The North American Waterfowler

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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.

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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:

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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:
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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.

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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.
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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

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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:
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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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