Midwest Flyways Podcast

Midwest Flyways
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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. 7h ago

    Sports Guyz Only; Gambling Ruins Sports

    This week on Sports Guyz Only... Everybody is back in the studio, and it takes roughly a minute for Michigan football to send the show completely off the rails. After Western Michigan nearly pulls off the upset, the guys break down the controversial ending, Michigan celebrating a win that came down to a questionable clock decision, and whether Bryce Underwood could already be playing for his job. That quickly turns into a much bigger argument: has sports gambling gone too far? Cal makes the case that betting has become so intertwined with sports that it's starting to affect the integrity of the games themselves, while Gavin argues that gambling has been part of sports forever and isn't going anywhere. From DraftKings and player props to point shaving, questionable officiating, and whether making gambling illegal would actually change anything, the debate stretches well beyond one college football game. The guys also look around the opening weeks of college football, including Notre Dame's strong start, Clemson's struggles, and whether Dabo Swinney's approach can survive in the NIL era. With college rosters now costing tens of millions of dollars, they debate how quickly the sport has changed and whether coaches either need to adapt or get left behind. Then Cal tells the story of getting thrown into a high school football game against future NFL defensive lineman Beau Allen, which mostly involved accepting that blocking him normally wasn't an option. Somehow that leads to 700-pound squats, Jason Kelce stories, and another reminder that some athletes are simply built differently. Plus: •Remembering Barry Melrose and his impact on hockey •Early college football championship contenders •LSU's roster spending and the new NIL arms race •Weekly NFL picks and underdog locks •J.J. McCarthy vs. Caleb Williams in hindsight •Another Brian O'Neill crashout It's college football controversy, gambling arguments, NFL picks, questionable statistics, and enough side stories to make sure nobody stays on topic for very long. Thanks so much for listening to Sports Guyz Only 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

    Sports Guyz Only; Gambling Ruins Sports

  2. 1d ago

    Do We Really Have Fewer Ducks?

    This week on the Midwest Flyways Podcast, Joey is running the show without Cal and diving into the newly released waterfowl population numbers and he has a lot of questions. Mallards are reportedly down, several other puddle duck species dropped, and the overall numbers aren't exactly what Joey expected after seeing what looks like an incredible hatch around Minnesota this summer. He and Carter talk through how the surveys are conducted, whether changing water conditions could be pushing ducks outside traditional survey areas, and why the numbers don't always seem to line up with what hunters are seeing on the ground. The conversation also gets into some of the criticism Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have been getting online. Joey pushes back on blaming conservation organizations for the survey numbers and talks about why he'd like to see more research and additional survey areas before everyone starts jumping to conclusions. Before all of that, Joey recaps Wisconsin goose opener and taking his two-and-a-half-year-old son into the blind. No geese for Joey, but plenty of frogs, snakes, donuts, and a pretty memorable first hunting experience. The guys also talk Minnesota opener, scouting resident geese, teal, dry conditions, wood ducks, and why this year's duck season could still be a very interesting one. Topics Covered: •Taking a two-year-old goose hunting •Wisconsin goose opener •Getting kids into hunting •Minnesota early goose season •The latest waterfowl population numbers •Reported declines in mallards •Getting ready for duck season Thanks for listening to the Midwest Flyways Podcast! Be sure to check out the Flyways Hunt Club for even more exclusive content every week.   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

    Do We Really Have Fewer Ducks?

  3. 3d ago

    Early Season Goose Hunting Tips

    In this episode of Ten Minute Tuesday, Joey breaks down some of his go-to strategies for early season goose hunting. With seasons opening across Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota, the focus is on keeping things simple: smaller decoy spreads, good scouting, realistic family groups, and making sure your hide is right before worrying about everything else. Joey explains why he typically starts the season with just two to three dozen silhouettes spread out in loose family groups, rather than throwing a massive spread at local birds that haven’t seen much pressure yet. He also gets into when he starts adding more decoys, how molt migrators can completely change the setup, why early season calling should usually stay simple, and why watching how real geese behave in the field is more valuable than following a rigid spread formula. There’s also plenty of discussion about layout blinds, A-frames, silage fields, grass hides, and why early season goose hunting can be frustrating when hot weather keeps birds from moving. If you’re getting ready for goose opener or trying to improve your early season Canada goose hunting, this episode is a straightforward look at scouting, decoys, calling, concealment, and knowing when not to throw the kitchen sink at the birds. Thanks for listening to the Midwest Flyways Podcast! Be sure to check out the Flyways Hunt Club for even more exclusive content every week.   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

    Early Season Goose Hunting Tips

  4. 4d ago

    John Walls; Champion of Champions

    This week on the Midwest Flyways Podcast, the crew sits down with three-time World Goose Calling Champion and Champion of Champions John Walls at Game Fair. John talks about getting into contest calling nearly 20 years ago, finishing second at Worlds over and over again, and eventually breaking through to win three straight World Goose Calling Championships before taking home Champion of Champions. The guys get into what finally changed, how much John actually practices these days, and some of the ridiculous callers he's competed against along the way. From there, they get deep into goose calling. John talks about the sounds he still can't quite figure out, his favorite calls to use on hunting birds, reading geese, knowing when to back off, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is put the call down and let the birds work. John also shares stories from his time working for Fred Zink, tuning goose calls all day, learning from some of the best callers and hunters in the industry, and an unbelievable September hunt in New York where thousands of migrating Canada geese poured across the border. The guys also talk bands, including John finding a goose band sitting in the bottom of a stream, losing entire lanyards, his most meaningful band, hunting the Eastern Shore, and everything he's learned chasing waterfowl around the country. Topics Covered: •John's three straight World Goose Calling Championships •Winning Champion of Champions •Nearly 20 years of contest calling •Reading birds and knowing when to call •John's most meaningful goose band •Eastern Shore goose hunting •An insane September Canada goose migration in New York Thanks for listening to the Midwest Flyways Podcast! Be sure to check out the Flyways Hunt Club for even more exclusive content every week.   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

    John Walls; Champion of Champions

  5. Sep 3

    Ducks Rode the Railroad Pt. 2

    This week on the Midwest Flyways Podcast, the crew picks up Part 2 of the history of duck hunting by train, continuing Tuesday’s story of how railroads helped transform waterfowl hunting across Minnesota and the Dakotas. The guys dive into railroad tycoon James J. Hill and his son Louis, who took train-based duck hunting to another level with private railcars outfitted specifically for hunting. At Lake Christina, trains reportedly even blew their whistles along the shoreline to flush massive groups of ducks and create shooting opportunities for hunters. But this wasn’t just something wealthy railroad owners were doing. Regular hunting parties traveled across Minnesota and into Dakota Territory using specially equipped railcars, with one documented expedition taking 634 ducks and 250 geese, along with other game. The conversation also explores how railroads helped establish legendary Minnesota waterfowl destinations like Lake Christina, Mud Lake, Lake Traverse, and Ten Mile Lake. As hunters discovered productive areas, permanent camps and prestigious gun clubs began appearing, helping shape the early duck hunting culture we still recognize today. And, naturally, the history lesson gets sidetracked by private train cars with garages, punt guns, dirty pop cans, airplane drinks, and the guys debating exactly what year they'd choose if they could go back for one day of Minnesota duck hunting. Topics Covered: •Duck hunting by railroad •James J. Hill and Louis Hill •Private hunting railcars •Lake Christina's waterfowl history •Trains flushing ducks for hunters •How railroads changed waterfowl hunting •Going back in time for one historic duck hunt Thanks for listening to the Midwest Flyways Podcast! Be sure to check out the Flyways Hunt Club for even more exclusive content every week.   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

    Ducks Rode the Railroad Pt. 2

  6. Sep 1

    History Lesson: Ducks Rode the Railroad Pt. 1

    In this episode of Ten Minute Tuesday, the guys kick off Part 1 of a history lesson about a time when Minnesota duck hunters didn’t drive to the marsh, they took the train. As railroads expanded across Minnesota in the late 1800s, they opened access to remote lakes, marshes, and prairie potholes that had previously taken days to reach. Hunters followed the tracks, and the railroad quickly became a major part of Minnesota’s early duck hunting culture. Of course, the guys don’t get very far before the history lesson goes completely off the rails. Between arguing about how smooth trains were in the 1800s, debating old railroad technology, and imagining what a modern duck hunting trip by train would look like, there’s plenty of joking around mixed in with the history. Eventually, they get into specialized hunting cars equipped with sleeping quarters, kitchens, game storage, and dog kennels, along with the actual Railroad Gun Club, whose train car essentially served as a mobile duck camp. The episode finishes at Lake Christina, where railroad access helped turn the famous canvasback lake into one of Minnesota’s legendary waterfowl destinations. This is only Part 1 of the story. Part 2 continues Thursday on the Midwest Flyways Podcast, with more railroad history, duck hunting stories, and probably a few more arguments about trains. Thanks for listening to the Midwest Flyways Podcast! Be sure to check out the Flyways Hunt Club for even more exclusive content every week.   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

    History Lesson: Ducks Rode the Railroad Pt. 1

  7. Aug 28

    Sports Guyz Only; Fantasy Draft Disaster

    It's fantasy football draft day, and all four guys are finally back in the studio to build their teams for the new Sports Guyz Only dynasty league. With only four teams and a loaded player pool, you'd think it would be impossible to screw this up. The guys immediately prove otherwise. From Gavin taking Josh Allen way earlier than anyone expected to Carter grabbing Brock Bowers in the third round, the trash talk starts almost immediately. Nathaniel goes all-in on youth and unproven running backs, Gavin builds a roster designed to win now and worry about retirement later, and everyone spends most of Cal's picks trying to convince him he's making a horrible mistake. Everyone tries to balance winning this season with actually having a functional dynasty roster three years from now. Once the draft ends, it's time to decide who actually won. The guys rank all four rosters and make their predictions for who finishes first—and who is destined for the basement. Somehow, even after 28 rounds, nobody is willing to admit anyone else's team might be better. Plus: •The best and worst reaches of the draft •Deshaun Watson's future in Cleveland •The NFL getting rid of the Pro Bowl •Minnesota's latest NBA additions •Discovering the wonderful world of netball It's fantasy football strategy mixed with questionable dynasty planning, immediate draft regret, and four guys completely convinced everyone else's roster sucks. Good luck with your own fantasy drafts, and thanks so much for listening to Sports Guyz Only!    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

    Sports Guyz Only; Fantasy Draft Disaster

  8. Aug 27

    Are Duck Hunters Getting Soft?

    This week on the Midwest Flyways Podcast, Cal and Carter are joined by Gavin for a shorter episode after wrapping up two weekends at Game Fair. With duck season right around the corner, the guys get into a debate about why waterfowl hunter numbers are declining and whether duck hunters simply aren’t as hardcore as they used to be.  The conversation covers everything from declining Minnesota waterfowl stamp sales and habitat loss to drain tile, public land access, and the changing effort hunters are willing to put in. Are fewer people hunting because there are fewer ducks and fewer places to hunt, or have modern hunters become less willing to walk into a field, knock on doors, battle bad weather, and put in the work? That leads into a bigger discussion about how technology has changed the outdoors. OnX has made finding landowners easier, modern hunting gear is better than ever, and tools like LiveScope have completely changed fishing. The guys debate whether technology is lowering the barrier to entry or simply changing what it means to be a hardcore outdoorsman. Plus, the crew recaps Game Fair, talks about the excitement of early goose season getting closer, and Gavin explains why he still keeps detailed notes on everything from weather and wind to the exact conditions surrounding a successful hunt. Topics Covered: •Why waterfowl hunter numbers are declining •Are today's duck hunters getting soft? •Drain tile and waterfowl habitat loss •Knocking on doors vs. paying an outfitter •How hunting technology has changed •Getting ready for early goose season Thanks for listening to the Midwest Flyways Podcast! Be sure to check out the Flyways Hunt Club for even more exclusive content every week.
   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

    Are Duck Hunters Getting Soft?
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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.

Information

  • Creator
    Midwest Flyways
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    550
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Midwest Flyways Podcast

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