ASCEND by Ducks Unlimited

Ducks Unlimited
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Wilderness
  • Updated Biweekly

Ascend is a multimedia platform that spotlights the millions of outdoorswomen across our country who go hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, biking, running, and perform important conservation work every day. Our web series and podcast feature guests who share their experiences with a focus on entertainment, education, and authenticity. Our viewers and listeners will get to know them and learn all about their passion for the outdoors. Whether you've been in outdoor communities all your life or are just getting started, Ascend is the place for you to follow your story! Brought to you by Ducks Unlimited.

  1. Aug 11

    Women, Adventure, and Invasive Hunts: Pythons, Iguanas, and Quail Camp Stories

    From Arizona quail hunting to chasing invasive species in Florida, this episode is packed with adventure, conservation, and laughs. Ducks Unlimited digital media producer Ruby flips the script and steps in front of the microphone to talk with Brandy Elrod, Ashley, and Blythe of Lady Outdoors Lifestyle. Together, they recap two unforgettable Ascend adventures: an Arizona quail hunt with Her Upland and a Florida conservation trip targeting invasive pythons, iguanas, and fish. The group shares stories about learning new hunting disciplines, empowering women through outdoor education, building friendships through organized hunts, and stepping outside comfort zones. You'll also hear behind-the-scenes moments from filming the adventures, surprising conservation lessons, and plenty of unexpected laughs along the way. In this episode, you'll learn: How Her Upland introduces women to upland bird huntingThe role scholarships play in opening outdoor opportunitiesWhy women's hunting communities continue to growHow invasive species impact Florida ecosystemsWhat goes into hunting pythons and iguanasThe importance of conservation-driven hunting experiencesWhy trying something new outdoors can be life-changingFollow along for more real conversations, outdoor stories, and insights from women shaping the future of hunting and conservation.Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend. The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by: Dry Pocket.Visit drypocket.com and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off. Bird Dig Whiskey.Visit birddogwhiskey.com. Enjoy Responsibly!  Oklahoma Joes.Visit oklahomajoes.com and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off.

    Women, Adventure, and Invasive Hunts: Pythons, Iguanas, and Quail Camp Stories

  2. Jul 26

    Living With Lyme Disease: What Every Hunter Needs to Know About Tick-Borne Illness

    Learn how to recognize tick-borne illness symptoms, reduce your risk in the field, and advocate for your health if something feels wrong. Host Adrian Jessen sits down with hunter and outdoorswoman Laura Adele to share her life-changing experience with Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and the long-term impacts of tick-borne illness. What began as a turkey hunt in 2012 became a years-long medical journey involving misdiagnoses, hospitalizations, and ongoing treatment. Laura shares the symptoms she wishes she had recognized sooner, the challenges of navigating the healthcare system, and the prevention practices she never skips today. This conversation is a powerful reminder that every hunter, angler, and outdoor enthusiast should take tick exposure seriously. In this episode, you’ll learn: Common symptoms of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnessesWhy many people never remember the tick bite itselfWhat to do if you find a tick attached to your bodyHow Lyme disease can be misdiagnosed for yearsTick prevention strategies for hunters and outdoor enthusiastsThe reality of living with chronic Lyme diseaseHow Rocky Mountain spotted fever and alpha-gal concerns affect outdoor recreation Follow along for more real conversations, outdoor stories, and insights from women shaping the future of hunting and conservation.Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend. The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by: Dry Pocket.Visit drypocket.com and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off. Bird Dig Whiskey.Visit birddogwhiskey.com. Enjoy Responsibly!  Oklahoma Joes.Visit oklahomajoes.com and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off.

    Living With Lyme Disease: What Every Hunter Needs to Know About Tick-Borne Illness

  3. Jul 12

    Why More Women Than Ever Are Getting Into Hunting

    Discover how women are entering hunting and shooting sports faster than ever—and where to find the support to get started. Host Bethany Beathard sits down with Taniya Bethke, Director of Operations for the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports, to discuss the growth of women in hunting, mentorship opportunities, and the programs helping newcomers feel confident in the outdoors.  From adult-onset hunters and first-time firearm owners to mentorship networks and state-led programs, Taniya shares what’s driving participation growth and why social support may be the single most important factor in helping women stay involved. The conversation also explores representation, inclusion, family participation, and how outdoor organizations are adapting to meet the needs of modern audiences. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why women are one of the fastest-growing segments in huntingHow mentorship programs help new hunters succeedWhat R3 (Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation) meansWhy social support matters more than gear or experienceHow state agencies and organizations help people get startedThe connection between food sourcing, conservation, and huntingWhere to find programs and resources near youFollow along for more real conversations, outdoor stories, and insights from women shaping the future of hunting and conservation.Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend. The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by: Dry Pocket.Visit drypocket.com and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off. Bird Dig Whiskey.Visit birddogwhiskey.com. Enjoy Responsibly!  Oklahoma Joes.Visit oklahomajoes.com and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off.

    Why More Women Than Ever Are Getting Into Hunting

  4. Jun 28

    How Women Find Hunting Mentors, Group Hunts, and Trusted Outfitters

    Learn how to find safe, welcoming hunting opportunities—even if you’ve never hunted before. Ascend host Adrian Jessen sits down with Sisterhood of the Hunt co-founders Jaycey Stone and Laurel York, who have helped hundreds of women connect through guided hunting trips, outdoor adventures, and mentorship opportunities across the country. What started as a small group of 10 women quickly grew into a nationwide community hosting dozens of trips each year. In this episode, Jaycey and Laurel share how they evaluate outfitters, help beginners get started, build confidence in new hunters, and create spaces where women can learn, connect, and succeed in the outdoors without intimidation or gatekeeping. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to find reputable hunting outfitters and avoid red flagsWhy group hunts can accelerate learning and confidenceWhat complete beginners should know before booking their first huntHow mentorship helps women break into hunting and fishingCommon mistakes people make when booking outfitted tripsWhy community is often more important than experienceFollow along with the Ascend community at @duascend or visit ducks.org/ascend. The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by: Dry Pocket.Visit drypocket.com and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off. Bird Dig Whiskey.Visit birddogwhiskey.com. Enjoy Responsibly!  Oklahoma Joes.Visit oklahomajoes.com and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off.

    How Women Find Hunting Mentors, Group Hunts, and Trusted Outfitters

  5. Jun 14

    The Turkey Hunting Lessons We Learned... the Hard Way

    Every turkey hunter has a story they’ll never forget—and usually a lesson that came with it. In this special Ascend roundtable episode, Adrian, Julia, Bethany, and Erin swap some of their most memorable turkey hunting experiences, from birds that mysteriously came back to life after the shot to all-day crawls across open country and mountain hunts for Merriam’s turkeys. Along the way, they discuss what keeps them coming back to turkey hunting season after season, the calls they trust, the gear they won’t leave home without, and the little tricks that make long mornings in the woods more enjoyable. Whether you're a seasoned turkey hunter or preparing for your first season, this conversation is packed with relatable stories, practical advice, and plenty of laughs. Topics covered: • Memorable turkey hunts and the lessons they taught • Why turkey hunting becomes addictive • Hunting Easterns, Rios, Merriam’s, and Osceolas • Mouth calls vs. slate calls vs. diaphragm calls • How movement ruins more setups than bad calling • Favorite turkey guns, gauges, and loads • Essential gear every turkey hunter carries • Tick prevention and staying comfortable in the field • Hunting snacks, coffee, Pop-Tarts, jerky, and other camp essentials • Why every experienced turkey hunter has at least one story that still hurts to tell Follow along with the Ascend community at @duascend or visit ducks.org/ascend. The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by: Dry Pocket.Visit drypocket.com and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off. Bird Dig Whiskey.Visit birddogwhiskey.com. Enjoy Responsibly!  Oklahoma Joes.Visit oklahomajoes.com and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off.

    The Turkey Hunting Lessons We Learned... the Hard Way

  6. May 31

    How to Get More Turkeys: Habitat Management That Actually Works

    Want more turkeys on your property? It starts with how you manage your land. Ascend host Adrian Jessen sits down with Courtney Conring, wildlife biologist and Assistant Chief of Research for Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, to break down what really drives turkey populations—and what landowners can do to improve them. From food sources and cover to prescribed fire and predator pressure, Courtney explains how habitat—not hunting—is the biggest factor affecting turkey numbers. Whether you own 20 acres or manage large tracts of land, this episode gives you practical steps to create better turkey habitat and stronger wildlife populations. In this episode, you’ll learn: The fundamentals of habitat management (food, water, cover)What turkeys eat—and how to provide it year‑roundWhy insects and early successional plants are critical for poultsHow to create openings and improve land for turkey useWhen and why prescribed fire makes a differenceHow cover protects hens and nests from predatorsThe truth about predator management vs. habitat qualityWhy private landowners play a critical role in turkey conservationFollow along for more real conversations, outdoor stories, and insights from women shaping the future of hunting and conservation.Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend. The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by: Dry Pocket.Visit drypocket.com and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off. Bird Dig Whiskey.Visit birddogwhiskey.com. Enjoy Responsibly!  Oklahoma Joes.Visit oklahomajoes.com and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off.

    How to Get More Turkeys: Habitat Management That Actually Works

  7. May 17

    Women Hunting Elk: First Archery Harvest and Hard Lessons

    Learn what it really takes to harvest an elk on public land—from scouting to pack‑out—and how women are redefining success in hunting. Host Erin Crider sits down with archery guide and instructor Anna Sabotka to break down her first public‑land archery elk harvest in Colorado—and everything that came with it. From scouting and studying elk behavior to calling strategies, shot execution, and a brutal multi‑mile pack‑out, Anna shares the real highs and challenges behind the moment. The conversation also explores elk camp experiences, mentoring new hunters, and why defining your own version of success matters more than the outcome. In this episode, you’ll learn: How scouting leads to successful elk huntsRealistic expectations for public land elk hunting success ratesCalling strategies, wind awareness, and shot decision‑makingWhat a full elk pack‑out actually looks likeHow to process meat in the backcountry using the gutless methodWhy mentorship and training camps help new hunters succeedHow to define success beyond just harvesting an animal The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by: Dry Pocket.Visit drypocket.com and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off. Bird Dig Whiskey.Visit birddogwhiskey.com. Enjoy Responsibly!  Oklahoma Joes.Visit oklahomajoes.com and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off.

    Women Hunting Elk: First Archery Harvest and Hard Lessons

  8. May 3

    How Farming and Soil Health Shape Wildlife, Water, and the Outdoors

    Learn how farming and conservation practices directly shape wildlife habitat, water quality, and the future of the outdoors. Ascend host Adrian Jessen sits down with Joy Van Wyngarden—an Iowa farm‑raised conservation specialist and former watershed coordinator—to unpack how planting, soil management, and land stewardship influence everything from deer and ducks to clean water and food systems. Joy brings a rare blend of real‑world farming experience, conservation science, and hunting perspective. Together, they explain cover crops, wetlands, edge‑of‑field practices, soil health, and how small changes on private land can create massive downstream benefits for wildlife and people alike. In this episode, you’ll learn: How conventional farming practices impact wildlife habitatWhat cover crops are and why they matterHow soil health affects water, food, and animal populationsWhy wetlands are critical for ducks, deer, and water qualitySimple ways landowners can assess and improve their propertyThe connection between agriculture, conservation, and hunting successWhy soil loss threatens the future of food and wildlifeFollow @duascend or visit ducks.org/ascend Presented by Ducks Unlimited. The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by: Dry Pocket.Visit drypocket.com and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off. Bird Dig Whiskey.Visit birddogwhiskey.com. Enjoy Responsibly!  Oklahoma Joes.Visit oklahomajoes.com and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off.

    How Farming and Soil Health Shape Wildlife, Water, and the Outdoors
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Ascend is a multimedia platform that spotlights the millions of outdoorswomen across our country who go hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, biking, running, and perform important conservation work every day. Our web series and podcast feature guests who share their experiences with a focus on entertainment, education, and authenticity. Our viewers and listeners will get to know them and learn all about their passion for the outdoors. Whether you've been in outdoor communities all your life or are just getting started, Ascend is the place for you to follow your story! Brought to you by Ducks Unlimited.

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