hunters, landowners, and conservationists can work together to protect landscapes at scale.

Topics Covered

• Carlton Ward Jr.'s path into conservation photography
• The Florida Wildlife Corridor project
• Wildlife corridors and habitat connectivity
• How photography can influence conservation policy
• The story behind Path of the Panther
• Florida panthers, bears, and landscape conservation
• Private land conservation and conservation easements
• Lessons for hunters and conservationists nationwide

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
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Learn how the survey behind duck population estimates and hunting regulations is being evaluated for the future.

Host Dr. Mike Brasher is joined by Dr. John Yeiser of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Frank Baldwin of the Canadian Wildlife Service to discuss an ongoing review of the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey—one of the most important wildlife monitoring programs in North America.

For more than 70 years, the survey has provided the foundation for waterfowl population estimates, conservation planning, and harvest management decisions. Now, agencies and partners are evaluating how new analytical tools, technologies, and datasets can improve efficiency while maintaining the long-term integrity of one of wildlife management’s most important data series.

Topics Covered:

• Why the breeding population survey is being reviewed
• How duck population estimates influence hunting regulations
• The role of banding, harvest surveys, and breeding surveys
• Potential future uses of remote sensing and new technologies
• Challenges associated with survey timing and changing conditions
• Why long-term datasets remain critical to waterfowl management
• How the U.S. and Canada work together to monitor duck populations

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

SPONSORS:

Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:
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