Travis Thompson shares his journey as a fifth-generation Floridian dedicated to conservation through All Florida, his duck guiding business, and his work with the International Order of Theodore Roosevelt. His passion for protecting wild spaces while respecting private property rights shapes his approach to Florida's conservation challenges.

• Working in conservation through three roles: All Florida organization, Duck Ranching guide service, and the International Order of Theodore Roosevelt
• Securing Florida's constitutional right to hunt and fish as the 24th state to have this protection
• Navigating the balance between responsible development and conservation in Florida's growing landscape
• Explaining how the Florida Wildlife Corridor protects 10 million acres with a goal of 18 million acres
• Creating partnerships between landowners, hunters, and conservationists to keep land wild while generating revenue
• Celebrating the restoration of Florida's black bear hunt as a conservation success story
• Managing land for duck hunting that unexpectedly provided habitat for 10% of North America's endangered Snail Kites
• Encouraging everyone to find their personal "conservation ethic" beyond social media activism
• Supporting complementary organizations like Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl for their unique conservation roles

Check out All Florida at allflaorg to learn more about conservation initiatives in the Sunshine State and follow Travis Thompson's work protecting Florida's natural resources.

Dawson Yates shares his journey from basketball player to waterfowl guide, showcasing how hunting became his passion and led to his viral TikTok videos including the famous duck coaching pool clip.

• Started duck hunting as a young boy but became serious about it in high school
• Transitioned from basketball to hunting as his main passion and focus
• Built an impressive man cave in his garage that serves as a hangout spot for friends
• Began guiding two years ago, finding joy in helping clients shoot their first duck
• Gained TikTok following by sharing authentic hunting stories rather than just success
• Believes the best guides are entertainers who can make even slow days enjoyable
• Created the Talking Timber brand with apparel and an upcoming podcast

Follow Dawson at TheDawsonYates on Instagram and TikTok, and check out Talking Timber for new hats coming soon.

Dawson Peak shares his journey from growing up on a family-owned sporting clay range and quail hunting preserve to becoming a college shooting champion and avid waterfowl hunter.

• Growing up in a family business managing sporting clay courses, rifle/pistol ranges, and quail hunting in Quitman, Georgia
• Managing 26 hunting dogs of various breeds and the challenges of keeping them healthy in Georgia heat
• Competing in sporting clays from age 12 and eventually winning national championships with Georgia Southern University
• Finding success in college shooting competitions and the financial challenges of the sport
• Using a Lab as both a waterfowl retriever and quail flush dog
• Tips for better wingshooting: keep both eyes open and focus on the target, not the barrel
• Hunting diver ducks along the Florida-Georgia coast and dealing with saltwater challenges
• Story of an epic public land teal hunt where 16 hunters joined forces and nearly everyone limited out
• The importance of being honest with game wardens and respecting wildlife conservation

To book a quail hunt or visit the sporting clay courses at Dawson's family business, contact him at 229-415-6028 or find him on Instagram @dtpeak2016.

Dennis Loosier and Billy Campbell from Dr. Duck join us to discuss the challenges facing public land hunters and the importance of mutual respect in preserving hunting opportunities for future generations.

• The increasing regulations on public land hunting are making it harder for hunters to enjoy the sport
• Dennis and Billy emphasize that success in duck hunting isn't measured by numbers but by the opportunity to hunt on your own terms
• The "same team" philosophy encourages hunters to treat each other with respect and sportsmanship
• One regulation typically leads to another, creating a domino effect across states that restricts hunting access
• Designated hunting days and draw systems disproportionately affect young hunters with limited time
• Social media can either promote poor behavior or positive examples of respectful hunting
• Both guests share stories of helping fellow hunters, demonstrating how community builds better experiences
• The conversation includes a fun "This or That" segment revealing preferences on everything from shotgun gauge to favorite snacks

If you enjoy the outdoors and care about preserving access to public lands, share this episode and help spread the message of respect and community in hunting.

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Williamson Outfitters (Coastal Florida Waterfowl Hunts, Fishing, Gator Hunts and Much more!)

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Looking to waterfowl hunt in Arkansas? Give our good friend Kade Weatherford, Owner of Delta Thunder Outfitters a call at (870)-926-7944

We sit down with duck hunting guide Kade Weatherford at the Ducks Expo 2025 to discuss the realities of waterfowl hunting and what to expect for the upcoming season. Cade shares his firsthand experience of managing expectations and creating memorable experiences for hunters regardless of conditions.

• The importance of not judging an outfitter based on a single hunt experience
• Why worked-up dirt can sometimes produce better hunting than planted fields
• How hundreds of thousands of unplanted acres in Arkansas might affect the upcoming season
• Insight into duck feeding patterns and lesser-known food sources like smartweeds and invertebrates
• Why hunting multiple days significantly increases your chances of success
• Discussion of hunting pressure theory and when to rest versus hunt your property
• Detailed breakdown of available dates for the upcoming season
• Affordable rates of $250 per day with $100 deposit and optional $40 lodging

To book a hunt with Kade Weatherford, call 870-926-7944. Available dates are limited and filling fast.

Companies we LOVE | Ways to Support the Podcast ↓

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Williamson Outfitters (Coastal Florida Waterfowl Hunts, Fishing, Gator Hunts and Much more!)

https://floridaducks.com/

Looking to waterfowl hunt in Arkansas? Give our good friend Kade Weatherford, Owner of Delta Thunder Outfitters a call at (870)-926-7944

Lucas Haygood shares his journey to become a passionate duck hunter and social media presence, highlighting the importance of mentorship in the outdoors. He explains how his uncle Kyle gave him purpose through hunting after losing his father at age three and dealing with his mother's addiction.

• Growing up hunting private land before venturing into Arkansas public land
• Finding his voice on social media after struggling to gain traction initially
• Advocating for sportsmanship and cooperation on crowded public hunting areas
• Emphasizing the need for proper scouting and homework before hunting unfamiliar areas
• Discussing gear preferences including surface drives over outboards, 12 gauge over 20, and Bush Light (not apple) for refreshment

Follow Lucas on Instagram and TikTok @HeyGood84 to keep up with his waterfowl adventures and insights.

When Carson Tharp got his first Labrador retriever in college, he had no idea it would lead to creating one of waterfowl hunting's most innovative decoy systems. But that's exactly what happened when his frustration with existing motion decoys sparked an entrepreneurial journey that's now revolutionizing how hunters approach bringing birds to the spread.

Carson joins us to share the remarkable story behind Jahpoo Outdoors and its game-changing motion decoy. Far from the typical hunting industry origin story, Carson's path took him from international relations studies at the University of Texas to developing a completely new approach to decoy technology. What makes this conversation particularly fascinating is how organic his progression was – driven purely by his passion for creating something he wanted for his own hunting, not initially as a business venture.

The Jahpoo name itself comes with an unexpectedly charming backstory involving Carson's dog Sadie, mischievous roommates, and a misheard line from "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas." This personal touch underscores how the most authentic innovations often emerge from real experiences in the field rather than corporate boardrooms. Carson takes us through the challenging journey of product development – from crude prototypes and 3D printing to the complexities of injection molding and developing scratch-resistant paint that can withstand the harsh conditions waterfowlers face.

What truly stands out is Carson's persistence in the face of rejection and setbacks. When engineering friends initially dismissed his idea as impossible, he pushed forward anyway. When early trade show presentations featured not-quite-working prototypes, he adapted and persevered. This resilience speaks to the entrepreneurial spirit driving innovation throughout the outdoor industry and offers valuable lessons for anyone pursuing their own passion projects. Pre-orders for Jahpoo revolutionary decoys are available now at www.jahpoo.com – but with inventory expected to arrive in late August and limited quantities available, serious waterfowlers should act quickly to secure theirs for the upcoming season.

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Williamson Outfitters (Coastal Florida Waterfowl Hunts, Fishing, Gator Hunts and Much more!)

https://floridaducks.com/

Looking to waterfowl hunt in Arkansas? Give our good friend Kade Weatherford, Owner of Delta Thunder Outfitters a call at (870)-926-7944

Logan Archibald joins us to share his journey from Michigan to Texas and back again, discussing wildlife management, deer guiding, and how hunting communities can better support conservation through understanding and cooperation.

• Born and raised in Michigan, Logan studied wildlife management before spending seven years guiding in South Texas
• High fence ranches in Texas often span thousands of acres where deer rarely encounter boundaries
• Aging deer properly requires looking at where the neck meets the body, back sway, and leg proportionality
• Texas Parks & Wildlife works directly with landowners through Managed Land Deer Permits to create customized harvest plans
• Buck-to-doe ratios explain why Texas deer respond better to rattling than northern deer
• Supplemental feeding impacts deer health but corn provides minimal nutritional value
• Michigan's new rule prohibiting youth hunters from shooting bucks creates barriers to recruitment
• Turkey hunting community shows less divisiveness than deer hunting culture
• Following your passion as a hunter sometimes means stepping behind the camera to help others
• Improving hunting success requires thorough scouting and proficiency with equipment

If you're looking to connect with Logan, follow him on Instagram @WoodyArchibald, TikTok @BeardedSportsman, or check out his filming work with 810 Outdoors on YouTube.

Companies we LOVE | Ways to Support the Podcast ↓


froggtoggs - USE CODE ZD315 FOR 15 PERCENT OFF @ www.froggtoggs.com *Cannot be used in combination with any other promo code. Offer only available at www.froggtoggs.com.*

Valid 8/30/2023 thru 12/31/2024

Code Zeroduck15 for 15 percent off https://dirtyduckcoffee.com/

Williamson Outfitters (Coastal Florida Waterfowl Hunts, Fishing, Gator Hunts and Much more!)

https://floridaducks.com/

Looking to waterfowl hunt in Arkansas? Give our good friend Kade Weatherford, Owner of Delta Thunder Outfitters a call at (870)-926-7944

Preparing for hunting season requires more than just buying tags and cleaning your gear – it demands understanding the landscapes, animal behaviors, and biological rhythms that dictate success. 

Summer offers deer hunters a critical window for effective scouting, and we're diving deep into strategies that separate casual hunters from those who consistently tag mature bucks on public land. We explore the concept of "shelf hunting" – positioning yourself along ridge shelves where deer naturally travel – and explain why these seemingly simple terrain features produce results year after year. The mechanics are fascinating: these shelves represent the path of least resistance for energy-conscious mature bucks, while also offering hunters unprecedented advantages for scent control with morning thermals.

Meanwhile, waterfowl season looms on the horizon with upcoming expos from Delta Waterfowl in Oklahoma City and Ducks Unlimited in Memphis. We analyze this year's Federal Duck Stamp featuring the spectacular spectacled eider and discuss the science behind season dates and splits. The question many hunters ask – "Why can't we hunt later?" – deserves a data-driven answer that prioritizes brood production over our hunting opportunities.

Throughout our conversation, we celebrate recent conservation victories protecting public lands and emphasize how hunter unity remains our greatest strength. Whether you're battling weeds in your yard or planning your next hunting adventure, the message remains clear: preparation, persistence, and understanding natural systems are key to creating memorable outdoor experiences.

Have a question you'd like us to answer on air? Leave a comment and you might just win one of our exclusive leather koozies! Join us in pursuing one hell of a life in the great outdoors.

Companies we LOVE | Ways to Support the Podcast ↓


froggtoggs - USE CODE ZD315 FOR 15 PERCENT OFF @ www.froggtoggs.com *Cannot be used in combination with any other promo code. Offer only available at www.froggtoggs.com.*

Valid 8/30/2023 thru 12/31/2024

Code Zeroduck15 for 15 percent off https://dirtyduckcoffee.com/

Williamson Outfitters (Coastal Florida Waterfowl Hunts, Fishing, Gator Hunts and Much more!)

https://floridaducks.com/

Looking to waterfowl hunt in Arkansas? Give our good friend Kade Weatherford, Owner of Delta Thunder Outfitters a call at (870)-926-7944