In this episode I walk through the long term mallard population trends and ask a simple question. Can the average hunter actually feel the effects of this decline. Mallard numbers have dropped from more than eleven million in 2016 to around six and a half million today. I look at the historical highs and lows, compare them to my own data since 2016, and talk about whether the current dip is truly changing the way our hunts unfold or if our success still comes down to weather patterns, decisions, and being in the right place at the right time.

I also break down the recent cold snaps, the sudden migration push across the Central Flyway, and how difficult it can be to make good decisions when the shallow marshes freeze solid. I talk about yesterday’s frustrating river hunt, why finishing ducks has been so tough this year, what I am seeing from other hunters, and why this season feels so strange.

Later in the episode I preview the Patreon hunt giveaway weekend with Captain Casey, Brian H. from the Migration Waterfowl Podcast, and Ben Meyers. I also share early thoughts on planning the spring Patreon float trip and what the next few weeks of December may look like.

If you watch on Spotify you can drop comments and share your thoughts on whether declining mallard populations are affecting your hunting. I would love to hear what you think.

PARTNER LINKS

Flight Day Ammunition

Shotty Gear

TideWe
https://www.tidewe.com

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates

Use code GUARDIAN15 for fifteen percent off

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Join Elliott as he recounts his Thanksgiving week filled with waterfowl hunting adventures. From unpredictable weather challenges to the camaraderie with fellow hunters, Elliott shares insights on bird movements, gear choices, and memorable hunts, including a top five hunt of his life. Tune in for a deep dive into the art of waterfowl hunting and the strategies that make it successful.

Flight Day Ammunition
https://www.flightdayammo.com

Weatherby Shotguns
https://www.weatherby.com

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates
https://www.mammothpetproducts.com

Shotty Gear
https://www.shottygear.com

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In this episode of The North American Waterfowler, Elliott goes full rant mode. From holiday nostalgia to Chiefs stress to duck hunting “experts” who speak in absolutes, this one covers it all. Elliott breaks down why claims about mallards, cold fronts, ice, and snow often get tossed around like scientific fact when most of it is nothing more than opinion dressed up as truth.

He also dives into weather frustration, the chaos of unpredictable forecasts, and the strategy game of stale-bird hunting. Then the big one: Georgie’s escalating whining problem. Elliott lays out exactly how it’s getting worse, why it’s such a devastating issue for a dog guy, and why even top pros don’t have a real solution.

The episode wraps with November hunt stats, comment of the week, and a powerful message for hunters dealing with trials and stress during the holiday season.

PARTNERS AND DISCOUNT CODES

Flight Day Ammunition

Shotty Gear

TideWe

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates

Weatherby Shotguns

North American Waterfowler App

Patreon Community

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Ben Meyers from Flight Day Ammunition is back and we tell the full story behind recent comments about Flight Day on the Boss Shot Shells fan page. We walk through the pattern comparison that started it, how Flight Day steel edged out Boss Steel Reserve on the board, and why Ben thinks muzzle velocity myths just will not die.

Ben breaks down copper shot versus premium slow steel, real gel test results, pattern percentages at forty yards, and what actually matters from thirty to fifty yards when birds are over the decoys. We also talk pump failures, flooding timber for mallards, Thanksgiving weather, and why I am still running sixes in my twenty gauge with a Muller decoy choke.

Flight Day Ammunition

Weatherby Shotguns
The shotguns I rely on for every hunt and every video.

TideWe

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates

Shotty Gear

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In this episode Elliott checks in from the heart of mid season in the Central Flyway with a full weather and migration update from Kansas. Warm temperatures and a late push of birds have made this stretch tricky, so he walks through the ten day forecast, talks about why he actually took a rare weekend off from hunting, and explains what he looks for when deciding whether to rest or grind. You will hear about date night at the old school winery, the feeling of being fully rested on a November Saturday, and how that ties back into keeping family and hunting in balance.

Elliott also recaps a four day duck camp with Jordan Fromer, Brian Hallblieb, Aiden and Jeremy, complete with hot tent living, steak dinners, and some really solid hunts. He breaks down his current numbers at the midpoint of the season, the exact moment the migration flipped from mixed bags to true mallard season, and why he thinks the new trend of saying birds only show up on the first south wind day is overrated. Along the way he talks marsh etiquette, OnX yardages, Georgie’s sore paw, geese landing on spinning wing decoys, and how Thrill of the Fight on the Meta Quest is changing his fitness and mindset. If you love hearing honest talk about weather, birds, camp life, and the little details that make waterfowling special, this one is for you.

TideWE — Use code FDH18 at tidewe.com for 18 % off.

Shotty Gear — Use code FDH10 at shottygear.com for a discount on shell pouches, backpacks, gun cases and more.

Flight Day Ammunition — Use code FDH10 at flightdayammo.com for your ammo needs.

Mammoth Pet Products — Use discount code GUARDIAN15 for the Mammoth Guardian Dog Crate (search “Mammoth Guardian Dog Crate” on Amazon).

Weatherby — (No code mentioned, but linked as a sponsor for shotguns.)

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Episode description

Elliott sits down with Wisconsin waterfowler and patron guest Jake Brokish. They compare notes on a fresh cold front push, the shift from blue-wing teal and wood ducks to mallards, and why the best flights often arrive overnight. Jake walks through his small-boat backwater approach on the Mississippi, hiding off the boat when possible, and what geese do over water when spinners are running. They hit calling goals for the season, gear priorities, and how warm falls keep changing the rhythm of mid-November hunts. There is a little Packers talk, a little soup-by-the-fire honesty, and plenty of practical takeaways for anyone chasing ducks on shallow pockets and cattails.

TideWe — heated vests, base layers, waders, blinds

Shotty Gear — shell pouches, backpacks, blind bags, rugged gun cases, duck straps

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates — lightweight crate with optional roll-cage add-on

Weatherby — Element and 18i shotguns
https://www.weatherby.com

Flight Day Ammunition — waterfowl loads in 20 gauge and more

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Mike Marino of Marino Decoys joins Elliott to share how a kids pastor fell in love with carving and turned high density cork and tupelo heads into functional art that hunts. Mike walks through his full process from pattern and bandsaw to glass eyes and paint, why cork still floats after a stray pellet, and how he creates working urn decoys that hold a dog’s ashes and even shells. He talks species he carves and hunts, goldeneye addiction on frozen reservoirs, first place ribbons at the Colorado State Fair, and the “Just One More” mission behind his brand. Elliott and Mike also swap notes on cooking divers, raising kids in the blind, and why faith brings real freedom.

See Mike’s work at marinodecoys.com and on Instagram and Facebook at Marino Decoys.

Partners

Flight Day Ammunition – flightdayammo.com — Code: FDH10

Weatherby Shotguns – weatherby.com

TideWe Waders & Gear – tidewe.com — Code: FDH18

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates – mammothpetproducts.com — Code: GUARDIAN15

Shotty Gear – shottygear.com — Code: FDH10

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On this November 3 episode I break down the big duck opener from a solo kayak hide that turned into a pintail show. First frost mornings, a steady northwest wind, and plenty of birds made for a memorable hunt with Georgie working hard. I share how the sun angle and a spinner affected finishing birds, why I shifted setups mid hunt, and a quick story about an eight point buck slipping along the willows. We also tackle three listener questions from Instagram including my most dangerous moments in the marsh, when ducks are simply too high to call, and why solids have become popular alongside camo. I close with a North American Waterfowler app snapshot of the season so far and a look ahead at camp plans for next weekend.

TideWe – Heated vests, coats, waders, and blinds. Black Friday sale running through December 1. Use code FDH18 for 18% off at TideWe.com

Shotty Gear – Waterproof shell pouches, gear bags, and gun cases. Use code FDH10 for 10% off at ShottyGear.com

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates – Heavy-duty, crash-tested crates. Pair with the roll cage for maximum protection. Use code GUARDIAN15 at MammothPet.com/Guardian

Flight Day Ammunition – steel loads that hit hard. Check them out at FlightDayAmmo.com FDH10 Code

Weatherby Shotguns – From the Element 2 to the Orion and 18i series, reliable performance for every hunt. Browse the lineup at Weatherby.com

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In this listener-driven Q&A episode, Elliott dives into some of the most debated topics in waterfowling today. He talks about why blue-wing teal are still hanging around Kansas later than normal, whether spinners should stay in the spread through November, how to fairly handle “who shot what” in group hunts, and if leaving headlamps in a hole to hold your spot crosses the line. Packed with practical hunting insight, laughs, and candid thoughts from the live Patreon stream — this one’s all about real duck talk with the North American Waterfowler community.

Flight Day Ammunition – https://www.flightdayammo.com

Weatherby Shotguns – https://www.weatherby.com

TideWe – https://www.tidewe.com

Shotty Gear – https://www.shottygear.com

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates – Search Mammoth Guardian Dog Crate on Amazon Code GUARDIAN15 for 15% off

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

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