On this episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast, host John Gordon interviews English Cocker Spaniel specialist Jordan Horak. He shares insights into the these dynamic little dogs capabilities, highlighting their skills both as upland bird flushers and waterfowl retrievers. Learn more about the unique traits and hunting abilities of English Cockers, and flushing dogs in general for those more familiar with the retriever breeds.

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Well, here it is— a look back on what has been referred to as “one of the worst hunting seasons in memory.” Co-hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher are joined by Jim Ronquest, Vice President of Development for Drake Waterfowl, to discuss the season from start to finish, north to south, and east to west. Numerous factors conspired to make the 2023-24 season a challenging one for even the most seasoned hunters, including low breeding populations, El Nino, widespread drought, limited snowfall, record low ice cover, and temperature swings from record warmth to record cold. As one season ends another begins, and the group looks ahead to dry conditions on the prairies and what is needed to turn things around.

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In this episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast, host Katie Burke visits Grayson Chesser's decoy shop in Virginia. Grayson, a decoy carver and hunting guide, shares his background in hunting and the deep connection his family has with the land. Greyson also describes how the history of the region has influenced his carving and how the relationship with fellow decoy carvers has enriched his life and career.

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A hard freeze followed by rapid warm up and widespread rain made for an interesting and somewhat productive end to the 2023-24 hunting season. Chris Jennings, Katie Burke, and Dr. Mike Brasher look back on the closing weeks of the season and discuss other recent happenings around the waterfowl world. Mike reports on a jam-packed but rejuvenating week with science colleagues at the North American Duck Symposium, status of duckDNA, and future podcast episodes. Chris shares stories from his final weeks, including SHOT show and an unwelcome encounter with snakes in a pit blind in late January, while Katie reports on successful hunts in Mississippi and upcoming podcast recordings and new happenings with the Waterfowling Heritage Center.

 
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In this episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast, host John Gordon sits down with Ray Voigt, former professional retriever trainer and current Purina senior specialist, and Karl Gunzer, Purina Sporting Dog Group Director, discussing all things dogs. They talk about their love for sporting breeds, canine nutrition, training tips, and the Bird Dog Hall of Fame. If you're a dog lover, this episode is a must-listen as they dive into the history and importance of sporting dogs.

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Dr. Mike Brasher recently joined the crew from Campus Waterfowl for an opportunity to reconnect with his roots, as he shared a soggy morning in the cypress swamp with current and former students of his alma mater, Mississippi State University. This episode, which originally aired on Campus Waterfowl, recaps an exciting ring-neck hunt and shines a spotlight on the passion this group has for waterfowl and wetland conservation through their work on the Mississippi State chapter of Ducks Unlimited. Joining on the podcast were Derek Christians of Campus Waterfowl and Drew Brown and Hunter Yelverton from Mississippi State. The group also discussed duckDNA, the exciting project that is connecting duck hunters with scientists to inform some of today’s most ground-breaking research.

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In this episode, host Chris Jennings talks with Jay Anglin about the rapid movement of geese in the Mid-South and Northwest regions. They highlight the unpredictability of the birds' movements and how scouting can sometimes be ineffective due to their fast pace. Jennings and Anglin also mention the presence of juveniles in this year's migration, which is a departure from previous years. Overall, they provide insights into the current state of migration and the excitement it brings for hunters.

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In this episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast, host Katie Burke interviews guest Rick Milligan, a call and decoy collector. Rick shares his passion for collecting and discusses those who served as mentors to him in the field. They also talk about an upcoming exhibition in the museum and delve into Rick's introduction to the outdoors and hunting. Tune in to hear Rick's journey as an outdoorsman and call collector.

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Buckle Up for fun and laughter as Sydnie Wells of Barstool Outdoors joins Dr. Mike Brasher on this special episode with first-time duck hunters Wonton Don and Feitelberg of Barstool Sports, along with DU’s own Matt Harrison and Mallori Murphey. Topics include anxious energy amid the morning darkness, mallards backpedaling over decoys, shooting clays among friends, bird migration and the importance of conservation, neckties in the timber, and our love of sharing outdoor experiences with others.

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In this special edition re-air of the brant species profile, Dr. Mark Lindberg shares insights from his 30+ year career as a waterfowl scientist on arguably the most fascinating of all North American geese. The episode begins with a discussion about taxonomy, distribution, epic migrations, changes in wintering distributions, foraging ecology, and different behaviors and productivity observed among individual birds. The episode concludes with discussions about brant breeding ecology, its population status, harvest estimates, and changes in survival and productivity driven by complex interactions between climate and biology. Looking forward, Dr. Lindberg ponders what the future might hold for this species as the regions and habitats it relies on continue to be modified by changing climate, human activities, and other pressures.

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