Midwest Flyways Podcast

Midwest Flyways

Duck Hunting and Goose Hunting is in our blood and we live it everyday! The Midwest Flyways Podcast is an authentic take on waterfowl hunting from Midwest Flyways. Duck and goose hunting has continued to evolve throughout the years and we aim to connect duck hunting traditions with the future of waterfowling. If you‘re passionate about ducks and geese then come hang with Joey Vassallo and Cal Ness as they talk duck hunting, goose hunting and everything else in between.

  1. Department of Grievances

    3D AGO

    Department of Grievances

    On this episode of the Midwest Flyways Podcast, Cal is joined by Carter (no Joey this week) to break down a controversial topic that’s been gaining traction—the proposed Greyhound Protection Act and its potential impact on bird dog training, live bird use, and hunting culture as a whole.   What starts as a conversation about legislation quickly turns into a deeper discussion about federal overreach, unclear laws, and how vague wording could affect hunters, dog trainers, and field trials across the country. If you run dogs, train dogs, or care about the future of hunting, this is one you need to hear.   Then… things take a turn. We introduce a brand new segment: The Flyways Department of Grievances—and the first submission might be the most unhinged hunting story we’ve ever heard. It involves a dog, a public boat ramp, and a situation that spirals completely out of control. You’ve been warned.   Topics covered: What the Greyhound Protection Act is and why it matters How it could affect bird dog training and live bird use The role of organizations like the AKC and hunting groups Animal welfare vs. hunting tradition Why clarity in legislation matters more than ever Flyways Department of Grievances (Case #1)   Don’t forget, duck hunting is still fun. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review!   Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP

    50 min
  2. Looking Back, Looking Ahead

    APR 30

    Looking Back, Looking Ahead

    In this episode, Cal, Joey, and Carter dive deep into waterfowl culture, breaking down the truth about goose calls, why gear matters (and when it doesn’t), and how different regions shape the way hunters hunt.   But this one goes way beyond hunting. The guys get real about chasing passions, building Midwest Flyways over the past decade, and what it actually takes to balance family, work, and an obsession with the outdoors.   From hilarious stories and industry insights to a raw conversation about dream lifestyles—owning land out west, building cabins by hand, and refusing to give up the things that make life worth living—this episode hits on what it means to build a life you’re proud of.   If you’ve ever felt the pull to hunt more, create more, or just live differently… this one’s for you. Plus: gear talk, giveaways, and why a $20 goose call might be holding you back. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review!   Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP

    48 min
  3. Shotgun Evolution: From Flintlocks to Semi-Autos

    APR 21

    Shotgun Evolution: From Flintlocks to Semi-Autos

    In this Ten Minute Tuesday History Lesson episode, Cal traces the full evolution of the shotgun and how it shaped waterfowl hunting from the earliest days of market hunting to today.   We start in the pre-1800s era of flintlock muskets, smoothbores, and punt guns—when ducks were harvested for survival and commerce, not sport. From there, we move into the birth of the true shotgun in Europe with early innovators like Joseph Manton and Purdey, and follow its arrival in America as wingshooting begins to take form.   The episode breaks down the biggest turning points in shotgun history: the invention of the self-contained shell, the rise of breech-loading doubles, and the golden age of American makers like Parker, L.C. Smith, Ithaca, and Remington. We then explore how repeating shotguns changed everything—Winchester 1897 pump actions, Browning’s Auto-5 semi-auto revolution, and the regulatory response that followed, including the 3-shell federal limit that still shapes waterfowl hunting today.   From mid-century workhorses like the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 to the global shift brought by imports from Beretta, Browning, and more, we track how accessibility and reliability transformed the average hunter’s experience.   Finally, we land in the modern era with purpose-built waterfowl platforms like the Weatherby Sorix, advanced materials, steel and tungsten shot, and the ongoing debate that has echoed for over 150 years: how much firepower is “too much” for fair chase hunting? From black powder to precision machines—this is the story of the shotgun, and the culture of waterfowl hunting it built.   Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP

    15 min
4.8
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

Duck Hunting and Goose Hunting is in our blood and we live it everyday! The Midwest Flyways Podcast is an authentic take on waterfowl hunting from Midwest Flyways. Duck and goose hunting has continued to evolve throughout the years and we aim to connect duck hunting traditions with the future of waterfowling. If you‘re passionate about ducks and geese then come hang with Joey Vassallo and Cal Ness as they talk duck hunting, goose hunting and everything else in between.

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