Ducks Unlimited Podcast

Ducks Unlimited Inc.
  • 4.9 (594)
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Ducks Unlimited Podcast is a constant discussion of all things waterfowl; from in-depth hunting tips and tactics, to waterfowl biology, research, science, and habitat updates. The DU Podcast is the go-to resource for waterfowl hunters and conservationists. Ducks Unlimited is the world's leader in wetlands conservation.

  1. ASCEND: Carrying in the Field: How Women Stay Safe, Confident, and Prepared Outdoors (Ep 761)

    1D AGO

    ASCEND: Carrying in the Field: How Women Stay Safe, Confident, and Prepared Outdoors (Ep 761)

    Learn how women are taking safety, confidence, and responsibility into their own hands—both in the field and everyday life. Professional shotgun shooter and DU Ascend host Julia Stallings sits down with Audrey Wikan, Drake Waterfowl spokeswoman and former gun‑industry marketer, to discuss what women need to know about concealed carry, field carry, legal realities, holsters, draw practice, and staying equipped on hunts. Audrey shares her early experiences working behind a gun‑store counter at age 19, why women beelined to her with questions, what she carries now, and how she mentors new shooters. Together, they unpack the realities of traveling with firearms, carrying while hunting or fishing, choosing the right gun, staying legal across state lines, and building confidence through training and mentorship. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why more women are choosing to carry in the outdoorsTraining, mentorship, and how to find the right firearmHolsters, appendix vs. backpack carry, and drawing safelyWhat to know about carrying while hunting, fishing, or hikingTraveling with firearms: TSA tips, ammo rules, and packing hacksUnderstanding caliber choices, recoil, and comfort for smaller handsWhy confidence and comfort determine whether you’ll actually carrySubscribe and join this exciting journey to explore, learn, and grow together in the outdoor world.Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend. Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org SPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation. Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

    1h 5m
  2. RELOADED EP205 - Waterfowl Harvest Management Series, Part 3: Post War Pioneers & Flyway Information

    4D AGO

    RELOADED EP205 - Waterfowl Harvest Management Series, Part 3: Post War Pioneers & Flyway Information

    World War II brought global upheaval in the 1940s and caused a redirection of national priorities and placed a temporary pause on regulatory and conservation momentum of the 1930s. After the war, returning veterans became the pioneers in waterfowl management and led to a new era of scientific discovery, regulatory creativity, and a growing need for state and federal coordination via Flyways. The DU Podcast continues its discussion with Ken Babcock and Dale Humburg. Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org SPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation. Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

    42 min

  3. 6D AGO

    Prairie Habitat Update & Spring Migration Timing with Dr. Scott Stephens (Ep 760)

    Ducks are heading north, and we’re getting the first hints of what breeding habitat may look like this spring. DU's senior waterfowl scientist, Dr. Mike Brasher, sits down with Dr. Scott Stephens, DU's senior director of conservation strategy, for a timely update on prairie conditions, recent snowfall, runoff potential, and what these early signs may mean for breeding ducks in 2026. They also break down the migration chronology of different duck species — who arrives first, who lingers longest, and why evolutionary history shapes these patterns. In this episode: A flyover view of recent prairie snowfall and soil moistureWhere runoff potential looks promising — and where it doesn’tHow dry wetland basins from last fall influence spring habitat recoveryWhy “some water” doesn’t equal “full recovery”The importance of seasonal vs. semi‑permanent wetlands for brood successHow multiple years of improved conditions are needed for strong fall flightsMigration timing: early (mallards, pintails), mid (shovelers, teal, divers), and late (gadwall, scaup)Why ducks “follow the ice line” and how late storms disrupt timingBoreal nesters vs. prairie nesters — who waits for the thawCanada geese and snow geese movement patterns during March–AprilLong‑term conservation reminders: habitat base matters more than any one wet yearJoin us for a concise, informative episode for anyone tracking habitat conditions and dreaming about next fall’s duck season. Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org SPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation. Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

    28 min

  4. MAR 24

    Early Season Turkey Talk: Weather, Tactics & Stories from the Spring Woods (Ep 759)

    Spring turkey season has arrived — and while the weather has been unpredictable and the gobblers uncooperative at times, that won’t stop host Matt Harrison, his brother Michael Harrison, and friend Trent Camden from diving into the opening‑week action. The trio breaks down their hunts from the first few days of Mississippi’s season, including successful youth hunts, tough cold mornings, henned-up gobblers, green woods that feel “ahead of schedule,” and the wild behavior that makes turkey season so addictive. Along the way, they share lessons learned, personal stories, and real‑world tips for hunters at all experience levels. In this episode: Opening‑week reports: gobbling activity, flock dynamics & weather impactsWhy birds seem “ahead of schedule” this yearCalling strategies when gobblers aren’t vocalDealing with henned‑up toms & broken‑up flocksPatience, timing, and understanding mid‑morning movementHow weather (cold, sun, wind) changes where birds want to bePatterning early-season gobblers vs. late-season behaviorChase stories, close calls & first‑time turkey successesPopulations: jakes, hens, and hatch observations across MS & LALessons from the hunt: adapting, looping ahead, staying patientWhether you’re new to turkey hunting or a seasoned spring addict, this episode is packed with the relatable highs, lows, and “what just happened?” moments that make chasing longbeards so special. Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org SPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation. Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

    39 min

  5. MAR 21

    RELOADED EP204 - Waterfowl Harvest Management Series, Part 3: Growing Pain & Progress

    Into the 1920s, the Federal government endured growing pains in its new-found regulatory responsibilities for waterfowl harvest. Then, the 1930s brought a Dust Bowl, Great Depression, and catalysts for conservation, eventually producing the Duck Stamp Act, National Wildlife Refuge expansions, Pittman-Robertson Act, and organizations such as DU. Dr. Mike Brasher resumes his discussion with Ken Babcock and Dale Humburg about the history of waterfowl harvest management. Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org SPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation. Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

    39 min
  6. Spring Habitat Matters: Waterfowl Management Academy on Better Wetlands for Ducks (Ep 758)

    MAR 19

    Spring Habitat Matters: Waterfowl Management Academy on Better Wetlands for Ducks (Ep 758)

    Spring is one of the most important—and most overlooked—periods in the waterfowl annual cycle. In this episode, host Dr. Mike Brasher sits down with the creators of Waterfowl Management Academy to discuss how private landowners can dramatically improve duck habitat by making simple adjustments in late winter and spring. Guests Kale Flaspohler, Mike Flaspohler, and Dan Crigler bring more than 70 years of combined experience in wetland management, public land habitat work, and private land technical guidance. Their new online platform—WaterfowlManagement.com—is designed to bring that expertise directly to landowners and managers who want to improve their wetlands. In this episode: What Waterfowl Management Academy is and why they built itWhy spring habitat is critical for ducks, from migration to nestingMoist-soil management fundamentals and how timing influences resultsProtein, invertebrates, and the nutritional demands of breeding birdsWhy pulling boards right after season misses the most important windowHow private land (75–80% of remaining wetlands) can change population outcomesRegional considerations: Midwest vs. Gulf Coast vs. flyway-wide applicationsHow simple changes like holding water longer can support shorebirds & waterbirdsMentorship, trial‑and‑error, and the value of lifelong learning in habitat workWhat’s next for WMA and how landowners can get hands‑on guidanceWhether you’re a wetland manager, private landowner, or someone wanting to “give back” to ducks after hunting season, this episode can change how you think about habitat. Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org SPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation. Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

    50 min

  7. MAR 17

    Chesapeake Bay Decoys & the Craftsmen Who Shaped Waterfowling History (Ep 757)

    The Chesapeake Bay is home to some of the richest decoy and waterfowling traditions in North America — and today’s guest, Chad Tragakis, is one of its most passionate historians. Chad is a longtime decoy collector, writer, editor for Decoy Magazine, and a respected storyteller of the makers, clubs, boats, and communities that built the decoy culture along the Atlantic Flyway. Host Katie Burke sits down with Chad for a wide-ranging conversation that explores the origins of collecting, the legacy of iconic craftsmen, and the unique waterman traditions that still shape the region today. In this episode: How a $20 scoter decoy started Chad’s lifelong passionThe foundational books every new collector should readChesapeake Bay as the “decoy capital of the world”Sink boxes, sporting yachts, and the golden era of upper-bay gunningWhy the region produced tens of thousands of working decoysHaver de Grace vs. Northeast River styles — what sets them apartHow form, tradition, and community shape regional carvingCharlie Joiner’s legacy & what he learned from Mitchell and the Ward BrothersThe culture of shop visits, mentorship, and generational knowledgeAdvice for beginning collectors & why building a library mattersThe importance of preserving working decoys as American folk artThis episode is a celebration of craftsmanship, history, and the people who keep America’s decoy tradition alive. Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org SPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation. Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

    51 min
  8. RELOADED EP200 - Waterfowl Harvest Management Series, Part 2: - The Migratory Bird Treaty Act

    MAR 14

    RELOADED EP200 - Waterfowl Harvest Management Series, Part 2: - The Migratory Bird Treaty Act

    Following legal challenges to early attempts at Federal protection of migratory birds, policy makers and conservation leaders sought alternative avenues for establishing Federal jurisdiction. Dale Humburg and Ken Babcock rejoin Dr. Mike Brasher to discuss the Migratory Bird Treaty Act becoming law in 1918, its role in a landmark Supreme Court case, and its emergence as the foundation for regulated waterfowl harvest and migratory bird management. Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org SPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation. Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

    27 min
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4.9
out of 5
594 Ratings

About

Ducks Unlimited Podcast is a constant discussion of all things waterfowl; from in-depth hunting tips and tactics, to waterfowl biology, research, science, and habitat updates. The DU Podcast is the go-to resource for waterfowl hunters and conservationists. Ducks Unlimited is the world's leader in wetlands conservation.

Information

  • Creator
    Ducks Unlimited Inc.
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    838
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ducks Unlimited Inc. 2022
  • Show Website
    Ducks Unlimited Podcast

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