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Holiday season meets duck season, and we’re leaning into both. We invited our buddy Pete to swap honest hunt stories, share the gear that actually earns pack space, and weigh in on the unspoken rules that keep a crowded marsh from melting down. From car-camping at refuge lots to slow-burn grassland days and a rice pit that exposed bad habits, we connect the dots between smart motion, better setups, and the mindset that turns “average” conditions into steady birds.

We build a practical gift list for waterfowlers—personalized tumblers that don’t quit, modern blind bags that cut clutter, and motion that matters. If you’ve never seen the Mojo Mallard Machine boil a pond, consider this your sign. We also break down decoy spacing and family groups, the jerk string vs. splasher debate, and why a dependable wading shell beats trend gear when the sky opens up. On guns, we compare the feel of a 20-gauge semi that’s deadly in the tules to a 12-gauge workhorse that shines on wind days and goose flybys. Thinking ahead? We also talk mud motors, club buy-ins, and the comfort that comes with a place to cook breakfast and talk birds.

Then we go there: sky busting, crowding blinds after setup, late arrivals squeezing in, overloaded hides, and loud dog handling. We call it fair but firm—leave buffers, shoot ethical windows, train at home, and earn your spot without wrecking someone else’s morning. Finally, we thread the needle on holiday balance. A dawn hunt can become a family tradition if you’re dependable with time and generous with the wild game platter—tell them what it is after they’ve had a bite.

If you love straight talk, field-tested gear picks, and the kind of etiquette that keeps the marsh friendly, you’re in the right place. Follow For the Fowlers on Instagram, subscribe wherever you listen, and drop a review to help more waterfowlers find the show. What belongs on your naughty-or-nice list this season?

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A great duck dog isn’t born in the blind—it’s built with smart timing, simple habits, and a plan you can actually follow. We sit down with Richard Gebhart of Royal Gun Dogs to map the path from roly-poly puppy to safe, steady retriever. Richard shares the milestones that matter: crate comfort and socialization, a leash the pup can drag to learn pressure, and early bird exposure that creates desire before any formal pressure begins. Then he opens the playbook on his two-week puppy camp, where live-chukar excitement pairs with a careful gun-intro sequence so the dog learns that loud noise predicts the best reward in the world: birds.

From there we move into the foundation that keeps you safe and makes retrieves predictable. Richard explains why he delays the down command, how he conditions the e-collar so dogs learn to turn pressure off, and what a thorough land-and-water force fetch looks like. We talk through hunt scenarios you should practice—decoys, dog hides, stands, deep-water swims, and thick cover—and why steadiness starts at your side before it transfers to the blind. He even covers common pain points like breaking at the shot, whining in the morning, and chasing diving cripples, with practical fixes that don’t create new problems.

If you’re juggling family life and field time, Richard’s advice lands: 10–15 minutes a day beats marathon sessions, stake young dogs on a quick-release their first season, and train for momentum so perfection can follow. We close with pedigree pointers—choose breeding for performance over color—and a three-step checklist to be ready by next season: get birds, build a foundation with obedience and force fetch, and let the dog set the pace. Subscribe, share this with a hunting buddy, and leave a review to help more waterfowlers build reliable partners.

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On this episode, I sit down with Anthony “Houn” Calhoun, the voice behind Fowl Mouth TV, to unpack a season that’s short on easy limits but rich with lessons about motion, mindset, and the power of community.

We trace Houn’s start from turkey woods to flooded fields, the Grey Lodge storm that hooked him for good, and the crew dynamics that make a hard season bearable. You’ll hear how a dozen coot decoys and a last-minute YOLO resi turned into a seat in a blind, why blades can pull birds from the sky and still flare them at 30 yards, and how small tweaks—remote control timing, placement off the guns, and ditching a noisy wind unit—can change a hunt. We also compare refuges across the Sacramento Valley, from organized chaos at Grey Lodge to a love affair with Colusa, and dig into why Grizzly Island can be a heartbreaker if you don’t know its quirks.

Beyond tactics, we go deep on documenting hunts without killing the vibe. Houn shares a practical filming setup—external power, pre-record buffers, and fast workflows—that captures real moments while keeping the hunt first. And we talk about what makes Northern California special: generous public access, a tight community, and a responsibility to defend hunting through honest storytelling and support for California Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, and Delta Waterfowl.

If you’re chasing better motion-decoy decisions, curious about building a crew that pulls new hunters in, or just need a boost after a slow start, you’ll feel at home here. Subscribe, share this with a hunting buddy, and drop a review on Apple or Spotify—then tell us: when do you kill the spinner?

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Cold mornings, fog breaks, and the first real push of birds set the stage for a statewide check-in that connects Shasta and Modoc to Kern and the Salton Sea. We trade opening-week optimism for practical tactics: when to leave work early, how to read those fickle mid-morning flights, and why rice flood-ups are quietly reorganizing the whole game. You’ll hear why mallard-focused hunts demand a different plan, what GPS-banded birds reveal about short-hop movements, and how a simple shift in hide and spacing can turn a “dead” sit into a fast, clean shoot.

George calls in with dog training progress, force fetch tips, and a candid look at Pleasant Grove blinds ramping up as water arrives. We dig into 28-gauge pros and the reality of premium shell costs, plus a couple of December targets that should showcase motion decoys and smart spreads. Then Landon breaks down boat hunts on tidal water, early-season greenhead success, and the kind of discipline it takes to pass gray ducks when you’re living for mallards. He lays out a clear read on wigeon, gadwall, and why spinners help—right up until they don’t.

Finally, Colin brings the Southern California vantage point: Kern’s tight quotas, Worcester’s learning curve, off-refuge wins in the hills, and what the Salton Sea promises when weather and timing click. Expect teal surges, pintail stacking, and the kind of December that rewards patience and precision. If you’re saving days for when it turns on, you might be right. If you’re grinding now, take notes on wind, fog, and the exact minute birds commit—because those patterns repeat.

Join us, compare your logbook, and get ready for a December run that could go hot and heavy. If you enjoy the show, follow ForTheFowlers on Instagram, share this episode with a hunting buddy, and leave a quick rating or review wherever you listen. It helps more than you think.

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The mid-season gear creep is real. We cracked open our blind bags to find out why they feel like cinder blocks, then rebuilt them around what actually matters on real-world waterfowl hunts: safety you’ll use, tools that solve problems, and comfort without the bloat. From headlamps and a trustworthy handheld to a compact medical plan, we separate must-haves from “nice until you carry them a mile.” We also get honest about tourniquets, when to stash a proper med kit in the boat or blind, and how superstition still rules the bird strap.

On the shooting side, we talk shell discipline on public land, why mid-hunt choke changes rarely help, and the tiny bottle of gun oil that’s saved more than one muddy morning. We compare shell storage for refuge checks, defend the finisher-for-everything approach, and admit that one box is enough for most ethical shots. Then it’s into the quiet MVPs: zip ties, electrical tape, microfiber towels, a small trash bag, and the magnet pickup stick that spares your back. If you’re still swatting early-season mosquitoes, we explain why Thermacell is worth the space.

Comfort counts too, just not at the cost of weight. We trimmed snacks to what gets eaten, swapped extra drinks for an electrolyte packet, and now bury a forgotten 12-ounce water bottle at the bottom of the pack for emergencies. We make the case for gloves you’ve actually shot with, ear protection you’ll remember, and, when hunting with kids, trading a few decoys for a small heater that turns cold sits into good days. We also share our personal loadouts and listener favorites—from wipes and Advil to a pocket bird ID guide—and call out the gear we finally ditched.

If your bag weighs more than a honker, it’s time to rethink it. Hit play, steal our packing framework, then tell us your top three essentials and the one item you refuse to carry anymore. If you’re new here, follow and subscribe, leave a quick review, and share this with the buddy who still hauls three days of snacks for a two-hour hunt.

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The wind is up, the birds are moving, and your shotgun is about to get tested. We sit down with gunsmith Grayson Katka of Field and Range Solutions, located in the back of Kittle’s Outdoor in Colusa to unpack what actually keeps a duck gun safe, reliable, and deadly when the weather turns and the hunts get real. From quick, same-day fixes to full tear-downs, Grayson explains how he diagnoses “my gun won’t cycle” the right way—firing, extraction, ejection, and feeding—so you stop guessing and start solving.

We dig into brands and platforms with a candid eye: why some designs tolerate neglect better than others, where modern guns truly improved recoil and ergonomics, and which hidden parts (like steel recoil tubes) become rust traps if you ignore them. Then we get practical about shotshells and patterns. Chasing 1450 fps can shred patterns and beat up guns; a heavier payload at 1250–1300 fps often prints cleaner and anchors birds more ethically. We talk choke choices, patterning basics, and the difference between flashy marketing and meaningful geometry.

If you hunt in the rain, this is your checklist. Grayson lays out a minimalist field kit—tiny oil, multi-tool, cotton swabs, toothpicks, and a pocket can of compressed air—and the no-drama routines that keep guns alive during season. We cover what to do after a dunk, why you should never fire through doubt, and the simple upgrades that pay off in the blind: extended controls, easier loading mods, proven choke tubes, and Cerakote finishes that protect and personalize. Most important, we make the case for shotgun fitting. Adjusting cast, drop, and length moves the pattern to your eye, tightens hits, and reduces cripples—think rifle zero for shotgunners.

You’ll also hear unforgettable shop stories—from red Loctite disasters to bulged barrels—that double as cautionary tales for anyone who hunts hard. Ready to keep your shotgun running when the birds finally show? Listen now, enter our giveaway, and if you found value here, subscribe, share with your blind crew, and leave a review to help more waterfowlers find the show.

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Live from Slough House Social in Colusa CA, For The Fowlers is joined by the Filthy Spoon Podcast. We sit with John and Robert of Filthy Spoon to chart how a local-first Northern California podcast found its voice, its audience, and its staying power without trading honesty for hype. From rice club mishaps to refuge politics to why wind beats rain, the conversation blends fieldcraft, storytelling, and a healthy dose of humor.

We pull back the curtain on building a waterfowl podcast that lasts: why starting in spring created a back catalog by opener, how consistency beat fancy gear, and where authenticity outperformed big-name bookings. You’ll hear the surprising downloaded episode leaders, the moments that proved they were onto something, and the lines they won’t cross—no staged hunts, no pile-pic illusions, just straight talk about access, weather, spreads, and learning through misses.

Hunt talk runs deep too. John breaks down sea duck shoots over layout boats on San Francisco Bay—teamwork, safety, anchors, and the rush of birds skimming a foot off the water. Robert owns the towel-in-the-bag hack for storm days and explains why wigeon in weather is hard to beat. Teal get the love they deserve—fast, delicious, and chaotic fun—while the dream list spans Arkansas timber, Saskatchewan potholes, and eiders and harlequins on cold northern water. Along the way, we revisit the culture that keeps this community strong: helping local kids, posting honest hunts, and giving small businesses and conservation projects a lift.

If you’ve ever wondered how to start a hunting podcast, how to keep momentum when the birds don’t fly, you’ll find practical answers and a lot of laughs here. Subscribe, share with your blind crew, and drop a comment with your dream hunt or your go-to blind bag item—we’ll read the best ones on a future show.

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The season’s on, the weather’s weird, and the refuges are a mixed bag. We kick off with real-world reports across the Sacramento Valley and Grasslands—warm temps, thin water, slow averages—then map out why the next storm could be the turning point for flights and success in public land hides. From there, we get to the heart of it: the unspoken code that keeps refuge hunts safe, fair, and actually fun.

We unpack the social media cycle—reservation flexing, vague screenshots, and the endless “Where should I go?” posts—and offer a better way to use online intel without burning spots. You’ll hear how we read season-long blind averages, pair them with flood maps and wind, and build a plan that doesn’t rely on chasing yesterday’s pile pic. At the check station, prep wins the morning: bring your licenses and plate numbers, know your first and second choices, and check out quickly so refills can hunt. In the marsh, spacing equals safety. Headlamp wars help no one; communicate, give room, and remember that 50 yards in the dark isn’t much when shot starts flying.

We also dig into the craft: working birds at ethical range, choosing chokes for 30–40 yards, and calling with intention instead of blasting a mallard hail at every shadow. Clean kills beat sky busts, and a clean blind beats a trashed one every time. Pack out your hulls, carry your own gear—or push the cart if you load it—and don’t bring a new crew back to a spot someone shared without asking. Public land works when we protect trust, read birds, and leave the place better than we found it.

If you’re navigating California refuges this season, you’ll leave with practical etiquette, smarter scouting tactics, and a safer, calmer way to hunt pressured birds. Enjoyed this one? Follow For The Fowlers on Instagram, subscribe on Spotify or Apple, drop a quick review, and share the episode with a buddy who needs to retire the kazoo. What’s your top refuge pet peeve? We want to hear it.

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We’re at California Waterfowl’s Sanborn Slough in the Butte Sink—surrounded by private clubs but sitting in a blind you can actually draw or win at a banquet. Boats are ready, blinds are brushed, decoys are out. That’s by design, because when the logistics are handled, you can focus on birds, dogs, and the kind of stories that keep you in the marsh.

We meet George who shares the joy of taking his father-in-law on a first duck hunt and getting a young dog on its first retrieve, reminding us that memory-rich days matter more than numbers on a strap.

We sit down with Hunter from CWA to unpack how dinners, raffles, and partnerships fund habitat work that stays in California, from youth programs to biologists pushing for water at Klamath. You’ll hear why Sanborn is a rare private-style hunt open to everyday waterfowlers and how hunt camps, gear libraries, and guided opportunities remove friction for first-timers. 

Lucas, an active-duty airman, walks us through CWA’s Veteran Hunt Program and Beale AFB’s on-base hunting—fully decoyed blinds, wood duck boxes, and mentorship for new and seasoned shooters alike. 

We also meet Logan and learn from a hard safety lesson at YOLO and laugh about a near-disaster at the lodge back in the day—both proof that respect for people and places is non-negotiable. 

We close with our morning on the water: honest early-season action, a few green birds, and a dog named Rooster making clean retrieves through thick tules.

If you care about ducks, habitat, and keeping opportunities alive for kids, vets, and new hunters, this one’s for you. Join California Waterfowl, show up at a local banquet, and bring someone new to the blind. If you enjoyed the show, follow, share it with a hunting buddy, and leave a quick review—it helps more folks find their way to the marsh.

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The season’s opener finds us at duck camp in Calusa with blinds to brush, dogs at our feet, and a full tank of optimism. We didn’t hunt opening day—and that’s exactly why this conversation matters. We unpack the real work behind a good season: how you earn access, build relationships, and prepare a blind that performs on the slow days, not just the hero days.

Chuck joins to share a decade of lessons moving from Los Banos refuges to the Sacramento Valley’s rice. We break down how guided hunts can kickstart your journey, how farmer timelines drive when Opening Day truly is, and how to think about leasing a blind without confusing access for guaranteed straps. If you’re eyeing rice country, you’ll hear what “under the flight line” really means, how concealment beats decoy counts most days, and why the best blinds rarely open up when you want them.

We also spotlight "Pepper", Chuck's 5 year old lab with a big motor, and the training that keeps her safe and steady. From force fetch as a true conservation tool to an extended place away from the pit, you’ll get practical, field-tested dog tips you can use immediately. 

We round out with guns and shells—when a nimble 20-gauge shines in pits, why bismuth makes better table fare, and how to choose loads that match realistic shot windows.

Whether you’re a new hunter plotting your first guided trip or a veteran considering a lease, this is a clear, candid look at what actually moves the needle in Sac Valley waterfowl. 

Subscribe, share with your blind crew, and drop a review with your favorite early-season ritual—what’s one prep step you swear by?