In this episode, I break down my entire duck season using logged hunt data from start to finish. I split the season into early, mid, and late segments and walk through harvest totals, shooting percentages, shots per hunt, satisfaction ratings, and species breakdowns for each phase of the year.

Early season covers September 1 through October 31 and was dominated by blue wing teal and gadwall with high efficiency and solid satisfaction. Mid season runs November 1 through December 15 and shifted heavily into mallards, with more pressure, lower shooting percentages, and reduced satisfaction. Late season spans December 16 through close and became a mallard focused grind with more shots per hunt, higher difficulty, but improved satisfaction when things came together.

I then zoom out to the full season totals, including 37 hunts, 129 ducks harvested, 239 shots fired, a 57.322 percent shooting percentage, and an average hunt satisfaction of 6.51. I also break down species totals across the entire season.

Using those stats, I outline five offseason wants for 2026. These include TideWe heated gloves, the Lucky Twin Pack 2.0 mallard spinning wing decoys, the Higdon Pulsator PRO drake and hen combo, shotgun and ammo changes including 18i 5s, Muller choke considerations, and a possible move to a 20 gauge Weatherby Sorix. The final offseason want is a bigger motor, upgrading from a 35 horsepower surface drive with a goal of reaching upper teens speed when fully loaded.

This episode is a full season review driven by real data and a clear look at what I am changing heading into next year.

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

Weatherby
https://www.weatherby.com

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

TideWe
https://www.tidewe.com

Shotty Gear
https://www.shottygear.com

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

In this episode of The North American Waterfowler Podcast, Elliott sits down with Michael Flaspohler, Kale Flaspohler, and Dan Crigler from the Waterfowl Management Academy to talk about one of the most overlooked drivers of duck numbers: spring habitat.

The discussion breaks down moist soil versus flooded corn, why invertebrates are critical during spring migration, and how water depth, timing, and habitat diversity directly impact duck production. With decades of experience managing public and private wetlands across Missouri and the Mississippi Flyway, the Waterfowl Management Academy team explains how spring habitat determines how many ducks make it back to the breeding grounds in good condition.

They also introduce the Spring Habitat Campaign and explain how private landowners, hunters, and supporters can play a role in improving habitat during the most important season of the year.

Learn more about the Waterfowl Management Academy and their spring habitat resources at
https://www.waterfowlmanagement.com

Spring Habitat Campaign shirts support Ducks Unlimited, with proceeds helping fund habitat work on the breeding grounds.

Support the podcast and get access to exclusive content, livestreams, and giveaways by joining Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting

Podcast Partners

TideWe
https://www.tidewe.com

NAW18 for 18% off

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

Weatherby Shotguns
https://www.weatherby.com

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

Shotty Gear
https://www.shottygear.com

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

In this episode I wrap up the 2025–26 waterfowl season and break down my final numbers, including harvest totals, shooting percentage, and what made this my second best season ever. I recap my final hunt of the year in brutal cold, ice hole mallards, and some absolutely unreal dog work that capped the season the right way.

I also answer listener questions pulled from Instagram, covering topics like finding open water during deep freezes, boat choices for marshes and reservoirs, teal decoy setups, off season plans, and whether marshes or reservoirs are more enjoyable to hunt.

Finally, I dig into a topic I keep hearing over and over. Is duck hunting really being “ruined”? By social media, guides, influencers, or pressure. I give my honest take based on decades in the field and why effort still matters more than anything else.

If you’re wondering what to do now that the season is over, how to stay sharp in the off season, or you just enjoy honest waterfowl talk, this one’s for you.

As always, thanks for listening and supporting the North American Waterfowler podcast.

Partners:

Shotty Gear

Flight Day Ammunition

TideWe

Weatherby Shotguns

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates

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

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

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

Episode Description

In this episode, Elliott sits down with Chris Jobman for a wide ranging late season conversation that hits everything from weather driven duck movement to why some regions see more bands than others. They talk about the hunt giveaway crew, band stories, and the wild odds of killing two mallard pintail hybrids in the same spot just days apart.

They also dig into habitat and food. Millet versus corn. Imprinting birds on a new marsh. Why ducks shortstop when conditions stay warm. Then they tackle the flooded corn debate head on, including the claim that it stops migration and the argument that it is baiting. Chris gives his take and Elliott adds perspective from Kansas and the Central Flyway.

To wrap it up, Chris answers a listener question about force fetching a soft dog and why training the owner is often harder than training the dog.

If you want to watch these recordings live and be part of the chat, join the Patreon community.

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

Weatherby Shotguns
https://www.weatherby.com

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

Shotty Gear
https://www.shottygear.com
Discount Code FDH10

TideWe
https://www.tidewe.com

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

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.

TideWe

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates

Shotty Gear

Flight Day Ammunition

Weatherby Shotguns

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

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.

Flight Day Ammunition
https://www.flightdayammo.com
Code: FDH10 for 10 percent off
High quality steel loads with excellent patterns and consistent performance.

Weatherby
https://www.weatherby.com
From the Element series to the 18i and Orion shotguns, Weatherby continues to deliver reliable firearms for waterfowl and beyond.

Shotty Gear
https://www.shottygear.com
Code: FDH10
Shell pouches, blind bags, backpacks, gun cases, and rugged gear built by hunters for hunters.

TideWe
https://www.tidewe.com
Code: NAW18 for 18 percent off
Waders, blinds, rain gear, and waterfowl equipment that continues to improve in quality and durability.

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates
Search “Mammoth dog crate” on Amazon
Durable crates designed to keep your dog safe without the high price tag of premium brands. Roll cage attachment sold separately.

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.

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

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

Weatherby

Mammoth Pet Products

Shotty Gear

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

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
https://www.flightdayammo.com

Weatherby Shotguns
https://www.weatherby.com

TideWe
https://www.tidewe.com

Use Code: FDH18

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

Shotty Gear
https://www.shottygear.com

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

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

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

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.

Shotty Gear
Waterproof, durable hunting gear built by hunters for hunters. From shell pouches to blind bags and packs, Shotty Gear is designed to take abuse and keep working.
https://www.shottygear.com
Use code FDH10 for 10 percent off

Flight Day Ammunition
Premium steel waterfowl loads designed for consistent patterns and clean kills. I run Flight Day shells all season and trust them when it matters.
https://www.flightdayammo.com
Use code FDH10 for 10 percent off

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates
A rugged, affordable dog crate system with an optional steel roll cage for added protection in the truck bed. A great option without paying premium crate prices.
https://www.mammothpetproducts.com
Use code GUARDIAN15 for 15 percent off

TIDEWE
Affordable and functional waterfowl gear including heated vests, jackets, waders, and ground blinds. Perfect for cold late season hunts when layering matters.
https://www.tidewe.com
Use code FDH18 for 18 percent off

Weatherby
Reliable shotguns built for hunters who actually use their gear. From the Element series to the Orion and SORIX, Weatherby continues to deliver field proven performance.
https://www.weatherby.com

Episode DescriptionPodcast Partners

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