The Standard Sportsman

Heavy is the head that wears the crown, and Arkansas has worn the title of Duck Hunting Capital of the World for generations. Despite a run of difficult seasons, the state remains at the forefront of the sport. Duck hunting is more than recreation here—it is closely tied to tourism, agriculture and the economies of rural communities. Cason and Brent break down what duck hunting means to Arkansas, why the title carries responsibility and how deeply the tradition is woven into the state’s identity.

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Former Arkansas Razorback All-American and Miami Marlins third-round draft pick Camden Kozeal joins the show to discuss his lifelong passion for the outdoors. A Nebraska native and longtime waterfowler, Kozeal discovered an entirely different style of duck hunting after transferring from Vanderbilt to the University of Arkansas. He compares hunting in Nebraska and Arkansas, shares his pursuit of big bass, and recounts his first big buck. Wise beyond his years, Camden also discusses stewardship and why his generation of hunters needs to do better by the resource.

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U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford represents Arkansas’s First Congressional District, home to much of the Delta’s storied duck country. His diverse background has served him well in Washington, particularly when addressing the needs of American agriculture and wildlife conservation. A dedicated hunter and conservationist, Crawford connects the dots between today’s agricultural economy and waterfowl and elaborates on how much duck hunting means to Arkansas.

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Recorded as the first real north wind of fall reached the end of their flyway, Cason and Brent tackle several hot topics in the duck hunting world. They begin with an update on the Buy Two Duck Stamps campaign as momentum builds toward duck season. With Prairie Pothole Region wetland easements again facing scrutiny from the USFWS, hunter-funded habitat conservation remains as important as ever. The guys also examine President Trump’s executive order addressing traditional lead ammunition and share some history while explaining why lead shot remains prohibited for waterfowl hunting. They close with a discussion of the Open Fields Doctrine, recently in the news in Arkansas and Pennsylvania.

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The aftermath of September 11 showed what this country is capable of when differences are set aside and everyone pulls on the same end of the rope. Much has changed since then, including duck hunting. While nothing in the waterfowl world approaches the gravity of 9/11, some lessons about unity and cooperation still apply. The guys discuss growing collaboration within the waterfowl science community and how good data starts and ends with duck hunter input. Cason and Brent also question whether available data adequately captures outfitter harvest. The show wraps up with an update on proposed solar and wind projects in the Arkansas Delta and the research underway to measure their potential impacts.

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The annual Breeding Population and Habitat Survey left much to be desired for midcontinent mallards, though improved May pond numbers offered some encouraging news. Cason and Brent provide their annual breakdown with eastern Arkansas native Robert Riley, who grew up hunting the famed Claypool Reservoir near Weiner, where his grandfather—and later his uncle—served as caretakers. Robert joins the BPOP discussion and shares a few personal stories about hunting Claypool and the lasting influence of his late grandfather.

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Born during the Dust Bowl era, the Federal Duck Stamp was created to provide a permanent funding source for wetland conservation. More than 90 years and $1.3 billion later, it remains one of the greatest conservation success stories in American history. But as habitat continues to disappear and threats such as the recent drain tile setback issue emerge, protecting the Duck Factory will require more from duck hunters. The guys break down the Buy Two Duck Stamps campaign, where the money goes and why a second stamp may be the best $25 a duck hunter can spend on the future of the sport. Visit www.buytwoduckstamps.com for more information.

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James Callicutt leads Mississippi State’s Waterfowl and Upland Game Bird Extension program, working alongside the Osborne Lab, Cohen Wildlife Lab and Five Oaks Ag Research Center, among others. A dedicated waterfowler himself, James breaks down mallard movements, food preferences, the importance of water on the landscape and much more. He has a knack for translating complex waterfowl science into practical information everyday duck hunters can understand and use.

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New Mexico native Ryan Gentry serves in the U.S. Air Force and operates Black Horn Guide Service, pursuing big game across his home state. Ryan joins the show to break down New Mexico’s tag and draw system, including how nonresident and outfitter allocations are shaping hunting opportunity and affecting the resource. The conversation then turns to the consumption-driven mindset of today’s hunters and whether R3 still makes sense when access is shrinking, pressure is increasing and wildlife resources are already stretched thin.

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Few issues have stirred the duck hunting community like the USFWS proposal involving drain tile setbacks in the Prairie Pothole Region. For two weeks, social media feeds and podcasts were flooded with calls for hunters to submit public comments and help protect North America’s most important duck-producing landscape. Whether the campaign ultimately influences the agency remains to be seen.

But despite the wall-to-wall coverage, nearly one million duck hunters stayed on the sidelines. Why? Cason and Brent examine what became a real-time social experiment—and what the response, or lack of it, revealed about advocacy, influence and the priorities of today’s duck hunting community.

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