The Voice of the Duck Hunter – A Delta Waterfowl Podcast

Delta Waterfowl Foundation
  • 4.7 (49)
  • WILDERNESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to The Voice of the Duck Hunter — the official podcast of Delta Waterfowl, the Duck Hunters Organization. Each episode dives deep into the world of duck hunting, wetland conservation, and the people driving the future of waterfowling. From prairie potholes to Capitol Hill, we share stories and insights from biologists, policy leaders, gear experts, and dedicated hunters who live for migration. Discover how research, habitat conservation, duck production tools, and smart policies keep ducks flying — and why your voice as a duck hunter is more important than ever. Tune in for: -Waterfowl population trends and breeding-ground science -Habitat restoration and conservation policy breakdowns -Gear innovation, retriever training, and hunting strategy -Hunter recruitment and education (First Hunt, University Hunting Program) -Conversations from the marsh — stories, heritage, and community Whether you’re chasing ducks in the prairies, pursuing divers along the coast, hunting them in southern timber, or just a passionate waterfowl enthusiast, this show connects the science and stories that make healthy duck populations and duck hunting possible. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen — and join the movement that uses science-based solutions to produce ducks, conserve prairie wetlands, and ensure the future of waterfowl hunting. Visit deltawaterfowl.org to learn more about our efforts to achieve our vision of abundant ducks and endless opportunities for all waterfowl hunters.

  1. 5D AGO

    Ep. 98 | How Delta Waterfowl Is Fighting for Duck Production (John Devney Interview)

    You hear about wars, politics, and trillions being spent—but as a duck hunter, where do you go to understand the policies that actually impact ducks and the future of hunting? Right here. In this episode, we break down the real work being done behind the scenes to produce more ducks and protect the future of waterfowl hunting. From Delta’s Working Wetlands Program to the Prairie Pothole Water Quality and Wildlife Program, the Migratory Bird Resurgence Initiative, and the new Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative—this is the strategy shaping duck production across North America. Delta Waterfowl’s Chief Policy Officer, John Devney, joins us to explain how these programs work, why they matter, and how they directly impact duck production, distribution, and the future of the hunt. If you care about ducks, habitat, and the future of waterfowl hunting—this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Delta Waterfowl:  https://deltawaterfowl.org  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeltaFans/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deltawaterfowl/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeltaWaterfowl/

    59 min

  2. APR 22

    Ep. 97 | 2026 Duck Season Outlook: What We’re Seeing Right Now | Matt Chouinard & Mike Buxton

    Each spring, official waterfowl surveys help shape the outlook for duck seasons across North America—but at Delta Waterfowl, we don’t wait for reports. Our teams are on the ground year-round across the Prairie Pothole Region, tracking habitat conditions, weather patterns, and wetland health long before the data is released. In this episode, host Joel Brice sits down with Delta Waterfowl Programs Directors Matt Chouinard and Mike Buxton to break down what they’re seeing—and hearing—across the breeding grounds heading into the 2026 season. If you care about duck numbers, habitat conditions, and the future of waterfowl hunting… this is one you need to hear. Website and Social Media Links:  Delta Waterfowl: https://deltawaterfowl.org  Facebook: /DeltaFans/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deltawaterfowl/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeltaWaterfowl/ Delta Waterfowl:  https://deltawaterfowl.org  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeltaFans/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deltawaterfowl/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeltaWaterfowl/

    59 min

  3. APR 9

    Ep. 96 | Rebuilding America’s Refuges | Director Brian Nesvik

    Delta Waterfowl is leading the charge among non-government conservation groups to rebuild the staffing and infrastructure of America’s national wildlife refuges through its Restoring Our Refuges initiative. Stronger public lands mean better habitat for migrating waterfowl—and more quality hunting opportunities for hunters across the country. In this episode, Joel sits down with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik and Delta’s own John Devney at the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Columbus, Ohio. They discuss the current state of the refuge system, why restoring it matters for the future of waterfowl hunting, and how Delta plans to work alongside federal leadership to make a lasting impact. If you care about the future of public lands, habitat, and duck hunting, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Website and Social Media Links:  Delta Waterfowl: https://deltawaterfowl.org  Facebook: /DeltaFans/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deltawaterfowl/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeltaWaterfowl/ Delta Waterfowl:  https://deltawaterfowl.org  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeltaFans/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deltawaterfowl/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeltaWaterfowl/

    52 min

  4. MAR 25

    Ep. 95 | Duck Hunting Ammo Explained: Steel vs HEVI vs Modern Loads | Dan Compton

    Nearly 50 years ago, waterfowl hunting changed forever. What started as a targeted conservation effort—requiring non-toxic shot in select areas—quickly expanded across North America and reshaped the way we hunt ducks and geese. Today, entire generations of hunters have never experienced hunting with lead shot. But the transition wasn’t smooth. Early steel loads in the late 1970s and 1980s were widely criticized for poor performance and inconsistency. Since then, advancements in ammunition technology have dramatically improved effectiveness—and expanded the options available to today’s hunters. So how did we get from those early days of steel… to the high-performance loads we have today? And where is waterfowl ammunition headed next? In this episode, we’re joined by Dan Compton, Global Product Line Director at The Kinetic Group, representing brands like Remington, Federal, and HEVI-Shot. Dan breaks down: The history of non-toxic shot regulationsThe evolution of steel and alternative materialsWhat modern waterfowl hunters need to know about their ammo choicesIf you’re serious about duck hunting, conservation, and getting the most out of your gear—this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Delta Waterfowl:  https://deltawaterfowl.org  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeltaFans/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deltawaterfowl/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeltaWaterfowl/

    54 min

  5. MAR 11

    Ep. 94 | A Historic Milestone for Waterfowl Hunting | John Devney & Jim Fisher

    In this episode, Delta Waterfowl celebrates a monumental milestone: 100,000 people introduced to waterfowl hunting through Delta’s First Hunt program. This achievement marks a historic moment and highlights a bright future for duck and goose hunting across North America. Joining Joel to discuss the significance of this milestone are two of Delta’s most tenured leaders—Chief Policy Officer John Devney and Vice President of Canadian Policy Jim Fisher. Together, they reflect on decades of work growing waterfowl hunting participation and the role Delta chapters have played in mentoring the next generation of hunters. Tune in as we celebrate this incredible accomplishment and what it means for the future of waterfowling. Website and Social Media Links:  Delta Waterfowl: https://deltawaterfowl.org  Facebook: /DeltaFans/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deltawaterfowl/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeltaWaterfowl/ Delta Waterfowl:  https://deltawaterfowl.org  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeltaFans/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deltawaterfowl/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeltaWaterfowl/

    1h 6m

  6. FEB 25

    Ep. 93 | Building a Case: Baiting Under the Microscope | Rich Grosz & Jay Pilgrim

    Welcome back to another episode of Delta Waterfowl’s The Voice of the Duck Hunter.  Two retired U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents join us for a powerful and eye-opening conversation. Rich Grosz — one of our most requested guests — returns, and this time he’s joined by his longtime colleague and friend Jay Pilgrim.  In this episode, we dive deeper into one of the most controversial and commonly misunderstood violations in waterfowl hunting: baiting. How do federal agents detect it? What really counts as baiting? And how do good hunters sometimes find themselves in serious trouble?  Rich and Jay share firsthand stories from decades in the field enforcing federal waterfowl laws, along with lessons every duck hunter should understand before stepping into the blind.  If you care about ethical hunting and protecting the future of waterfowl, this is a must-watch episode. Website and Social Media Links:  Delta Waterfowl: https://deltawaterfowl.org  Facebook: /DeltaFans/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deltawaterfowl/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeltaWaterfowl/ Delta Waterfowl:  https://deltawaterfowl.org  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeltaFans/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deltawaterfowl/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeltaWaterfowl/

    1h 6m

  7. FEB 18

    Ep. 92 | Baiting Laws Explained: Federal Agents Break It Down | Rich Grosz & Jay Pilgrim

    Welcome back to another episode of Delta Waterfowl’s The Voice of the Duck Hunter.  Two retired U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents join us for a powerful and eye-opening conversation. Rich Grosz — one of our most requested guests — returns, and this time he’s joined by his longtime colleague and friend Jay Pilgrim. In this episode, we dig into one of the most controversial and commonly misunderstood violations in waterfowl hunting: baiting. How do federal agents detect it? What really counts as baiting? And how do good hunters sometimes find themselves in serious trouble? Rich and Jay share firsthand stories from decades in the field enforcing federal waterfowl laws, along with lessons every duck hunter should understand before stepping into the blind. If you care about ethical hunting and protecting the future of waterfowl, this is a must-watch episode. Website and Social Media Links: Delta Waterfowl: https://deltawaterfowl.org Facebook: /DeltaFans/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deltawaterfowl/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeltaWaterfowl/ Delta Waterfowl:  https://deltawaterfowl.org  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeltaFans/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deltawaterfowl/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeltaWaterfowl/

    1h 4m

  8. FEB 5

    Ep. 91 | Does Duck Hunting Really Hurt Duck Populations? | Senior Scientist Todd Arnold

    🚨 CHECK OUT OUR GIVEAWAY VIDEO! 🚨 Details and entry info are linked in that videos description. Subscribe to The Delta Network:   ⁨@TheDeltaNetwork⁩   Enter the Giveaway: https://deltawaterfowl.org/pull-up-a-chair-giveaway/ Welcome to Delta Waterfowl’s Voice of the Duck Hunter podcast. When hunters experience a poor season, the natural response is to want to fix it — to take responsibility and be part of the solution. One of the most common reactions we hear after a tough year is, “We’re shooting too many ducks. We need to cut limits or shorten seasons.” But that idea is built on some assumptions that don’t always line up with the science. Today’s guest is Delta Waterfowl Senior Scientist Dr. Todd Arnold, who joins us to break down what decades of research actually show about modern hunting harvest and its impact on duck populations. Todd explains why today’s regulated harvest has an insignificant effect on overall duck numbers — and more importantly, what truly drives duck population growth and decline. If you’ve ever wondered whether hunting pressure is really the problem, or what hunters should be focused on instead, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Delta Waterfowl:  https://deltawaterfowl.org  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeltaFans/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deltawaterfowl/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeltaWaterfowl/

    1h 5m
See All (98)

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
49 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Voice of the Duck Hunter — the official podcast of Delta Waterfowl, the Duck Hunters Organization. Each episode dives deep into the world of duck hunting, wetland conservation, and the people driving the future of waterfowling. From prairie potholes to Capitol Hill, we share stories and insights from biologists, policy leaders, gear experts, and dedicated hunters who live for migration. Discover how research, habitat conservation, duck production tools, and smart policies keep ducks flying — and why your voice as a duck hunter is more important than ever. Tune in for: -Waterfowl population trends and breeding-ground science -Habitat restoration and conservation policy breakdowns -Gear innovation, retriever training, and hunting strategy -Hunter recruitment and education (First Hunt, University Hunting Program) -Conversations from the marsh — stories, heritage, and community Whether you’re chasing ducks in the prairies, pursuing divers along the coast, hunting them in southern timber, or just a passionate waterfowl enthusiast, this show connects the science and stories that make healthy duck populations and duck hunting possible. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen — and join the movement that uses science-based solutions to produce ducks, conserve prairie wetlands, and ensure the future of waterfowl hunting. Visit deltawaterfowl.org to learn more about our efforts to achieve our vision of abundant ducks and endless opportunities for all waterfowl hunters.

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