For years I've watched American White Pelicans migrate through Kansas by the thousands and wondered what we really know about them. Where do they come from? How far do they travel? How do they breed? And what exactly are they doing when they're soaring thousands of feet overhead?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Aimee Van Tatenhove, a quantitative ecologist and former pelican researcher whose doctoral work focused on American White Pelicans around the Great Salt Lake. We discuss pelican migration, nesting colonies, feeding behavior, GPS tracking, bird strikes, avian flu, and some of the surprising things scientists have learned by following these birds across North America.

We also dive into the challenges facing the Great Salt Lake, including drought, water management, the proposed data center controversy, and why the future of the lake matters to millions of migratory birds.

Topics discussed:

Whether you're a waterfowl hunter, birder, conservationist, or simply someone who enjoys watching wildlife, this episode offers a fascinating look into one of North America's most remarkable birds.

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In this episode, Elliott sits down with award winning wildlife artists Adam and Madison Grimm for a conversation that quickly becomes much bigger than art.

At just 19 years old, Madison Grimm is leading one of the most unique grassroots conservation efforts in North America. Through her nonprofit, Second Chance Flight, she rescues duck and upland bird eggs that would otherwise be destroyed during spring farming operations. Farmers across South Dakota now call Madison when they discover nests while haying or working fields, giving these birds a second chance at life.

Madison shares how the project began, the challenges of obtaining permits, the process of incubating and raising ducklings, and some of the incredible success stories that have come from the effort. Adam also discusses the role wildlife art plays in conservation and how their family's passion for waterfowl has evolved into a mission to help protect the resource.

This is a positive conservation story that every waterfowler should hear.

To learn more about Second Chance Flight or support their work, visit:
https://www.secondchanceflight.com

Contact Elliott:
[email protected]

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https://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting

Partners:

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

Shotty Gear
https://www.shottygear.com

Weatherby
https://www.weatherby.com

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https://www.mammothpet.com

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https://www.thenorthamericanwaterfowler.com

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Contact Elliott: [email protected]

Support Elliott: patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting

In this solo episode, Elliott dives into how social media algorithms reward outrage, controversy, and conflict while often burying positive content. Using real examples from recent North American Waterfowler reels, he explores why discussions around topics like flooded corn, duck numbers, and harvest management seem to generate so much anger and division.

Elliott also shares the story of his long anticipated fishing trip into the Nebraska Sandhills with Aden. What started as a dream trip quickly turned into muddy water, high winds, a collapsed tent, and tough fishing. Despite the challenges, the experience served as a reminder of what really makes an outdoor adventure worthwhile.

Finally, Elliott breaks down the five traits he believes separate average waterfowl hunters from great ones, including scouting, calling, dog work, concealment, and persistence.

Topics Include:

• Social media and negativity in the waterfowl community

As always, thank you for listening and supporting The North American Waterfowler Podcast. Please leave a rating, review, and share the show with a fellow hunter.

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Spencer Lewis returns to The North American Waterfowler Podcast for a wide ranging conversation on modern waterfowl culture, social media toxicity, public land pressure, hunting ethics, and the future of the waterfowl community. Spencer discusses the launch of his new Facebook group, The Humble Outdoorsman, and why he feels more optimistic and re-energized compared to our last conversation.

We also dive into loud boat culture, respect in the marsh, the challenges facing public land hunters, how online behavior has changed hunting communities, and why so many outdoorsmen seem burned out or frustrated. Along the way we discuss fatherhood, mentorship, social media algorithms, and the importance of maintaining perspective while navigating modern hunting culture.

This episode feels less like an interview and more like two hunters sitting around a fire trying to make sense of where waterfowling is headed.

Presented by:

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

Shotty Gear
https://www.shottygear.com

TideWe
https://www.tidewe.com

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

Weatherby
https://weatherby.com

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Contact Elliott: [email protected]

Support Elliott: Patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting

In this offseason Q&A episode of The North American Waterfowler Podcast, Elliott answers listener questions covering everything from duck population trends and migration patterns to hunt tests, old Freelance Duck Hunting seasons, favorite waterfowl species, El Niño vs La Niña hunting success, and future plans for Georgie’s bloodline.

Elliott also reflects on the evolution of FDH over the years, the changing dynamics of hunting partners and filming, why mallards remain king, and what made Season 3 of Freelance Duck Hunting such a special era. Plus discussion on river goose hunting setups, the Grand, the Master National, and how personal hunting experiences can sometimes distort perceptions of overall duck populations.

Presented by:

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

Shotty Gear
https://www.shottygear.com

TideWe
https://www.tidewe.com

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

Weatherby
https://weatherby.com

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

Contact Elliott: [email protected]

Support the show: Patreon.com/Freelanceduckhunting

Jeff Coats, better known to many as “Pit Boss,” joins the podcast for a deep dive into a lifetime spent chasing ducks, training retrievers, guiding sea duck hunts, and living waterfowl culture since the early days of internet forums and VHS hunting videos. Jeff shares the story of how he went from football dreams and working blue collar jobs to becoming one of the most recognizable names in sea duck hunting on the East Coast.

We discuss the evolution of sea duck hunting, the rise of online waterfowl culture, old school duck boats, guiding on the Atlantic Ocean, close encounters with sharks while hunting, retriever training, AKC hunt tests, field trials, and what it takes to produce high level dogs. Jeff also opens up about the personal experiences that pushed him toward building a life on his own terms through guiding, dogs, and waterfowl hunting.

This episode is packed with stories, history, dog talk, and insight from someone who has truly lived the waterfowl lifestyle for decades.

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

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

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

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In this episode of The North American Waterfowler Podcast, Elliott sits down with Nate Verdin of Falling Tide TV for a wide ranging conversation about family, fatherhood, duck hunting culture, Louisiana marshes, public land, and the deeper reasons hunters stay connected to the outdoors.

The two discuss how becoming fathers changed their perspectives on life, faith, risk, and priorities. They also dive into childhood hunting memories, the emotional connection hunters have with wildlife, and the unique culture surrounding waterfowl hunting across different regions of the country.

Later in the episode, Elliott and Nate revisit the flooded corn conversation, discuss public land pressure, nonresident hunting, and the growing tensions within the waterfowl community.

This is less of a tactics episode and more of an honest conversation about hunting, identity, and the places that shape us.

Partners:
Flight Day Ammunition
https://www.flightdayammo.com
Code: NAW10

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

Weatherby
https://www.weatherby.com

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

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates
Search Mammoth Guardian Dog Crate on Amazon or visit:
https://www.mammothpet.com

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

Contact:
[email protected]

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Support the Show: Patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting

Contact Elliott: [email protected]

On this episode of The North American Waterfowler Podcast, Elliott is joined once again by good friend and host of the Migration Waterfowl Podcast, Brian Halbleib. The two sit down for a wide ranging conversation covering everything from duck hunting adventures and prairie marshes to family life, nonresident hunting pressure, and even the world of First Amendment auditors.

Brian talks about the emotional transition of becoming an empty nester as his daughters begin careers and move out of state. The conversation then shifts into law enforcement and public filming rights as Elliott asks Brian, a police sergeant, about the growing trend of First Amendment auditors filming inside public buildings.

From there the guys dive deep into waterfowl hunting, including Saskatchewan mallard hunts, hidden marshes loaded with ducks, the Gear Roost storage system, travel hunting, Kansas nonresident regulations, scouting strategies, and how perspectives on waterfowl pressure evolve over time.

This is one of those classic long form conversations that feels more like sitting around camp with friends than a formal interview.

Partners:
Flight Day Ammunition
http://www.flightdayammo.com
Code: NAW10

Shotty Gear
http://www.shottygear.com
Code: FDH10

Weatherby
http://weatherby.com

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

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates
https://mammothpet.com

Patreon:
Patreon.com/FreelanceDuckHunting

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On this episode of The North American Waterfowler Podcast, I give an update on recovering my YouTube channel after being hacked, talk about spending the day training with Chris Jobman and Georgie at Habitat Flats, and share details about an upcoming remote Nebraska fishing trip that I cannot stop thinking about.

I also break down some of my favorite pieces of waterfowl gear and equipment that truly stand out from the rest including decoys, jackets, motors, ammo, backpacks and more.

Topics include:

• Recovering the Freelance Duck Hunting YouTube channel
• Training dogs with Chris Jobman
• Georgie’s hunt test journey
• Upcoming Nebraska fishing trip
• AI data center concerns at the Great Salt Lake
• My favorite waterfowl gear and products

Join the Patreon community:
Patreon.com/FreelanceDuckHunting

Contact:
[email protected]

Partners:

TideWe
Code: FDH18

Flight Day Ammunition
www.flightdayammo.com
Code: NAW10

Shotty Gear
www.shottygear.com
Code: FDH10

Weatherby
www.weatherby.com

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates
Mammoth Pet Products

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

Contact Elliott: [email protected]

Get More Content: patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting

This episode starts off all over the map in the best way possible. Elliott and Ben Meyers talk Royals baseball, shotgun issues, pattern testing, Flight Day Ammo loads, and why educated ducks become nearly impossible to finish late in the season. Ben breaks down why certain loads outperform others, the differences between 20 gauge and 12 gauge setups, and what he learned after switching back from bismuth to steel.

The conversation then shifts into private land duck management, flooded corn, refuge systems, duck pressure, and how heavily hunted birds adapt to survive. Ben also shares details about a brand new blind project going in on one of their favorite timber holes and explains how years of water management can slowly “imprint” ducks onto a property.

If you enjoy deep waterfowl conversation mixed with real hunting experience and honest opinions, this is a fun one.

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

TideWe
https://www.tidewe.com

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