November 13, 2020

EP 67. Chris Nicolai, Where Waterfowl Hunting and Science Converge

1 hour 26 minutes

File this one under interesting things learned in a duck blind during Ramsey's 2020-2021 North American Tour. Following a fun diver hunt among friends in blustery North Dakota, where lively duck blind banter ensued between volleys, Ramsey Russell and Chris Nicolai warm their fingers around cups of hot coffee back at camp where they get down to the serious business of talking waterfowl management and implications. Nicolai is now Waterfowl Scientist at Delta Waterfowl. Formerly with US Fish and Wildlife Service, he's a renowned waterfowl biologist with 20 years experience conducting elite-level waterfowl research. Importantly, he's an ardent, lifelong waterfowl hunter. The conversation tears like a bluebill with a tailwind through a variety of interesting topics such as (Pacific) black brant, recreational hunters' conservation role, northern pintails - you'll probably want to pay especially close attention to this part boys and girls - and more! Who is Nicolai, how'd he get started hunting, how'd he become a serious waterfowl biologist? What's the purpose of banding waterfowl, and why are black brant of particular interest? How many North American waterfowl species has Nicolai handled/banded, and what are some of most interesting places he's conducted field research worldwide? Why is the pintail limit only 1 daily in the Lower-48, why hasn't this iconic species responded to decades of restrictive harvest regulations, and what are the scientific justifications for a newly proposed 3-pintail daily bag limit?! Today's Duck Season Somewhere episode is a heavy hitting conversation you'll not want to miss!