Today we cover “Use what you shoot 101”, the hurricane season meltdown, an October duck weather forecast, busy, busy episode; nearly on the eve of the 1st of October Orion greets us and the dawn, winter is on its way. We tackle it all head-on in an age when waterfowl should be respected, revered, and honored more than ever. Join us, for thoughts on duck country USA, and respect for all the ole hen mallards out there…all today on the FowlWeather Podcast.

Released on the first day of Fall, hints of Fall weather in the air and, in this episode, DrMike breaks down the migration, harvest numbers across the country, keeping faith in duck hunting, and a high-pressure system dubbed The Death Ridge. Hurricane season remains quiet, teal seasons are here, but numbers are down for many, how are folks fairing across the country for teal. All today on the FowlWeather Podcast.

It is Duck Season Somewhere. We are joined by Ramsey Russell. Quickly becoming a story telling legend. We dive deep with Ramsey about his beginnings, his take on the status of duck hunting in North America, and what’s his next adventure. We cover the culture of duck hunting, 3 pintail limit, are ducks doomed?, has the migration changed?, and what happens if we go to a 30-day season?. Join us for a fun, fact-filled episode of the FowlWeather Podcast.

Jacks Reef isn’t even an incorporated township, sitting along an old section of the Seneca River, now cut off by an addition to the Erie Canal and sitting in swamp country, USA, Jacks Reef is a long-gone entity from times past when mule drawn barges and brothels were the theme of the day. Nowadays, DrMike calls Jacks Reef home, in this episode DrMike takes on the critics, those calling him out for being a NY kid. In this fun, packed, story telling episode, we also further dissect the BPOP survey and AHM reports along with a tropical update, all today on the FowlWeather Podcast.

The Waterfowl Status Report is out; later than normal but still in time for the flyway meetings. Did the FowlWeather Podcast predict it correctly?, was the Mallard BPOP estimate down 10%? and May Pond by another 15% this year? In this BONUS episode DrMike breaks down the BPOP. Are we in a restrictive season in the MS flyway for 2026? Did the eastern Mallard population stay high enough for a 4 mallard bag per day for 2026 in the Atlantic Flyway? Find out today in this important BONUS, BREAKING NEWS episode of the FowlWeather Podcast.  

Harvest doesn’t matter, but it does. DrMike explains why harvest doesn’t matter, but also how it can and does for some species. 10 things you can do to save the ducks. We respond to your hate mail. We reflect on the past 2 years of the FowlWeather Podcast. We compare and contrast the North American and Europeans models of waterfowl conservation and hunting, plus a big announcement from the Beckman Game Calls – FowlWeather Podcast collaboration. Hint – it involves duck calls – all today, on the FowlWeather Podcast.

Read em’ and Weep – Facts Matter. The FowlWeather Podcast: The forecast to your next successful hunt! 

What does the duck season for Fall and Winter 2025-2026 have in store for us? Will the ducks arrive on schedule like the good ole’ days or will it be another year of swatting mosquitoes and empty skies. It is pretty early but there are some tell tale signs showing up in the atmosphere, so DrMike sticks his neck out again to let us know what weather factors we should consider for our 25/26 duck season.

Chris Beckman is a dedicated call maker from Louisiana. His claim-to-fame is his unique designs in his flagship call, The Edison, and making the first adjustable cut-down duck call, The Groundbreaker. We meet w/ Chris to talk about the evolution of the cut down and how his advancements in duck call design make his calls, really, really, really sound like a duck.

We welcome Ethan Dittmer to The FowlWeather Podcast Young Waterfowl Professional Series. Ethan Dittmer is a PhD student at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln working with Dr. Mark Vrtiska, Dr. Jay VonBank, and Tom Bidrowski on the Southeast Kansas Mallard GPS Project. This research focuses on the wintering ecology of mallards in the region, specifically their use of public lands, sanctuary areas, and various landcover types, as well as their broader movement patterns within and beyond Southeast Kansas. Ethan pursued a career in waterfowl research driven by his passion for duck hunting on public land and is committed to conducting applied research that supports contemporary waterfowl management and conservation.

Now is the time my friends to check in on your wetlands, growing season check-ins are critically important for intervention. Water conditions have been challenging for many this year with flooding of woods and croplands throughout the southeast and rains forcing late-drawdowns in the upper Midwest and into the northeastern US. Now more than ever is the time to take the time for a growing season check-in for problem plants and infrastructure issues. DrMike gives a priority checklist for your wetland and upcoming season, all this week on the FowlWeather Podcast.