The North American Waterfowler

In this episode of the North American Waterfowler Podcast, Elliott sits down with longtime Pacific Flyway duck hunter John Oliver to discuss the changing world of waterfowl hunting, the traditions that shaped the sport, and what it really means to be a successful duck hunter.

John shares stories from his childhood growing up around the duck shacks of the Lower Columbia River, learning from his grandfather and a generation of hunters whose experiences stretched back to the early 1900s. From wooden duck boats and traditional hunting equipment to modern technology and satellite imagery, Elliott and John explore how waterfowl hunting has evolved over the decades.

The conversation also covers hunting pressure, declining duck populations, social media, instant gratification, the importance of hunting harder, and why today's hunters sometimes measure success differently than previous generations.

Along the way, the discussion moves beyond duck hunting into family, faith, changing cultural values, and the experiences that shape who we become.

It's a wide-ranging conversation about waterfowl hunting's past, present, and future, and why the experience of hunting means so much more than the number of birds on the strap.

North American Waterfowler Podcast Partners

OnX Hunt – Mapping, scouting, and navigation tools for hunters.
https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt

Flight Day Ammunition – Premium steel waterfowl ammunition. Use code NAW10 for 10% off.
https://flightdayammo.com

Slayer Duck Calls – Premium duck calls and the Call of the Wild calling course.
https://slayercalls.com

Shotty Gear – Waterfowl hunting gear, gun cases, shell pouches, and backpacks. Use code FDH10 for 10% off.
https://shottygear.com

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates – Heavy-duty dog crates designed for protection and safe transportation.

Retay Shotguns – Innovative shotguns built for hunters.
https://retayusa.com

TideWe – Waders, heated hunting apparel, blinds, and outdoor equipment. Use code NAW18 for 18% off.
https://www.tidewe.com

Thanks for listening to the North American Waterfowler Podcast!

Questions, comments, or ideas for future episodes? Reach out at [email protected].

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How much does wind REALLY affect duck hunting success? We dug into the numbers from 8,406 hunts logged in the North American Waterfowler App, and the results might surprise you!

In this episode, Elliott recaps an exhausting Halloween duck hunt that included miserable mosquitoes, a brutal walk through thick vegetation, ducks that refused to finish, and some interesting experiments with spinning-wing decoys. After a long day in the marsh, was the effort worth it?

We also dive into three major topics:

Wind and Duck Hunting Success — We compare harvest averages across calm, light, strong, and heavy wind conditions. Just how much better is duck hunting when the wind picks up?

Scouting New Duck Hunting Areas — Elliott explains his process for scouting unfamiliar public land using onX Hunt, Google Earth, historical satellite imagery, and boots-on-the-ground scouting.

When Your Hunting Partners Don't Match Your Effort — What do you do when you're willing to walk farther, scout harder, and make adjustments, but your hunting buddies aren't? Is it time to find new partners or start hunting alone?

Plus, a little music, some laughs, and another look into the realities of public land duck hunting.

onX Hunt
https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates
Search Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates on Amazon.

Shotty Gear
https://shottygear.com
Use code FDH10 for 10% off.

Slayer Duck Calls
https://slayercalls.com

Flight Day Ammunition
https://flightdayammo.com
Use code NAW10 for 10% off.

RETAY USA
https://retayusa.com

Download the North American Waterfowler App on iOS or Android to track your hunts and explore waterfowl hunting statistics.

Become a Patreon member for live podcast access, exclusive content, and access to the NAW App:
https://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting

Subscribe to Freelance Duck Hunting on YouTube for the full hunting adventures!

If you enjoy the North American Waterfowler Podcast, please leave us a rating and review and share the show with your hunting buddies.

#DuckHunting #WaterfowlHunting #PublicLandDuckHunting #NorthAmericanWaterfowler #DuckHuntingPodcast #onXHunt

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Is Ohio Really That Bad for Duck Hunting? | NAW Podcast Ep. 313

What's it really like to hunt ducks in Ohio? And what happens when someone discovers waterfowl hunting later in life and becomes completely obsessed?

In this episode of The North American Waterfowler Podcast, Elliott sits down with Patreon member Jordan Virzi, a fourth-year waterfowl hunter from Ohio.

Jordan shares how a hunting trip to Missouri introduced him to the sport, the challenges of finding ducks on Ohio public land, and how he's working to become a better hunter through scouting, traveling, and learning from experience.

They also discuss the differences between hunting Ohio and Kansas, dealing with hunting pressure, balancing an obsession with duck hunting and family life, and why some of the most memorable hunts have very little to do with how many ducks you shoot.

Before the interview, Elliott talks about his upcoming duck hunting camping trip, avoiding opening weekend crowds, and how unusually high water levels have complicated his scouting and hunting plans.

PARTNERS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN WATERFOWLER PODCAST

onX Hunt — Presenting Sponsor
The ultimate mapping and scouting tool for waterfowl hunters.
https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates
Protect your hunting dog with the Mammoth Guardian kennel and roll cage attachment.

Shotty Gear
Waterproof hunting bags, gun cases, backpacks, and more.
https://shottygear.com
Promo Code: FDH10 — 10% Off

Flight Day Ammunition
Maximum Payload Steel ammunition.
https://flightdayammo.com
Promo Code: NAW10 — 10% Off

Slayer Calls
Premium duck calls and calling instruction through Call to the Wild.
https://slayercalls.com

TideWe
Waders, hunting blinds, apparel, and outdoor gear.
https://www.tidewe.com
Promo Code: NAW18 — 18% Off

RETAY Shotguns
Check out the ACE-R lineup and other RETAY shotguns.
https://www.retayusa.com

CONNECT WITH US

Freelance Duck Hunting on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@FreelanceDuckHunting

Email: [email protected]

Thanks for listening to The North American Waterfowler Podcast!

Fix the Shotty Gear promo codeClarify the opening weekend reference

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In this episode of the North American Waterfowler Podcast, I'm taking a look at the first quarter of my 2026 duck season, sharing my personal hunting statistics, and comparing them with the numbers being recorded by hunters across North America.

We've now logged 578 hunts in the North American Waterfowler App, and some of the numbers are pretty interesting, especially when it comes to hunter pressure. Is public land really as overcrowded as everyone says it is?

I also discuss the frustratingly warm October weather, the lack of cold fronts, and when we can finally expect mosquitoes to disappear. Plus, I share a story from this weekend's Josh Garrels concert in Lawrence, Kansas, and how I first discovered his music.

Finally, I get into five ethical considerations every public land duck hunter should think about. From overcrowding and setting up too close to other hunters to sky busting, arriving at the marsh right before shooting time, and leaving trash behind, these are things that can make or break a hunt for everyone.

In This Episode:

Track your hunts, harvests, shooting percentages, hunter pressure, hunt satisfaction, and more.

https://thenorthamericanwaterfowler.com

Available on iOS and Android for $4.99/month. Access is also included with the $5 Patreon membership.

onX Hunt — Presenting Sponsor
https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt

Retay Shotguns
https://www.retayusa.com

Slayer Duck Calls
https://www.slayercalls.com

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates
Available on Amazon — Search Mammoth Guardian Dog Crate

Flight Day Ammunition
https://flightdayammo.com
Promo Code: NAW10 — 10% Off

Shotty Gear
https://shottygear.com
Promo Code: FDH10

TideWe
https://www.tidewe.com
Promo Code: NAW18

Join us on Patreon for live podcast recordings, exclusive content, and access to the North American Waterfowler App.

https://www.patreon.com/naw

If you enjoy the podcast, please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It really helps the show reach more waterfowl hunters.

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Contact Elliott: [email protected]

Support the Show: Patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting

onX Hunt – Presenting Sponsor
https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app
GPS hunting maps, property boundaries, scouting tools, and offline navigation.

Retay Shotguns
https://www.retayusa.com
Innovative, reliable shotguns built for hunters.

Slayer Duck Calls
https://www.slayercalls.com
Premium duck and goose calls for waterfowl hunters.

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates
Heavy-duty dog crates designed for protection and safe transportation.
Available through Mammoth Pet Products on Amazon.
No promo code.

Flight Day Ammunition
https://flightdayammo.com
Premium steel and bismuth waterfowl ammunition.
Use promo code NAW10.

Shotty Gear
https://shottygear.com
Waterproof hunting gear, shell pouches, gun cases, and accessories.
Use promo code FDH10.

TideWe
https://www.tidewe.com
Hunting waders, clothing, blinds, and outdoor equipment.
Use promo code NAW18.

A great duck hunt can turn into a frustrating one when your shooting goes sideways. Jordan Fromer joins Elliott for an honest conversation about working through a shooting slump, why the 20-gauge has become his go-to, and what it’s really like to make a living in the waterfowl world. They get into the tradeoffs between 12-, 20- and 28-gauge shotguns and the .410, including why disciplined shot selection matters. Jordan shares practical ways to rebuild muscle memory and confidence in the field, while Elliott talks about the mental side of shooting—and how hunting in a big group can make it harder to know what’s working. They also discuss how OnX changed scouting and navigation, the demands of full-time outdoor content creation, and the gear they’ve been using this season. Along the way, they swap stories from recent hunts, including tough walks, high winds, and the pull of traveling to find birds. If you’re a waterfowler interested in better shooting, thoughtful gear choices, and the realities of a season spent chasing ducks, this episode is for you.

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Duck Camp Conversations: Live from the Wall Tent

Three days of duck hunting, good friends, and plenty of stories from duck camp!

In this episode of the North American Waterfowler Podcast, we're doing things a little differently. Instead of recording from the usual studio, we're sitting down inside our wall tent during a three-day duck hunting trip.

We talk about our time in the field, the hunting, the challenges, and everything that makes spending a few days at duck camp so enjoyable. There's nothing quite like getting together with fellow waterfowlers after a day in the marsh to talk ducks, tell stories, and enjoy the experience.

Pull up a chair and join us for a conversation straight from duck camp!

Support the North American Waterfowler Podcast

A huge thank you to our partners who help make this podcast possible!

Presenting Sponsor – onX Hunt
Plan your hunts, scout new locations, and navigate the outdoors with confidence.
https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt

Retay Shotguns
Innovative shotguns built for serious waterfowl hunters.
https://www.retayusa.com

Slayer Duck Calls
Premium duck calls designed for waterfowl hunters.
https://www.slayercalls.com

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates
Premium protection for your hunting partner.

Flight Day Ammunition
Ammunition built for waterfowl hunters.
Use code NAW at checkout.

Shotty Gear
Gear and apparel for the waterfowling lifestyle.
Use code FDH10 at checkout.

Join the North American Waterfowler Community

Become a member and enjoy exclusive content, live podcast recordings, giveaways, and more!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting

North American Waterfowler App:
https://www.thenorthamericanwaterfowler.com

Thanks for listening, and we'll see you in the marsh!

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In this episode of the North American Waterfowler Podcast, I'm joined by returning guest Scott Vix, a longtime California waterfowler, former California State Duck Calling Champion, and three-time regional calling champion.

Scott brings decades of experience to a conversation about the art of duck calling and what it really takes to consistently work and finish ducks.

We discuss some of the biggest mistakes duck hunters make with their calls, how to read birds and adjust your calling strategies, when to get aggressive versus when to back off, and how to convince reluctant ducks to finish in the decoys. We also explore calling with multiple hunters, the differences between competitive calling styles, and how to choose the right duck call.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced duck hunter, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you become a more effective caller.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST & GET BONUS CONTENT

Join us on Patreon for live podcast recordings, exclusive content, and more!

https://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting

OUR PARTNERS

onX Hunt – Proud sponsor of the North American Waterfowler Podcast.

https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt

Retay Shotguns – Innovative shotguns built for hunters.

https://www.retayusa.com

Slayer Duck Calls – Premium duck calls for serious waterfowl hunters.

https://www.slayercalls.com

TideWe – Hunting blinds, waders, and outdoor gear.

https://www.tidewe.com

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates – Premium protection for your hunting dog.

Flight Day Ammunition – Ammunition for waterfowl hunters.

Use code NAW

Shotty Gear – Waterfowl hunting apparel and gear.

Use code FDH10

FOLLOW & CONNECT

YouTube: Freelance Duck Hunting

Podcast: North American Waterfowler

Email: [email protected]

#DuckHunting #DuckCalling #WaterfowlHunting #DuckHuntingPodcast #NorthAmericanWaterfowler

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

Contact Elliott: [email protected]

Support the Show: patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting

On this episode of the North American Waterfowler Podcast, I’m joined by Hunter Flanders, Director of Marketing for Retay Shotguns.

This isn’t an infomercial. We spend most of the episode getting to know Hunter and the path that eventually led him into the outdoor industry.

Hunter grew up in Wisconsin as a serious athlete and went on to play college basketball before transitioning away from sports and diving headfirst into hunting and the outdoors. We talk about growing up in Wisconsin, his family’s 200-year-old farm, hunting with his brothers, training his first retriever, the impact hunting had on him during some major changes in his life, and how he eventually turned his passion for the outdoors into a career.

We also get into his years working in outdoor television, his transition into marketing, how he eventually landed at Retay, the evolution of Retay shotguns, the Ace and Ace R, and why whitetail hunting still ranks at the top of his list.

A great conversation about hunting, family, dogs, careers, and building a life around the outdoors.

NORTH AMERICAN WATERFOWLER PARTNERS

Retay Shotguns
https://retayusa.com

Flight Day Ammunition
https://flightdayammo.com
Code: NAW10 for 10% off

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates
https://mammothpet.com

Shotty Gear
https://shottygear.com
Code: FDH10 for 10% off

Slayer Duck Calls
https://slayercalls.com

TideWe
https://www.tidewe.com
Code: NAW18 for 18% off

WATCH THE PODCAST LIVE

Become a Patreon member and watch North American Waterfowler episodes recorded live:
https://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting

One thing I caught from your intro: you said NAW10 for Flight Day and NAW18 for TideWe, so I used those current codes rather than the older NAW/other versions we’ve had in past partner info.

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Patreon hunt giveaway winner Walter Brown joins me from duck camp after spending the Big Duck Opener hunting with us. We recorded this episode right from our campsite overlooking the marsh after a great day that ended with a limit of ducks.

Walter and I talk about winning the Patreon hunt giveaway and how the trip came together, his history of hunting and fishing, and his years of experience training dogs and hunting with pointing Labs. We also break down our opening-day hunt, the birds we encountered, and how the morning unfolded.

A laid-back conversation from duck camp after a great day in the marsh.

Partners of the North American Waterfowler Podcast:

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In this episode of the North American Waterfowler Podcast, Elliott sits down with Matt and Joe from the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary to explore the incredible life and legacy of Jack Miner.

From his beginnings as a market hunter to establishing his waterfowl sanctuary in Kingsville, Ontario, Jack Miner's story became intertwined with the early history of waterfowl conservation and bird banding in North America.

We hear the story of Katie, the black duck that helped launch Miner's banding efforts, how band recoveries provided information about waterfowl migration, the growth of the sanctuary, and how Jack Miner's work continues more than a century later.

Matt and Joe also take us inside the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary today, including its bird banding, habitat work, education programs, and new technology being used to track waterfowl migration.

Learn more about the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Foundation:
jackminer.ca

50 Ducks:
50ducks.com

PARTNERS

onX Hunt
https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt

Retay Shotguns
https://retayusa.com

TideWe
https://www.tidewe.com
Promo Code: NAW18 — 18% off

Slayer Duck Calls
https://slayercalls.com

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates
Search Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates on Amazon

Flight Day Ammunition
https://flightdayammo.com
Promo Code: NAW10 — 10% off

Shotty Gear
https://shottygear.com
Promo Code: FDH10

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