On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Greyson Carlson to the show. Greyson is a dedicated waterfowl hunter from Michigan. He is also a hunting guide with Worldwide Trophy Adventures. He was guiding at the Lost Bridge Duck Club in Arkansas this past season and Brian had the opportunity to meet him and hunt with him there. They talk about his journey from growing up in the fishing industry in his family’s Michigan commercial fishing business, to getting into waterfowl hunting then progressing into his career as a hunting guide. They also talk about Aves hunting gear and his experience with using their gear all season. They finish the conversation talking about the migration this past season, what his observations were and what his opinion is on the flooded corn debate.  

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Migration Waterfowl Website & Store

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Migration Waterfowl is presented by:

Blue Bird Waterfowl

https://bluebirdwaterfowl.com

And also brought to you by these fine partners:

The Duck Hole & Company

https://m.facebook.com/duckholecompany

Rig’Em Right Outdoors

https://rigemright.com

Flight Day Am-mo

https://www.flightdayammo.com

10% off with code MW10

Aves Hunting

https://aveshunting.com

Retay USA

https://www.retayusa.com

frogs toggs

https://www.froggtoggs.com

Northern Duck Calls

https://www.northernduckcalls.com

15% off with code MW15

Takeaways

Grayson Carlson is a 24-year-old apprentice with WTA.

His family has a long history in the fishing industry.

He started hunting at a young age, influenced by his grandfather.

Duck hunting became his primary passion over other types of hunting.

He learned a lot from YouTube and observing waterfowl behavior.

His first guided hunt was in Arkansas, where he found joy in guiding others.

Grayson emphasizes the importance of being a people person in guiding.

He has learned a lot about habitat management and guiding from experienced mentors.

The differences in waterfowl hunting between Michigan and Arkansas are significant.

Grayson enjoys the challenges and experiences that come with being a guide. Unexpected encounters with whistling ducks can be thrilling.

Memorable hunts often create unforgettable experiences.

Arkansas is a legendary destination for duck hunting.

Migration patterns can be unpredictable due to environmental factors.

Drought significantly impacts bird numbers and hunting success.

Controversies around baiting and flooded corn affect hunting practices.

Agricultural practices play a crucial role in duck migration.

Quality gear enhances the hunting experience in various conditions.

The unique climate in Arkansas presents challenges for hunters.

Future adventures in hunting and outdoor activities are exciting and varied.

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On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Jeremy Ragsdale to the show. Jeremy is a hardcore waterfowl hunter from Nebraska. Brian has become good friends with Jeremy over the last two seasons as he has traveled out west to hunt with him and their mutual friends. They talk about how he got into waterfowl hunting and what it was that hooked him to keep coming back. They discuss his journey from being new to the sport to now being a seasoned waterfowl hunter and what has changed over the years. They also talk about how he balanced his time this season between hunting and his duties after the birth of his daughter. They also discuss how this past season went overall and what his goals are moving forward.

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@migrationwaterfowl

Migration Waterfowl Store

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Migration Waterfowl is presented by:

Blue Bird Waterfowl

https://bluebirdwaterfowl.com

And also brought to you by these fine partners:

The Duck Hole & Company

https://m.facebook.com/duckholecompany

Rig’Em Right Outdoors

https://rigemright.com

Flight Day Am-mo

https://www.flightdayammo.com

10% off with code MW10

Aves Hunting

https://aveshunting.com

Retay USA

https://www.retayusa.com

Frogg Toggs

https://www.froggtoggs.com

Northern Duck Calls

https://www.northernduckcalls.com

15% off with code MW15

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On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Jimmy Capello and Ryan O’Donnell from Drawback Outdoors. Jimmy and Ryan are hardcore waterfowlers from Brian's home state of Pennsylvania. They talk about their journeys growing up hunting in Pennsylvania and how they got into waterfowl hunting. They discuss the challenges and rewards of waterfowl hunting in a state like Pennsylvania that is not known for its waterfowl hunting. They also talk about the season structures, how the newly legal Sunday hunting laws may change waterfowl seasons and how Pennsylvania can improve waterfowl management.

You can learn more about Jimmy & Ryan here: https://www.youtube.com/@drawback__outdoors

Feel free to reach out to us: [email protected]

Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & TikTok:

@migrationwaterfowl

Migration Waterfowl Store

https://migration-waterfowl.printify.me

Migration Waterfowl is presented by:

Blue Bird Waterfowl

https://bluebirdwaterfowl.com

And also brought to you by these fine partners:

The Duck Hole & Company

https://m.facebook.com/duckholecompany

Rig’Em Right Outdoors

https://rigemright.com

Flight Day Am-mo

https://www.flightdayammo.com

10% off with code MW10

Aves Hunting

https://aveshunting.com

Retay USA

https://www.retayusa.com

Northern Duck Calls

https://www.northernduckcalls.com

15% off with code MW15

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Jordan Fromer to the show. Jordan is a hardcore waterfowler from Indiana. He is the host of the Duck Gun Podcast and the Duck Gun Chronicles YouTube channel. Jordan also started Duck Gun Wild Seasonings, developing seasonings blended specifically for wild game. They talk about his journey into waterfowl hunting, the challenges he faced and the steps he took to be successful consistently. They discuss his epic waterfowl adventures and projects, including the Timber Queen, an old wooden house boat he turned into a traveling duck camp to chase the duck season openers down the Mississippi River. You are really going to enjoy this one. You can learn more about Jordan here: https://youtube.com/@duckgunchronicles?si=_XOkLInXhhfuKrnS

Feel free to reach out to us: [email protected]

Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & TikTok:

@migrationwaterfowl

Migration Waterfowl Store

https://migration-waterfowl.printify.me

Migration Waterfowl is presented by:

Blue Bird Waterfowl

https://bluebirdwaterfowl.com

And also brought to you by these fine partners:

The Duck Hole & Company

https://m.facebook.com/duckholecompany

Rig’Em Right Outdoors

https://rigemright.com

Flight Day Am-mo

https://www.flightdayammo.com

10% off with code MW10

Aves Hunting

https://aveshunting.com

Retay USA

https://www.retayusa.com

Northern Duck Calls

https://www.northernduckcalls.com

15% off with code MW15

Takeaways

Jordan Fromer shares his journey into waterfowl hunting.

Supportive partners play a crucial role in pursuing passions.

Learning waterfowl hunting often comes from personal exploration.

Creating content while learning can inspire others.

Innovative projects like the Timber Queen showcase creativity in hunting.

Memorable experiences on the Timber Queen highlight the adventure of hunting.

Challenges faced on the Mississippi River test perseverance.

The end of the Timber Queen's journey marks a significant chapter.

Waterfowl hunting offers unique thrills and challenges each season.

Creative cooking with waterfowl enhances the hunting experience.

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On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Ben Meyers to the show. Ben is from Kansas and he is the owner of Flight Day Ammunition. He also manages his family farm in Missouri for waterfowl habitat. They discuss how his season went this year and anything he would have changed about it. They talk about the current flooded corn debate and get his insight as a private land owner and manager in Missouri. They also discuss Flight Day Ammunition, their experiences and successes with the rounds over this season and what’s new for 2026. They also talk about new technologies in waterfowl ammunition and where the industry is going moving forward.

Feel free to reach out to us: [email protected]

Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & TikTok:

@migrationwaterfowl

Migration Waterfowl Store

https://migration-waterfowl.printify.me

Migration Waterfowl is presented by:

Blue Bird Waterfowl

https://bluebirdwaterfowl.com

And also brought to you by these fine partners:

The Duck Hole & Company

https://m.facebook.com/duckholecompany

Rig’Em Right Outdoors

https://rigemright.com

Flight Day Am-mo

https://www.flightdayammo.com

10% off with code MW10

Aves Hunting

https://aveshunting.com

Retay USA

https://www.retayusa.com

Northern Duck Calls

https://www.northernduckcalls.com

15% off with code MW15

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Eric Lance to the show. Eric is an avid waterfowl hunter and wildlife biologist from Ohio. Eric talks about how his hunting season went this year. He discusses the problems facing wild mallard genetics, and the impact that farm duck hybridization is having on duck populations. They explore the importance of ecological understanding for waterfowl hunters, the critical habitat needs for ducks, and the effects of hunting pressure on waterfowl behavior. They also touch on public land management, the role of volunteers in conservation, and the challenges facing waterfowl populations today. Eric emphasizes the need for active participation in conservation efforts and the importance of understanding the ecology of waterfowl to ensure their future. You can learn more about Eric here: https://www.lanceecologylab.com

Feel free to reach out to us: [email protected]

Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & TikTok:

@migrationwaterfowl

Migration Waterfowl Store

https://migration-waterfowl.printify.me

Migration Waterfowl is presented by:

Blue Bird Waterfowl

https://bluebirdwaterfowl.com

And also brought to you by these fine partners:

The Duck Hole & Company

https://m.facebook.com/duckholecompany

Rig’Em Right Outdoors

https://rigemright.com

Flight Day Am-mo

https://www.flightdayammo.com

10% off with code MW10

Aves Hunting

https://aveshunting.com

Retay USA

https://www.retayusa.com

Northern Duck Calls

https://www.northernduckcalls.com

15% off with code MW15

Takeaways

Duck hunting season was successful for Eric, including an elk hunt in Colorado.

Eric's dissertation focuses on mallard genetics and artificial nesting structures.

Hybridization rates in mallards are increasing, impacting their behavior and ecology.

High hybridization rates can lead to negative ecological effects in mallards.

Management strategies are needed to address hybridization in mallard populations.

Understanding ecology enhances hunting success and conservation efforts.

Moist soil units are critical habitats for ducks throughout the year.

Hunting pressure significantly affects duck behavior and distribution.

Identifying feeding and loafing areas is essential for successful hunting.

Public land management and flooded corn practices are controversial but necessary for habitat.

Volunteers play a crucial role in conservation and habitat management.

Ecological understanding is vital for effective wildlife management.

Challenges in waterfowl management include funding and habitat loss.

Social media can both help and hinder wildlife management efforts.

Active participation in conservation is essential for the future of waterfowl populations.

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On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Elliott Snider to the show. Elliott has been on the show several times and it’s always fun catching up with him. Brian had the chance to hunt with him three times this season in three different states and they all turned out to be really successful and really special hunts. Elliott is the host of the North American Waterfowler Podcast and Freelance Duck Hunting on YouTube. He also created the North American Waterfowler app, a phone and computer application that logs all of your waterfowl hunting stats. They talk about his current scouting that he was doing for this weekend’s hunt and get a little insight into his approach. They also recap his waterfowl season and discuss his overall satisfaction, highlights and the goals he had for this season. They talk about the letter that Senator Kennedy sent to the head of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife service and weigh in on the current sentiments growing around this issue. They also discuss their faith journeys and evaluate where they are and where they want to go. They talk about the future of duck hunting and some changes that may be coming to Elliott’s home state.

Feel free to reach out to us: [email protected]

Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & TikTok:

@migrationwaterfowl

Migration Waterfowl Store

https://migration-waterfowl.printify.me

Migration Waterfowl is presented by:

Blue Bird Waterfowl

https://bluebirdwaterfowl.com

And also brought to you by these fine partners:

The Duck Hole & Company

https://m.facebook.com/duckholecompany

Rig’Em Right Outdoors

https://rigemright.com

Flight Day Am-mo

https://www.flightdayammo.com

10% off with code MW10

Aves Hunting

https://aveshunting.com

Retay USA

https://www.retayusa.com

Northern Duck Calls

https://www.northernduckcalls.com

15% off with code MW15

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Troy Miller and Blake Horton to the show. They are both originally from the great state of Texas with Blake now residing in Louisiana. They have been waterfowl hunting together for years and they recently decided to start the Wingin' It Waterfowl Podcast. They discuss how they got into waterfowl hunting. They talk about the challenges they have faced in previous seasons and how this current waterfowl season has been going. They also discuss their experiences during a podcast start up and the challenges and successes they have had to this point. They also talk about their faith journeys and how it has influenced their lives. They wrap up the conversation with their most memorable hunting experiences, strategies for targeting different species, and their future goals for their podcast.

Feel free to reach out to us: [email protected]

Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & TikTok:

@migrationwaterfowl

Migration Waterfowl Store

https://migration-waterfowl.printify.me

Migration Waterfowl is presented by:

Blue Bird Waterfowl

https://bluebirdwaterfowl.com

And also brought to you by these fine partners:

The Duck Hole & Company

https://m.facebook.com/duckholecompany

Rig’Em Right Outdoors

https://rigemright.com

Flight Day Am-mo

https://www.flightdayammo.com

10% off with code MW10

Aves Hunting

https://aveshunting.com

Retay USA

https://www.retayusa.com

Northern Duck Calls

https://www.northernduckcalls.com

15% off with code MW15

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib reflects on the past year and past waterfowl season as 2025 comes to an end. He provides an update on his waterfowl hunting adventures from the past week, his Christmas celebrations with family & friends and losing a few days of his vacation to the flu. He recaps the progress of the podcast over the past year and talks about where it is headed in 2026, including recognizing his friends and mentors who have helped him along the way. He also talks about his upcoming hunts, the weather forecast for his hunting areas and his plans for the rest of the Pennsylvania waterfowl seasons.

Feel free to reach out to us: [email protected]

Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & TikTok:

@migrationwaterfowl

Migration Waterfowl Store

https://migration-waterfowl.printify.me

Migration Waterfowl is presented by:

Blue Bird Waterfowl

https://bluebirdwaterfowl.com

And also brought to you by these fine partners:

The Duck Hole & Company

https://m.facebook.com/duckholecompany

Rig’Em Right Outdoors

https://rigemright.com

Flight Day Am-mo

https://www.flightdayammo.com

10% off with code MW10

Aves Hunting

https://aveshunting.com

Retay USA

https://www.retayusa.com

Northern Duck Calls

https://www.northernduckcalls.com

15% off with code MW15

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib shares his reflections on the waterfowl and holiday seasons, discussing family traditions and the joys of gathering and hunting during Christmas. Brian also shares his frustrations with modern technology and their impact on his use of that technology. Brian then transitions into his recent hunting experiences in Pennsylvania, detailing the challenges posed by weather conditions and the strategies employed to adapt. He discusses the importance of scouting and understanding local hunting regulations, as well as his personal goals for the hunting season. The episode concludes with a reading of the Christmas story from the Bible, emphasizing the significance of the holiday.

Feel free to reach out to us: [email protected]

Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & TikTok:

@migrationwaterfowl

Migration Waterfowl Store

https://migration-waterfowl.printify.me

Migration Waterfowl is presented by:

Blue Bird Waterfowl

https://bluebirdwaterfowl.com

And also brought to you by these fine partners:

The Duck Hole & Company

https://m.facebook.com/duckholecompany

Rig’Em Right Outdoors

https://rigemright.com

Flight Day Am-mo

https://www.flightdayammo.com

10% off with code MW10

Aves Hunting

https://aveshunting.com

Retay USA

https://www.retayusa.com

Northern Duck Calls

https://www.northernduckcalls.com

15% off with code MW15

Takeaways

Brian shares his love for family gatherings during the holiday season.

Modern technology can often lead to unexpected frustrations.

Scouting is crucial for successful hunting, especially in changing conditions.

Hunting in Pennsylvania has been challenging this season due to weather.

The importance of being courteous to fellow hunters is highlighted.

Tracking personal hunting stats can enhance the hunting experience.

Setting personal goals in hunting can lead to greater satisfaction.

The Christmas story is shared to reflect on the holiday's significance.

Brian emphasizes the importance of enjoying the outdoors and nature.

Listeners are encouraged to seek a relationship with their creator.

Chapters

00:00 Holiday Reflections and Family Traditions

05:21 Hunting Conditions and Strategies

11:26 Hunting Experience in Pennsylvania

18:11 Challenges and Observations During the Hunt

26:26 Hunting Experiences and Challenges

35:43 Seasonal Hunting Strategies and Weather Impact

46:52 Community Engagement and Future Plans

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