🎙 Episode Description:

🧢 Partner Reads:

Flight Day Ammunition – Bismuth loads that hit hard and pattern tight. Whether you're hunting mallards or divers, Flight Day delivers consistent results. Use code FDH10 for 10% off at flightdayammo.com.

Weatherby Shotguns – Trusted for generations, Weatherby’s inertia-driven shotguns combine reliability with lightweight design. I shoot the 18i and it hasn’t let me down.

Shotty Gear – Waterproof, bombproof duck hunting gear. Shell pouches, blind bags, rugged gun cases, and duck straps — all tested by real hunters, made in a basement, and priced right. Visit shottygear.com and use FDH10 for 10% off.

OnX Hunt – Know where you stand and what’s legal. OnX gives you detailed maps, private/public boundaries, and waypoints to plan your next hunt.

Purina Pro Plan – I feed Georgie Purina Pro Plan because performance matters. It’s trusted by professional trainers and keeps her going strong all season.

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates – Heavy-duty, safe, and secure. These dog crates are built with welded steel bars, tie-down points, and a rugged chrome-plated door. The roll cage is sold separately. Just search Mammoth dog crate or visit the Mammoth Pet Products store on Amazon.

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What would I do differently if I could go back to day one as a duck hunter? In this episode, I break down five things I would absolutely change if I had the chance to start over—mistakes I made, lessons I learned the hard way, and the little details that make the biggest difference in the field. Whether you’re a new waterfowler or a seasoned hunter, these reflections might just change how you approach your next hunt.

Flight Day Ammunition

Shotty Gear

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates

OnX Hunt

Weatherby Shotguns

Purina Pro Plan

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From California duck clubs to Idaho fields, Scott Vix has seen it all—and he’s back to share lessons from 40 years of chasing birds. In this conversation, we talk shot ethics, sub-gauge controversy, and the mindset of hunters who last. Scott explains how to earn a spot in someone’s blind (and keep it), what makes a great partner or spouse, and why calling ducks isn’t just about sound—it’s about respect. One of the most well-rounded and honest duck hunting convos we’ve had on the show.

🎯 Podcast Partners for This Episode:

Flight Day Ammunition – Premium bismuth waterfowl loads. Use code FDH10 for 10% off at flightdayammo.com

AlClair Audio – Custom in-ear hearing protection for hunters. Use code FDH10 for $100 off at alclair.com/partners/fdh

Weatherby Shotguns – High-performance shotguns built for the field. Explore options at weatherby.com

OnX Hunt – Know where you stand with the #1 hunting GPS app. onxmaps.com/hunt-app

Purina Pro Plan – Trusted performance dog food for your retriever. purina.com/pro-plan

Shotty Gear – Rugged, waterproof duck hunting gear. Shell pouches, blind bags, gun cases & more. Use code FDH10 at shottygear.com

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It’s May 26, 2025, and Elliott is fired up and not slowing down. In this episode, he breaks down Georgie’s AKC Master Hunt Test weekend at Flint Oak, one of the most unique venues around. From fine dining to thunder delays to tight whistle stops, Elliott shares every moment of the three-series challenge, including the bank cheating drama that almost cost them a pass. He also takes on a critical Facebook comment in “Comment of the Week,” digging into why training dogs not to run the bank is about more than ribbons.

Catch the full hunt test breakdown and the video version of this episode on the Freelance Duck Hunting YouTube channel. And don’t forget—there’s still time to join the June Patreon float trip and enter the gear + hunt giveaway!

Podcast Partners:

Flight Day Ammunition – Premium bismuth waterfowl loads
https://www.flightdayammo.com
Code: FDH10 for 10% off

AlClair Audio – Custom & universal in-ear hearing protection
https://alclair.com/partners/fdh
Code: FDH10 for $100 off EXP Pro

Purina Pro Plan – Trusted performance dog food
https://www.purina.com/pro-plan

Weatherby – Shotguns, rifles, and high-performance firearms
https://weatherby.com

OnX Hunt – Powerful GPS mapping tools for hunters
https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

Shotty Gear – Rugged, waterproof duck hunting gear
https://www.shottygear.com
Code: FDH10 for 10% off

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In this episode of The North American Waterfowler, Elliott is joined by longtime friend Woody for a full-length catch-up session. They break down the upcoming Patreon float trip, share stories about why wood ducks are misunderstood, and debut Woody’s original song “Good Duck.” Then it’s time for Woody’s Top 5, where he ranks his favorite wild game meats. From crappie to venison, this list stirs up some strong opinions and classic backwoods storytelling.

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In this episode of The North American Waterfowler Podcast, Elliott responds to a long-time subscriber’s comment that sparks a deep dive into the early years of Freelance Duck Hunting. He reflects on the unforgettable crew of Dan, Aiden, and Fumbles, and how the channel has changed since those early, personality-packed seasons.

Then Elliott transitions into Georgie’s 2025 hunt test journey—recapping their recent HRC run, breaking down her progress toward the AKC Master Hunter title, and sharing insights into what it’s like to train a duck dog from scratch as an amateur. If you’ve ever thought about entering the hunt test world, this is your episode.

▶️ Watch the video version:
North American Waterfowler YouTube Channel

🎁 Patreon Giveaway now live!

Weatherby Shotguns

OnX Hunt

Purina Pro Plan

Flight Day Ammunition

Alclair Hearing Protection

Shotty Gear

🔥 Podcast Partners:

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

In this heartfelt solo episode of The North American Waterfowler Podcast, Elliott Snider responds to a powerful listener letter that opens the door to deep conversations on solo hunting, spiritual growth, and finding purpose in the marsh. He unpacks how full immersion hunting has restored him through seasons of personal struggle, and gives detailed advice to new hunters trying to succeed on their own—including a boots-on-the-ground blueprint for breaking into public land waterfowling.

Elliott also reveals his daydream plans for the ultimate off-grid hot tent duck hunt in the remote hills of Nebraska. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or someone searching for meaning in the stillness of a solo sunrise, this episode will speak to your soul.

Partners Mentioned:

Shotty Gear — Use code FDH10 for 10% off waterproof shell pouches, gun cases, and gear

Flight Day Ammunition — Premium bismuth and steel loads; use FDH10 for 10% off

AlClair Audio — Custom-fit hearing protection; code FDH10 for $100 off the EXP Pro

Weatherby — Shotguns, rifles, and legacy quality

OnX Hunt — Essential for scouting, tracking, and sharing duck spots

Purina Pro Plan — Because your retriever deserves elite nutrition

Watch or listen on:

Patreon: patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting (Tuesdays @ 7PM CST for live recordings)

YouTube: The North American Waterfowler

Spotify (video episodes available in-app)

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In this episode of The North American Waterfowler, I’m joined by longtime listener and passionate hunter Ben Kraja, a U.S. Forest Service liaison and board member for the Utah chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. Ben brings deep insight into hunting the Great Salt Lake—one of the Pacific Flyway’s most important waterfowl ecosystems.

We talk about:

The variety and pressure of Utah’s public waterfowl management areas

Hunting with coffin blinds and silhouettes on the open salt flats

How brine shrimp fuel the migration

The environmental crisis facing the Great Salt Lake and why it matters

His family’s journey from communist Albania to America

Duck hunting with his identical twin and how deep the obsession runs

Whether you’re interested in hunting new regions, conservation advocacy, or hearing about brutal five-hour day-trip hunts, this one’s packed with great storytelling and perspective.

Flight Day Ammunition – 10% off with code FDH10 at flightdayammo.com

Alclair Audio – $100 off custom ear protection with code FDH10 at alclair.com

Weatherby Shotguns – Proven performance from early teal to late mallards

OnX Hunt – The best mapping tool for duck hunters

Purina Pro Plan Sport – Trusted fuel for hard-working retrievers

🔊 Presented By:

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In this episode, Elliott sits down with Alex Wilson from Washington—his top bucket list state—to talk about life in the Pacific Northwest, chasing ducks and geese across flooded fields, and what it’s like hunting with his black lab, Buster. They break down the differences between east and west Washington, debate whether black or yellow labs hide better, and swap stories about late-season greenheads, layout boat struggles, and the universal duck hunter rule: never pick up early. It’s a passionate, wide-ranging conversation that any waterfowler will relate to.

Partners

Flight Day Ammunition

AlClair Audio

Weatherby Shotguns

OnX Hunt

Purina Pro Plan (Dog Food)

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

In this powerful episode, Elliott sits down with Jason Williams, author of Committed to the Call, a 365-day devotional written specifically for waterfowl hunters. Jason shares how God radically transformed his life—taking him from hard-hearted corrections officer to minister of the gospel—and how the stillness of the marsh became the backdrop for his most meaningful encounters with Christ. If you're a waterfowler who's ever felt God tugging on your heart while in the blind, this one is for you.

Partners featured in this episode:

Watch these podcast interviews live every Tuesday at 7PM Central over at Patreon.com/FreelanceDuckHunting, where members also get access to exclusive hunts, bonus videos, and more.

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