New York isn’t exactly the place the average American thinks of when the topic of raising a sportsman is discussed, but hunting and fishing in northern New York inspired a lifelong love of hunting and angling in Brad Cohen so strong he has made studying several species his life’s work…with a little hunting thrown in.

In this episode, we discuss the Tennessee Mallard Project he oversees for Tennessee Tech. The team has been trapping wintering mallards in Tennessee for three years, and some of the early findings are shaking up our understanding of how waterfowl move during the hunting season!

Suggested Links and social media:

Facebook: Cohen Wildlife Lab

Instagram: cohenwildlab

https://www.cohenwildlifelab.com/

Show notes:

3:08 – Bill mentions the (unfortunate) duck season and introduces Dr. Brad Cohen of Tennesee Tech.

4:17 – The crew shares what they have been doing outdoors recently! Catching a bone fish in Belize, wrapping up duck season, puppy training and hunting pigeons.

7:56 – Brad talks about his childhood and background growing up in New York. Saltwater fishing, deer hunting and wild turkeys.

13:08 – Brad talks about his duck study… What are ducks doing in western Tennessee? What role are these refuges playing on the landscape? What if we try to get the ducks off these refuges – what would happen?

19:30 – Brad explains ducks and nocturnal behavior. Once hunting season starts, most of the time, ducks only fly twice a day.

24:45 – Brad doesn’t have any expectations when he does these studies, but he was surprised to learn that in west Tennessee ducks don’t fly very far, and 70% of these ducks use one refuge the entire time they are in the area.

30:30 – Brad discusses what we have done as hunters including more money and privatization.

32:00 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen!! Be sure to follow both NWF Outdoors and Artemis on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter!

33:00 - When and where are ducks flying?

35:20 - Does it matter if you are a good duck caller?

38:00 – When things freeze up, do ducks go south?

41:30 – Turns out, ducks that come to Tennessee – stay in the state and will often return should they leave.

45:06 – A few recommendations regarding how we hunt and disturb ducks.

49:22 – Brad shares a few projects he is currently working on right now… working with state agencies to help set seasons.

56:17 - For hunters in Tennessee, is there anything they can do to help Brad and his team?

57:20 – What about how this work ties into national policy?

1:02:54 – Closing statements and suggested resources!

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