Midwest Flyways Podcast

Midwest Flyways
  • 4.9 (1K)
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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. 20h ago

    History Lesson: The Reelfoot Night Riders

    In this episode of Ten Minute Tuesday, the guys continue the story of Reelfoot Lake with Part 2, diving into the violent conflict that erupted over who actually had the right to control the lake. After the earthquakes of 1811 and 1812 transformed dry land into water, generations of local families came to rely on Reelfoot for fishing, hunting, and travel. But when private land claims began colliding with those long-standing public uses, the dispute quickly became much more than a legal argument. The episode gets into the rise of the Night Riders, a masked group that used intimidation and violence as the fight over Reelfoot intensified. The conflict ultimately led to the kidnapping of two men, the killing of Quentin Rankin, a major Tennessee National Guard response, mass arrests, death sentences, and eventually a Tennessee Supreme Court ruling over the lake’s legal status. Along the way, the guys mix the history with plenty of side conversations and joking around, from movie references to earthquakes, ancient seismic detectors, and the strange natural disasters that have shaped different parts of the country. What started as a fight over fishing rights became one of the strangest chapters in American outdoor history. In the end, the courts determined that Reelfoot Lake would be held for public use, helping preserve the same legendary waterfowl destination hunters still recognize today. 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: The Reelfoot Night Riders

  2. 1d ago

    Nick Johnson; The Traveling Waterfowler

    This week on the Midwest Flyways Podcast, Nick Johnson is back for his annual visit to talk waterfowl hunting, traveling the world, and some of the weird stuff he’s tried along the way. Nick and the guys get into everything from old-school duck hunters and spring goose hunting on James Bay to chasing waterfowl in Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Europe, and beyond. They talk about the places Nick has already hunted, the trips still on his list, and why some of the most interesting waterfowl hunting in the world happens far outside the places most hunters ever think about. The conversation also gets into changing hunting regulations in Canada, freelance hunting versus outfitters, and whether the giant pile pictures coming out of Canada and Mexico actually have as much impact on duck populations as people think. Nick breaks down why hunter numbers matter and what he believes really determines whether a hunt is going to be great or miserable: weather, juvenile birds, and how hungry the birds are. Nick also talks about turning Wingshoot Wisconsin into a full-time career, what guiding has taught him about bad hunts, and why keeping the right attitude matters when the birds don’t cooperate. And because it wouldn’t be a Nick Johnson episode without trying something ridiculous, the guys finish with live pigeon decoys, baiting pigeons, hawk attacks, and a few experiments that definitely sounded better on paper. Topics Covered: •Waterfowl hunting around the world •James Bay spring goose hunting •Changes to Canadian hunting regulations •Freelance hunting vs. outfitters •Weather, juvenile birds, and hungry birds •Building Wingshoot Wisconsin •Hunting experiments 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

    Nick Johnson; The Traveling Waterfowler

  3. 4d ago

    Sports Guyz Only; Week One Overreactions

    This week on Sports Guyz Only... Nathaniel is out, Carter's fantasy roster is already under investigation, and the first week of football has given the guys plenty of evidence to determine who does and definitely does not know ball. The Vikings lead things off after a rough opening performance from Kyler Murray that immediately has the guys concerned. The guys break down his bizarre first play, the hits he took, Minnesota's struggling offensive line, and whether the Vikings have another long season of quarterback and protection problems ahead of them. There are at least a few positives, though, with Christian Darrisaw looking like himself again and Justin Jefferson still doing Justin Jefferson things. From there, it's a full NFL Week 1 reaction. Bo Nix disappoints, Baker Mayfield somehow helps put up points despite an ugly performance, the Browns continue finding new ways to make their fans miserable, and the guys start reevaluating a few preseason takes. Carter's fantasy team gets picked apart, Gavin's Josh Allen reach suddenly looks a little smarter, and the early standings provide just enough evidence for Cal and Gavin to declare themselves the side of the studio that actually knows ball. The guys also look ahead to Week 2 with another round of picks and underdog locks. Plus, Caleb Williams' strong start sparks a surprisingly legitimate question: could he eventually become the greatest quarterback in Bears history? Plus: •Christian McCaffrey's latest fantasy concerns •The Browns' unbelievable opening-day record •Lane Kiffin mind games before LSU–Ole Miss •The Packers' recent collapse •Caleb Williams vs. the history of Bears quarterbacks It's Week 1 overreactions, fantasy football victory laps, Vikings frustration, and a whole lot of arguing over who actually knows what they're talking about. 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; Week One Overreactions

  4. 5d ago

    Goose Opener Was Rough

    This week on the Midwest Flyways Podcast, the guys recap a rough Minnesota goose opener and try to make sense of where the birds went. A lot of the geese that had been around for weeks seemed to disappear right before opener, teal reports were all over the place, and plenty of hunters around the state struggled to put together much of a shoot. Cal and Joey talk through their own opener experiences, hunting with the kids, and why early-season birds can change everything in a matter of days. From there, the conversation turns to the conditions heading into duck season. Water is extremely low in parts of Minnesota, some traditional areas are drying up, and the guys compare what they're seeing in the field to the latest waterfowl population numbers. Mallards are reportedly down, while several other species are up, but the amount of ducks they've seen this summer has them questioning whether the current counts are telling the whole story. They talk about survey routes, changing habitat, where birds may be moving, and whether collecting more data could give hunters a better picture of what is actually happening. The guys also get into band superstition, grouse hunting, early-season scouting, and plenty of the usual side conversations along the way. Topics Covered: •Minnesota goose opener •Early teal reports •Taking kids hunting •Low water across Minnesota •Band superstition •Getting ready for duck opener 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

    Goose Opener Was Rough

  5. Sep 15

    History Lesson: How Reelfoot Lake Was Born

    In this episode of Ten Minute Tuesday, the guys kick off Part 1 of the story of Reelfoot Lake, one of the most legendary places in American waterfowl hunting history. Before the duck calls, cypress trees, and famous hunting culture, there wasn’t really a lake at all. That changed during the massive New Madrid earthquakes of 1811 and 1812, when the ground shifted dramatically, drainage patterns changed, and water flooded into the newly lowered landscape. The guys break down just how violent those earthquakes were, including eyewitness accounts of the Mississippi River temporarily appearing to run backward and sections of land dropping by several feet. From there, they look at how the new lake slowly developed into a waterfowl destination, eventually becoming known for huge numbers of ducks, unique hunting traditions, and its role in the early development of duck calling. As usual, the history lesson comes with plenty of side conversations—from trains and earthquakes to infrastructure, old American cities, and just how strange it would be to watch an entirely new lake form in real time. This is only the beginning of the Reelfoot story. Part 2 continues next week, when the guys get into the Night Riders and the violent fight that erupted over who actually controlled the lake. 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: How Reelfoot Lake Was Born

  6. Sep 11

    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

  7. Sep 10

    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?

  8. Sep 8

    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
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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
    555
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Midwest Flyways Podcast

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