Ducks Unlimited Podcast Ducks Unlimited Inc.

Freshwater is a basic requirement of all birds, but it can be in short supply during extreme drought and in marine environments. In these situations, how do birds cope, can they drink salt water, and how might it affect their health? Dr. Sarah Gutowsky, quantitative wildlife biologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, joins Dr. Mike Brasher to discuss the adaptations that birds use for helping overcome the challenges and stresses of saltwater. From salt glands that remove salt from the blood to extraction of freshwater from food and behavioral changes to access dietary fresh water, we learn that birds are quite skilled at dealing with salty systems.
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Reports of recent rain in the Dakotas and Canadian Prairies have stirred optimism among duck hunters already looking forward to the fall. How much rain fell, was it enough to fill wetlands, and did it arrive in time to benefit breeding ducks? Long-time guest Dr. Scott Stephens joins Dr. Mike Brasher and Katie Burke for a mid-May update on habitat conditions across the U.S. and Canadian prairies. Also discussed are continuing drought in the Boreal Forest and predictions for the 2024 waterfowl breeding population. Will they be up or down from 2023? Listen to find out what our team has to say.
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Host Chris Jennings is joined by Kelley Powers and Brook Richard with Higdon Outdoors, MOMarsh, and Power Calls and the trio talk Canada goose calling. Powers, three-time World Goose Calling Champion, among other titles, brings a whole new level of calling capabilities to the DU Podcast. He provides an easy step-by-step guide to improve your capabilities in a goose field. The trio also discuss decoy tactics, flagging, and combining calling into all of these to make you a more successful Canada goose hunter.
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This episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast features Mike Valley, a decoy carver, hunter, and commercial fisherman. Host Katie Burke delves into Mike's family history of carving, with his grandfather carving decoys during the Depression and his father continuing the tradition in the 50s until his recent passing. Mike shares insights into the rich carving history in Prairie du Chien and the influence of prominent carvers in the area. Tune in to hear about the deep-rooted carving legacy that shaped Mike's upbringing and passion for the craft.
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Host Chris Jennings is joined by Kelley Powers and Brook Richard with Higdon Outdoors, MOMarsh, and Power Calls to discuss calling whitefronts. Richard grew up hunting and guiding “specklebellies” in south Louisiana and has followed them north as their main wintering landscapes have shifted. He has called in competitions and is eager to teach others. Richard breaks down the basics of calling these fantastic geese and even walks through step-by-step scenarios of when, why, and how to put whitefronts in the decoys.
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“Sky carp” and “Saving the Tundra” are phrases that have become commonplace in the vernacular of light goose hunters across North America. Although born from well-intentioned conversations around once-hyperabundant light geese and the Light Goose Conservation Order, waterfowl managers consider these derogatory phrases undeserved and unfortunate. On this episode, Kevin Kraai of Texas Parks and Wildlife makes the case for changing this narrative and bringing respect back to light geese. We also dig into data showing an 86% decline in the midcontinent light goose population, shrinking breeding colonies, recovery of arctic staging grounds, and new science on how repeated disturbance may influence light goose body condition. If this evolving story tells us anything it’s that what we know today is likely different from what we’ll learn in the future and why we should never stop asking questions.
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