In this episode of The North American Waterfowl Podcast, Elliott sits down with Harrison Collins of Hark Outdoors to talk North American waterfowl, chasing birds across the flyways, and the idea behind pursuing all 41 species. Harrison shares his path into waterfowl hunting, from not growing up hunting at all to traveling for ducks, hunting Arkansas public land, and building a product that celebrates the full spectrum of North American waterfowl.

They dig into public land pressure, Arkansas timber hunts, migration struggles, dog work, and why the 41 species goal resonates with so many hunters. This conversation is about the culture of waterfowl hunting, the memories behind the birds, and finding meaningful ways to remember the hunts that matter.

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In this episode, Elliott covers a wide range of topics including recent YouTube warnings related to hunting content and why more of his best videos are being moved to Patreon. He shares honest thoughts on the current state of social media, addresses claims about toxicity within the waterfowl community, and explains why he believes social media itself is the real issue.

Elliott also reflects on his most recent hunting decisions, the importance of small group and solo hunts, and how filming allows him to relive meaningful moments from the season. He discusses a major video project he is working on that captures his entire waterfowl season in one compilation.

Additional topics include Kansas commission discussions around potential non resident hunting restrictions and Elliott’s thoughts on what changes may realistically be coming.

To wrap up the episode, Elliott introduces a brand new feature on The North American Waterfowler app and website called Ask Elliott. This tool pulls from every episode of the podcast to answer waterfowl related questions based on years of recorded experience and conversations.

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The North American Waterfowler App and Website
https://www.thenorthamericanwaterfowler.com
Log hunts, track birds, connect with friends, and now use the Ask Elliott feature which pulls answers from every podcast episode.

Patreon Exclusive Content and Hunt Giveaways
https://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting
Access Patreon only hunts, full length videos, live podcast recordings, giveaways, and a strong waterfowl community.

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In this episode, Elliott sits down with Spencer Lewis, better known as The Wetland Gypsy, for an honest and wide ranging conversation about modern waterfowl hunting, social media, and changing priorities.

Spencer shares the origin of the Wetland Gypsy name, his upbringing in Texas, and how he found hunting without growing up in a traditional hunting family. He walks through his early days duck hunting out of a canoe, buying his first boat, and how traveling the Central Flyway completely reshaped his understanding of waterfowl hunting.

The conversation dives into Spencer’s unexpected rise on TikTok through viral mudboat videos, how social media changed the way he hunted, and why constant pressure, competition, and ego within the waterfowl space have started to drain the joy from the sport. Elliott and Spencer talk candidly about hunting pressure, OnX, traveling hunters, public versus private land, and why it feels harder every year to simply find birds.

They also discuss fatherhood, shifting priorities, and why Spencer is intentionally stepping back from being known as a waterfowl influencer. The episode closes with thoughts on respect for the resource, ethics, humility in hunting, and what really matters as seasons and stages of life change.

This is a thoughtful conversation about ducks, identity, family, and what happens when passion meets burnout.

Podcast Partners

TideWe

Flight Day Ammunition

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Mammoth Pet Products

Shotty Gear

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Podcast Description

This episode was recorded during an active duck hunt. Between flights and shots, I kept the mics rolling and captured the hunt as it unfolded in real time.

In this episode, you will hear ducks being shot while the conversation continues. I walk through what I carry with me while hunting, go through my blind bag piece by piece, and give a real world update on the Cruchanator 2000. There is no studio, no pause button, and no cleanup. Just hunting, talking, and letting the morning play out naturally.

This is a raw, in the field episode recorded exactly where the hunt was happening.

Partners and Links

Flight Day Ammunition
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Weatherby Shotguns
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TideWe
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This episode is a mix of two things. A full recap of a killer Christmas weekend with Stormy Crook and Aiden, and then a real talk discussion on using treats in retriever training.

I start with why a simple comment I left on a Facebook video turned into a bigger conversation. The video showed a young pup being sent to a place board using treats, and I explain why I personally avoid treats with average to high drive retrievers. I get into intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation, why I want my dog working for the relationship and teamwork, and why I believe that foundation matters later when you are asking a dog to trust you on blinds and fight factors like wind and pressure. I am also going to ask Chris Jobman about this directly on the Flatlander Kennels Podcast, and I am open to being corrected.

Before we get to that, I take you through one of my favorite stretches of the year, Christmas break, Mallard season, and the obsessive nature of waterfowl hunting. Then I break down an unforgettable weekend hosting Stormy and Aiden. We hunted hard, dealt with ice, ran the boat where other guys could not, and ended up with back to back three man Mallard limits with a bunch of feet down finishes. It was one of those rare weekends where expectations were low, the hunts were incredible, and everything came together. Wives had a great weekend too, and the new muck room got put to use the way it was meant to be used.

Partners

Shotty Gear

TideWe

Flight Day Ammunition

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crate / Mammoth Pet Products

Weatherby Shotguns

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In this episode of The North American Waterfowler Podcast, I’m joined by Austin Williams, a Missouri waterfowler who was randomly selected from Patreon to come on the show. These Patreon wheel episodes have become some of my favorites because they’re simple, honest conversations with everyday waterfowlers who live this life just like the rest of us.

We talk about the recent Hunt Giveaway weekend, ice eaters, cold mornings, stubborn ducks, and how these trips have become about much more than just killing birds. I also reflect a bit on how waterfowl hunting, fellowship, and faith have helped me weather a very difficult couple of years and why these weekends in the blind matter more than ever.

If you’ve ever wondered what the Patreon community is really about, this episode gives you a clear picture. It’s not just content. It’s friendships, shared experiences, and time spent doing what we all love.

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Flight Day Ammunition
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Weatherby
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Episode DescriptionPodcast Partners

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Episode Description

In this episode, I’m joined by Capt. Casey, Ben Meyers from Flight Day Ammunition, and Brian Halblieb, host of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast. We spent the weekend together at an Airbnb for a hunt giveaway weekend after Casey was drawn as the winner.

We break down both Day 1 and Day 2 of the hunt, what conditions were like, how the birds worked, and how the weekend unfolded from camp conversations to the field. We talk about adjustments, success, and the moments that made this hunt memorable.

We were able to shoot full limits over the two days, and Casey capped off the weekend by shooting a banded mallard. This episode is part hunt recap, part camp talk, and a good look at what these giveaway weekends are really like behind the scenes.

Flight Day Ammunition

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Website
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Discount Code

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Partner

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Join Elliott Snider and returning guest Jordan Fromer for a wide open conversation covering everything from tech troubles and early-season memories to Jordan’s incredible ice hole streak in Indiana. Jordan breaks down why this cold snap has produced some of his best mallard hunts ever, how he scouts fast flowing rivers, and what’s behind the sudden push of ducks into his state. Elliott and Jordan also react to the bizarre Utah scenes Matt Zavonic has been reporting, including driveway corn piles, domesticated ducks, discarded birds, and a mysterious caged animal left at a WMA. The two discuss ethics in the field, band stories, river access laws, duck behavior during freeze lines, and why fresh birds make all the difference. A fun, honest, hunt-heavy episode with plenty of laughs and solid waterfowl insight.

Flight Day Ammunition

Weatherby

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates

Shotty Gear

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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
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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
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Weatherby Shotguns
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Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates
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Shotty Gear
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