The Big Honker Podcast

This series highlights the highs and lows of hunting public land across different regions of America — the early mornings, the pressure, the competition, and the grind that comes with earning every bird.

In this episode, Jeff Stanfield and Andy Shaver are joined by Brad Schumacher from North Dakota.

Brad explains what makes North Dakota one of the premier destinations for waterfowl hunting and why thousands of duck and goose hunters make the pilgrimage there every fall. He discusses the state's abundant public access, diverse habitat, and incredible migration that combine to create some of the best hunting opportunities in North America.

The guys also talk about the vast amount of duck and goose hunting available throughout North Dakota, from prairie potholes and wetlands to agricultural fields that attract migrating birds throughout the season. 

He also recounts an unforgettable pheasant hunting trip where his group stumbled upon much more than a wild rooster, leading to a bizarre and unforgettable story that proves you never know what you'll encounter in the field.

This series is brought to you by the great people at Chêne Gear.

Jeff Stanfield and Andy Shaver are joined by Grayson Morris, Community Manager for Chêne Gear.

The guys discuss some of the exciting new products and innovations hunters can expect from Chêne as waterfowl season rapidly approaches. Grayson shares insights into the company's outstanding growth, and the loyal customer base that has helped make Chêne one of the most recognized names in the waterfowl industry.

They also talk about the importance of building a strong community around a brand, how Chêne has connected with hunters across the country, and what sets the company apart in an increasingly competitive outdoor market.

Beyond business, Grayson recaps a busy spring spent chasing wild turkeys across multiple states and shares stories from his travels pursuing ducks and geese throughout North America. From turkey woods and flooded timber to road trips and migration hunts, he reflects on the experiences and friendships that keep hunters coming back season after season.

Jeff Stanfield and Andy Shaver are joined by Andrew Kern, a seed dealer for DEKALB.

The guys discuss the rapid technological advancements transforming modern agriculture, from precision farming and seed genetics to the tools helping farmers maximize yields in an increasingly challenging environment. Andrew shares his perspective on the ongoing GMO vs. non-GMO debate, separating fact from fiction and explaining how modern seed technology has shaped today's farming industry.

The conversation also explores the growing challenges facing the American farmer, including rising input costs, market volatility, regulatory pressures, and the uncertainty many producers face heading into the future. Andrew offers his thoughts on where the agriculture industry is headed in the coming years and the innovations that may help producers remain competitive.

Finally, Andrew reflects on an excellent waterfowl season in Maryland, explaining how a little weather to the north helped push birds into the region and created memorable hunting opportunities to end his season.

In this series, Jeff & Andy dive into a mix of useless facts, myths, forgotten stories, and strange truths.

In this episode, Jeff shares the history behind the Juneteenth holiday, and Andy shares a perspective about Elon Musk’s trillionaire status and the “seed police” that have been made relevant by Monsanto patenting agricultural seeds.

This series is brought to you by the amazing Cedar Run Decoys.

Jeff Stanfield and Andy Shaver are joined by leaders from the Pointe Mouillee Waterfowl Festival, recognized as the oldest waterfowl festival in America.

The group discusses the origins of the festival dating back to the 1940s, how it has grown over the decades, and the role it has played in preserving the rich traditions of waterfowl hunting and conservation. They also explore the deep waterfowling heritage of the region and why the area remains an important destination for duck and goose hunters.

The conversation highlights the festival’s longstanding connection to the hunting community, the volunteers and supporters who have helped sustain it for generations, and the importance of passing those traditions on to future hunters.

They also give listeners a preview of what to expect at this year’s festival, including events, competitions, exhibits, and opportunities for waterfowl hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to celebrate one of the nation's most enduring hunting traditions.

Jeff Stanfield and Andy Shaver are joined by Tony Stanfield for another round of discussions on strange stories, conspiracy theories, and current events that sound crazy—but might make a little too much sense.

The guys dive into the recent UFC event at the White House, the terrorist plot that was reportedly thwarted by the FBI, and the latest developments in the ongoing relationship between the United States and Iran, including a new peace agreement and questions about how long it might hold.

They also discuss the latest release of UFO-related files and what new information, if any, can be learned from them. To wrap things up, Tony shares the story of a lost civilization and the evidence that suggests there may be far more to human history than we've been told.

This series highlights the highs and lows of hunting public land across different regions of America — the early mornings, the pressure, the competition, and the grind that comes with earning every bird.

In this episode, Jeff Stanfield and Andy Shaver are joined by Nathan Peterson from Washington.

The guys discuss the outstanding waterfowl hunting opportunities in Washington, from flooded agricultural fields and river systems to the coastal bays that attract a wide variety of migratory birds. Nathan shares stories from unforgettable days chasing greenhead mallards during peak migration, when wave after wave of ducks poured into the region.

They also dive into the unique challenge of hunting sea ducks along the coast, the massive numbers of American wigeon that winter in Washington each year, and what makes the Pacific Flyway such a special destination for duck hunters.

Nathan also shares stories from his years in the field, including a harrowing experience on public land where he found himself forced to intervene in a life-or-death situation.

This series is brought to you by the great people at Chêne Gear.

In this series, Jeff & Andy dive into a mix of useless facts, myths, forgotten stories, and strange truths.

In this episode, Jeff and Andy dive into a variety of fascinating topics, starting with the staggering amount of equipment, vehicles, ammunition, and supplies the United States shipped overseas to support the Allied war effort during World War II. Jeff highlights the enormous industrial and logistical undertaking that helped fuel victory abroad and transformed America into the world's manufacturing powerhouse.

The conversation then shifts to consumer behavior, as Andy shares some of the subtle tactics restaurants use to encourage customers to spend more money, from menu design and pricing strategies to the psychology behind ordering decisions. Andy also discuss the extraordinary lengths some companies have gone to protect their trade secrets, safeguard proprietary formulas, and maintain a competitive edge in the marketplace.

This series is brought to you by the amazing Cedar Run Decoys.

This series highlights the highs and lows of hunting public land across different regions of America — the early mornings, the pressure, the competition, and the grind that comes with earning every bird.

In this episode, Jeff Stanfield and Andy Shaver are joined by Noah Caraway from Kentucky.

The guys discuss the most commonly harvested duck species in Kentucky, the number of duck and goose hunters across the state, and what a typical morning looks like chasing waterfowl in the Bluegrass State. From early alarms and boat launches to scouting and adapting to changing conditions, Noah paints a picture of what duck hunting in Kentucky is really like.

Noah also shares some of his favorite memories hunting in his home state, along with stories from his time freelancing in North Dakota, one of the premier destinations for waterfowl hunting in North America. He discusses the differences between hunting the two states and the lessons learned from traveling to pursue ducks.

The conversation wraps up with a hair-raising story from a severe weather day when a hunt nearly turned disastrous, serving as a reminder of how quickly conditions can change in the outdoors.

This series is brought to you by the great people at Chêne Gear.

Jeff Stanfield and Andy Shaver work their way through some of the biggest headlines making news today, offering their thoughts on everything from sports and current events to agriculture and politics.

The guys discuss the on-again, off-again suspension involving Brendan Sorsby and the growing scrutiny surrounding gambling in college athletics. They also weigh in on the national backlash and criticism directed at Texas Tech University as the school continues to find itself in the spotlight.

The conversation then turns to the verdict in the Karmelo Anthony trial, the growing concern over the New World screwworm and its movement north in Texas, and the barbaric behavior that was seen in Ireland.

They also discuss the recent election in Los Angeles, before wrapping up with a look at the NFL landscape and the impact of the Los Angeles Rams acquiring Myles Garrett.