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.

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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

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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On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Luke Costilow to the show. Luke is a full-time duck decoy carver from Northeast Ohio. He is also an avid waterfowl hunter and has many years of experience hunting ducks. They discuss Luke's journey from wildlife management to carving decoys, the importance of family in waterfowl hunting, and the current state of duck hunting in Ohio. Luke shares insights on migration patterns, hunting regulations, and the challenges and rewards of running a decoy business. He emphasizes the significance of wetland management and the joy of teaching others the art of decoy carving. They also highlight the personal connections made through waterfowl hunting and the craft of decoy making.

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

Luke Costilow is a full-time duck decoy carver from Northeast Ohio.

He has a strong family connection to waterfowl hunting, having been taught by his father.

The current season has been particularly good for waterfowl hunting in Ohio.

Luke emphasizes the importance of wetland management for successful hunting.

He has transitioned from wildlife management to full-time decoy carving.

Luke's decoys are influenced by both competition standards and functional hunting needs.

He uses high-density cork and Tupelo wood for his decoys.

Teaching decoy carving classes has become a significant part of his business.

Luke's business includes custom orders and a new venture in decoy carving kits.

He finds fulfillment in the personal connections made through his work.

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On this episode of the Migration Waterfowl podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes repeat guests and good friends Damien Pittman and Brian Ellithorpe to the show. They engage in a lively discussion about their recent hunting experiences, the challenges of the current season, and the importance of community and friendship in the waterfowl hunting world. Ellithorpe shares stories from his recent trip to Maple Ranch, working with great companies in the waterfowl hunting industry and a surprise guest he got to meet at the ranch. They also discuss innovative solutions like the Redneck Ice Eater and then dive into the complexities of duck population estimates and conservation efforts. Too much fun and laughs as usual with this crew. Be sure to follow these boys at https://punisherwaterfowl.com and https://www.brianellithorpemedia.com

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

Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & TikTok:

@migrationwaterfowl

Migration Waterfowl Store

https://migrationwaterfowl.com

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 Ammunition

https://www.flightdayammo.com

10% off with code MW10

Aves Hunting

https://aveshunting.com

Retay USA Shotguns

https://www.retayusa.com

Northern Duck Calls

https://www.northernduckcalls.com

15% off with code MW15

Takeaways

The Maple Ranch trip provided unique opportunities for filming and collaboration.

Success in hunting often comes from hard work and dedication.

Community and friendship play a vital role in the hunting experience.

Innovative solutions like ice eaters can help in challenging conditions.

Duck population estimates can vary significantly between regions.

Conservation efforts are crucial for maintaining healthy bird populations.

Banding stories highlight the competitive nature of hunting.

The current hunting season has presented various challenges due to weather and access.

Habitat loss is a significant concern for waterfowl populations.

Future plans include collaborations and giveaways to engage the hunting community.

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On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcome Cody Griffith to the show. Cody is a dedicated waterfowl hunter and owner of Triple B Outdoors. Cody began hunting at a young age in Arkansas. They discuss his transition from deer hunting to waterfowl hunting when he turned 16. They get into the challenges he faced in those first few seasons and how he overcame them. They discuss waterfowl hunting etiquette and how waterfowl hunters can get better at working together. They also talk about the great people we have met through our connections in the waterfowl hunting community. Cody shares some of his memorable hunting stories and some tips for new hunters.

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

Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & TikTok:

@migrationwaterfowl

Migration Waterfowl Store

https://tinyurl.com/MigrationWaterfowlStore

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:

Cody Griffith started hunting at a young age, influenced by his family.

Waterfowl hunting offers camaraderie and a more social experience compared to other hunting types.

Challenges faced by new hunters often include lack of gear and knowledge.

The decline in duck populations is attributed to hunting pressure and habitat loss.

Cody emphasizes the importance of sportsmanship in the hunting community.

Documenting hunts through social media can enhance the experience and create lasting memories.

Cody's favorite waterfowl species to hunt are mallards and Canada geese.

The teal season this year was disappointing compared to previous years.

Cody's most memorable hunts involve unique experiences and the joy of sharing them with friends.

Future goals include getting his girlfriend a wood duck and starting his own podcast.

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On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Louie Scafetta to the show. Louie is a repeat guest who was on the show back on episode 43. Louie is a hardcore waterfowl hunter from New York. He is also owner and guide at 11 Lakes Outfitters. They discuss the importance of mental toughness for waterfowlers and how that discipline leads to success. They also talk about maintaining motivation and how a strong mental edge can impact your ability to over come challenges and reach your goals. They discuss how developing hunting skills will only take you so far but mental resilience can get you to that next level of success. They talk about perseverance over an entire hunting season is key to repeating success and how success is a product of mental discipline and focus. Louie also offers some advice on how to handle the physical demands of waterfowl hunting and suggests how everyone can stay in shape year round with some simple adjustments to your daily routine.

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 Ammunition

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 Louie Scafetta to the show. Louie is a repeat guest who was on the show back on episode 43. Louie is a hardcore waterfowl hunter from New York. He is also owner and guide at 11 Lakes Outfitters. They discuss the importance of mental toughness for waterfowlers and how that discipline leads to success. They also talk about maintaining motivation and how a strong mental edge can impact your ability to over come challenges and reach your goals. They discuss how developing hunting skills will only take you so far but mental resilience can get you to that next level of success. They talk about perseverance over an entire hunting season is key to repeating success and how success is a product of mental discipline and focus. Louie also offers some advice on how to handle the physical demands of waterfowl hunting and suggests how everyone can stay in shape year round with some simple adjustments to your daily routine.

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 Ammunition

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 Hunter Flanders to the show. Hunter is a dedicated waterfowl hunter from Wisconsin. He is also the Retay USA Community Manager. They discuss Hunter’s background of growing up in the outdoors in his home state of Wisconsin. He talks about the diverse duck species he chases there, his favorite duck, and the changes he’s seen to Wisconsin waterfowl hunting over the years. They also discuss some of his most memorable hunts, personal reflections on his years as a waterfowler and some great advice he has for new waterfowl hunters. They talk about his Community Manager role with Retay Shotguns, what makes Retay different than other brands in the industry and what Retay has to offer waterfowlers.

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

Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & TikTok:

@migrationwaterfowl

Migration Waterfowl Store

https://migrationwaterfowl.com

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 Ammunition

https://www.flightdayammo.com

10% off with code MW10

Aves Hunting

https://aveshunting.com

Retay USA Shotguns

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 breaks down his recent 4 day duck hunting trip to the Central Flyway. Brian talks about his travel plans and challenges traveling from his home state of Pennsylvania to the Central Flyway. He discusses the anticipation of a big cold front and north wind that is forecasted to hit the Central Flyway and the hopes that it will push more mallards to the area. Brian also talks about the camp, his truck camping set up and the joys of a full immersion duck hunting experience with great friends. He discusses each day's hunt, the set ups, ducks harvested and the tactics used during the hunts. He wraps up talking about his personal stats from the hunts including number of birds harvested, species, satisfaction and more.

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

Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & TikTok:

@migrationwaterfowl

Migration Waterfowl Store

https://migrationwaterfowl.com

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 Ammunition

https://www.flightdayammo.com

10% off with code MW10

Aves Hunting

https://aveshunting.com

Retay USA Shotguns

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 invites Mike Pomaibo to the show. They catch up on their recent hunting adventures from this past week and take some listener questions. Brian discusses his short break from duck season for a few days at deer camp, his success in the field and what duck hunts he has planned next. Mike talks about his duck hunting trip out of state, his experience on a lottery blind draw hunt and his first gadwall. Brian provides an update on the duck boat project and when he anticipates it being completed. Brian and Mike also take some time to answer some listener questions.

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

Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & TikTok:

@migrationwaterfowl

Migration Waterfowl Store

https://migrationwaterfowl.com

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 Ammunition

https://www.flightdayammo.com

10% off with code MW10

Aves Hunting

https://aveshunting.com

Retay USA Shotguns

https://www.retayusa.com

Northern Duck Calls

https://www.northernduckcalls.com

15% off with code MW15

Takeaways:

Hunting is about the experience, not just the kill.

Wind direction plays a crucial role in duck hunting success.

Building friendships through hunting enhances the experience.

Safety is paramount when hunting, especially in cold conditions.

Using the right gear can significantly improve hunting outcomes.

Sharing stories and experiences fosters community among hunters.

It's important to be proactive in finding hunting partners.

Every hunt is an opportunity to learn something new.

Hunting can be a spiritual experience, connecting with nature.

The joy of hunting is often found in the fellowship with friends.

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