In this episode, I break down the latest Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks meeting and what it means for waterfowl hunters.

We get into the decision to move to a 3 pintail limit, the science behind compensatory vs additive mortality, and why increasing the limit may not impact the population the way many hunters think.

I also dive into the growing pressure from non-resident hunters in Kansas, the proposed midday hunting restrictions, and what a future draw system could look like.

On top of that, I address a recent comment and talk about the current state of the waterfowl community and why things feel more divided than ever right now.

If you care about where waterfowl hunting is headed, this is an important conversation.

Contact:
[email protected]

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Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates

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In this solo episode, I sit down with my Patreon crew for a live Q&A and cover a wide range of topics from duck hunting strategy to gear, pressure, and real world experiences in the field.

We get into the spinner vs water motion debate, how I pack for out of state hunts, decoy spread differences on big water vs small water, and the reality of public land pressure. I also share thoughts on non resident hunting regulations, what I’m seeing across Kansas, and what might be coming next.

On top of that, we dive into dog training resources, gear that actually makes a difference, and answer a bunch of listener questions from Patreon, Instagram, and Facebook.

If you’re serious about freelance duck hunting and want honest answers without the fluff, this one’s for you.

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

Weatherby Shotguns
https://www.weatherby.com

Shotty Gear
https://www.shottygear.com

TideWe
https://www.tidewe.com

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

Want to join the live Q&As, get your questions answered first, and be part of the conversation?

https://patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting

For partnerships or inquiries:

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Contact Elliott: [email protected]

Join Elliott on Patreon: www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting

Elliott sits down with Matt Zavlonek of High Prairie Sportsman to break down the past waterfowl season from start to finish.

They dive into warm winters, changing bird patterns, and what hunters are seeing across multiple states including Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, and beyond.

This episode covers everything from mountain hunts and Salt Lake teal shoots to the deeper reason why we keep going back to the marsh.

If you’ve been wondering what’s really going on with duck seasons lately, this is one you’ll want to hear.

This episode is brought to you by:

Code NAW18

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This episode turned into a full blown shooting breakdown with Scott Vix. If you’ve ever struggled hitting birds, especially that first shot, this one is for you.

We get into the fundamentals most hunters never actually learn. Proper gun mount, where your eyes should be, how to move with the bird, and why so many guys miss even when they’re doing everything they think is right.

I also walk through my own shooting struggles this season and where things started falling apart, especially when hunting in groups. Scott gives real world advice that applies directly to duck hunting, not just the clay range.

If you want to become a more consistent shooter this season, this episode will help.

Partners:

Shotty Gear → https://www.shottygear.com (Code: FDH10)

Patreon:

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If you want more content like this and to go deeper into the hunts, join the Patreon.

You’ll get:

This simulated hunt video will be available on Patreon before it goes live on YouTube.

Join here:
https://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting

In this episode, I break down a spring simulated duck hunt that turned into something way more valuable than I expected.

What started as a fun way to get out with the dog and run some retrieves quickly turned into a reminder of just how important offseason scouting really is. From limited bird movement to adjusting on the fly, and ultimately finding a hidden backwater that I had completely overlooked, this hunt reinforced something I’ve believed for a long time.

OnX is a great tool… but it’s not enough.

There is no substitute for boots on the ground, putting in the time, and seeing these places with your own eyes.

I also walk through:

If you’re serious about improving your success this fall, this is the kind of work that separates average hunts from consistently good ones.

As always, I appreciate you being here. If you have thoughts or questions, reach out on Instagram @freelanceduckhunting or @thenorthamericanwaterfowler.

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

Weatherby Shotguns & Rifles
https://www.weatherby.com

TideWe
https://www.tidewe.com

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates

Shotty Gear
https://www.shottygear.com

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Episode Description:

In this episode, I sit down with Missouri farmer and waterfowl hunter Derrick Lindstrom to get a different perspective on some of the challenges in today’s waterfowl world.

We talk through what modern farming looks like, how it impacts habitat, and how that connects to access and hunting pressure.

We also get into:

It’s a good, honest conversation from someone living on the other side of it.

Partners:

This episode is brought to you by:

Flight Day Ammunition

TideWe

Shotty Gear⁠https://www.shottygear.com⁠

Weatherby Shotguns⁠https://www.weatherby.com⁠

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates

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In this episode I break down a recent snow goose hunting weekend with Jake Maxwell and Aiden the Golden Boy, including a field hunt and a couple of classic snow goose stalks. We talk about the strategy behind those hunts, the dog work involved, and why these late season weekends have become one of my favorite traditions.

After that, I respond to some listener comments from recent episodes featuring Dr. Michael Brasher and Dr. Goins. There has been a lot of discussion around duck population surveys, harvest impact, and whether hunters should trust the science behind waterfowl management. I read some of the comments and give my thoughts on the debate.

Finally, I read a letter from a newer waterfowl hunter who had a tense situation unfold on public land involving decoys, a blind, and a confrontation with another hunter. It raises some interesting questions about ethics, etiquette, and how situations like that should be handled.

If you have thoughts on the situation or want to share your own experiences, reach out and let me know.

Flight Day Ammunition
Premium steel loads built for waterfowl hunters.
Visit flightdayammo.com
Discount code: NAW10

Weatherby Shotguns
Reliable shotguns built for the field and marsh.
Learn more at weatherby.com

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates
Durable and secure kennels built to keep your dog safe during travel.
Available on Amazon or at mammothpet.com
Discount code: GUARDIAN15

Shotty Gear
Waterfowl gear built by hunters for hunters.
Shell holders, gun cases, backpacks, and more.
Visit shottygear.com
Discount code: FDH10

TideWe
Affordable outdoor gear including waders, outerwear, blinds, and packs.
Visit tidewe.com
Discount code: NAW18

Contact Elliott: [email protected]

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In this episode I sit down with Dr. Mike Brasher, Senior Waterfowl Scientist for Ducks Unlimited, for a deep dive into one of the most debated topics in waterfowl hunting right now.

Mallard numbers are down, pond counts are below average, and hunters across the country are asking the same question.

Should seasons and limits be reduced?

Dr. Brasher walks us through the science behind duck population surveys, how breeding population estimates are actually conducted, and how Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) determines the frameworks for duck seasons in North America.

We also discuss the ongoing debate about compensatory vs additive mortality, whether harvest is impacting duck populations, how pond counts affect productivity, and why the current regulatory system still supports liberal seasons despite declining mallard numbers.

This conversation covers the full picture of how waterfowl populations are monitored and how hunting regulations are set.

Topics covered include:

• How duck population surveys are conducted

If you want to better understand how duck populations are managed and what the future of waterfowl seasons may look like, this episode is packed with valuable insight.

Partners

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

TideWe
https://www.tidewe.com

Weatherby Shotguns
https://www.weatherby.com

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

Shotty Gear
https://www.shottygear.com

Support the Podcast

If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the show, consider joining the Patreon community. Patreon supporters get access to exclusive content, bonus material, and help make these conversations possible.

Join here:
https://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting

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In this episode, Titus Headings from Mid Valley Mercenaries joins me to talk about where he has been and why he has been absent from YouTube and the MVM Show. We dig into his outstanding duck season, what has changed in his life over the past year, and some deeper conversations about faith and perspective. Titus is a guy I think the world of, and this was a really enjoyable conversation with a good friend.

Partners

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

Weatherby Shotguns
https://www.weatherby.com

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

TideWe
https://www.tidewe.com

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

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