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
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Weatherby Shotguns
Reliable shotguns built for the field and marsh.
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Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates
Durable and secure kennels built to keep your dog safe during travel.
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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.
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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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Since my recent conversation with Josh Goins, there’s been a lot of debate about duck numbers, hunting pressure, flooded corn, and the Adaptive Harvest Management system. In this episode, I step back from the noise, dig into the actual data, and explain what I’ve learned.

We break down how AHM works, why seasons have remained liberal despite declining mallard numbers, and what the science says about additive vs compensatory mortality. I also compare current duck populations and prairie pond conditions to long-term averages and historic drought years to put today’s numbers into context.

I’ll also revisit my recent reel about ducks going nocturnal around flooded corn and discuss what we actually know — and don’t know — about its impact on migration.

Finally, I tease an upcoming Patreon-only livestream interview with Dr. Mike Brasher, Chief Scientist at Ducks Unlimited, where we’ll go even deeper into habitat, harvest management, and the future of waterfowl hunting.

This episode is about facts, context, and understanding — not outrage.

Flight Day Ammunition

Premium bismuth loads built specifically for waterfowl hunters. Reliable performance and clean kills.

Use code NAW10
https://www.flightdayammo.com

TideWe

Affordable, dependable hunting gear built for real conditions. Waders, blinds, backpacks, apparel, and more.

Use code NAW18
https://www.tidewe.com

Weatherby

High-performance shotguns trusted by serious waterfowl hunters. Built for reliability, durability, and performance in harsh conditions.

https://www.weatherby.com

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates

Heavy-duty aluminum crates designed to keep your dog safe in the field and on the road.

Use code GUARDIAN15
Search “Mammoth dog crate” on Amazon or visit the Mammoth Pet Products store

Shotty Gear

Rugged, affordable gear built by hunters for hunters. Blind bags, shell pouches, gun cases, lighting, apparel, and more.

Use code FDH10
https://www.shottygear.com

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Josh Goins, founder of Flyway Federation, is one of the most controversial figures in modern waterfowl hunting. Supporters call him a truth teller fighting for everyday hunters. Critics say his claims oversimplify complex science. In this rare appearance, Josh sits down to explain his views on flooded corn, short stopping, migration changes, and the future of duck hunting across North America.

This conversation dives into the data, the history, and the growing divide within the waterfowl community. Whether you agree with him or not, this is a perspective every hunter should hear.

Love him or hate him, Josh Goins has changed the conversation.

Support the companies that support this podcast:

Flight Day Ammunition

TideWe

Shotty Gear

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates

Weatherby Shotguns

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After Episode 250, the feedback poured in from hunters across the country. Some agree. Some strongly disagree. Many are seeing completely different realities depending on where they hunt.

In this episode, Elliott reads and responds to real listener comments about duck numbers, migration patterns, hunting pressure, public vs private access, and what success actually looks like across different regions. From concerns about declining mallards to debates over effort, habitat, and expectations, this episode captures a wide cross section of opinions from the waterfowl community.

No experts. No scripts. Just honest reactions to what hunters are experiencing on the ground right now.

Shotty Gear
Waterproof, durable gear built by hunters for hunters. From shell pouches to gun cases, this is rugged equipment made to survive real conditions.
🔗 https://www.shottygear.com
Code: FDH10

TideWe
Affordable, reliable hunting gear for every season, including waders, apparel, optics, and more.
🔗 https://www.tidewe.com
Code: NAW18

Weatherby Shotguns
Dependable performance and fit right out of the box, trusted by hunters for generations.
🔗 https://www.weatherby.com

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates
Safe, rugged transport for your hunting partner, whether in the cab or the truck bed.
🔗 https://www.mammothpet.com
Code: GUARDIAN15

Flight Day Ammunition
Maximum payload steel loads designed for dense patterns and reliable performance in the field.
🔗 https://www.flightdayammo.com
Code: NAW10

Support the show and connect with Elliott’s core community of serious waterfowl hunters. Patreon members get bonus content, hunt giveaways, live events, and more.

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

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Jordan Fromer of the Duck Gun Podcast joins Elliott for the first off-season recap of the year. With duck and goose seasons closed across most of the country, it’s time to look back at what worked, what didn’t, and the lessons learned from months in the field.

Jordan hunted six different states this season, logging serious miles and experiencing a wide range of conditions, bird numbers, and hunting styles. In this episode, he breaks down his travels, favorite locations, toughest hunts, gear insights, and the realities of chasing birds across the country.

If you’re already thinking about next season, this conversation is packed with perspective that can help you hunt smarter, scout better, and prepare during the off-season.

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

Shotty Gear
https://www.shottygear.com

Weatherby Firearms
https://www.weatherby.com

TideWe Hunting Gear
https://www.tidewe.com

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crate

PATREON — Extra Hunts + Annual Hunt Giveaway

Get access to full hunt videos not released on YouTube, bonus content, and entry into the annual hunt giveaway on private flooded timber in Missouri.

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In this episode of The North American Waterfowler, I sit down for a civil and honest debate with a critic who took issue with a recent reel of mine about duck hunting effort, success, and responsibility. Instead of trading comments online, we chose to have the conversation face to face. We talk about flooded corn, migration changes, regional expectations, frustration in the waterfowl community, and where personal effort fits into the bigger picture.

This episode is not about winning an argument. It is about listening, challenging assumptions, and having the kind of conversation hunters should be willing to have with one another.

Support the show and get access to exclusive full length hunt films, bonus podcast episodes, live streams, and giveaways by joining Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting

Partners of The North American Waterfowler

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

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

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

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