Midwest Flyways Podcast

Midwest Flyways

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. History Lesson, The Herter’s Legend

    1d ago

    History Lesson, The Herter’s Legend

    In this episode of Ten Minute Tuesday, the guys take a deep dive into the fascinating history of Herter’s—the legendary catalog company that helped shape Midwest hunting culture for generations. Long before online shopping, big-box outdoor retailers, and social media influencers, hunters eagerly waited for the annual Herter’s catalog to arrive in the mail, packed with everything from duck decoys and calls to boats, waders, and hunting camp essentials.   The episode explores the story of founder George Leonard Herter, whose larger-than-life marketing style turned a small Minnesota sporting goods business into one of the most influential hunting brands in America. From the famous “Model Perfect” slogan and outrageous product claims to the rise of Herter’s decoys, boats, and hunting gear, the guys break down how the company changed waterfowl hunting forever and became a cornerstone of Midwest outdoor culture.   They also discuss the lasting legacy of Herter’s, why old catalogs have become collector’s items, and how many of the marketing tactics and gear debates hunters see today trace their roots back to the original hunting empire built in Waseca, Minnesota.   If you love waterfowl history, vintage hunting gear, and the stories behind the brands that shaped the sport, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Thanks so much for listening 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

    12 min
  2. Sports Guyz Only; Playoff Problems

    5d ago

    Sports Guyz Only; Playoff Problems

    This week on Sports Guyz Only, the crew dives headfirst into playoff season as hockey heartbreak and NBA drama take center stage. The guys break down what went wrong for the Colorado Avalanche, whether the Minnesota Wild are actually closer to contention than people think, and what moves need to happen this offseason to finally bring a Stanley Cup to Minnesota.   On the hardwood, the conversation gets heated as the Knicks continue their surprising playoff run, the Timberwolves face tough questions about chemistry and leadership, and the crew debates whether Anthony Edwards has what it takes to become the franchise-changing superstar Minnesota desperately needs. Is Julius Randle the problem? Did the Karl-Anthony Towns trade really make sense? And how much does team chemistry matter compared to pure star power?   Plus: Why Connor McDavid’s next contract could reshape the NHL The case for blowing up parts of the Wild roster SGA’s free-throw numbers and the NBA’s flopping problem Prime Shaq vs. Jokic, Wemby, and every modern big man The value of coaches, leadership, and locker-room culture NFL arrests, off-field issues, and whether teams should do more to keep players out of trouble The biggest athletes who bet on themselves—and lost   As always, it’s sports debates, questionable takes, playoff overreactions, and the kind of conversations that only happen when the Guyz get together. Thanks so much for listening 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

    1h 3m
  3. Banded Birds and Hunting Banter

    6d ago

    Banded Birds and Hunting Banter

    In this episode of the Midwest Flyways Podcast, the crew dives into everything from replica duck bands and waterfowl conservation to predator management and bizarre wildlife facts. The guys swap stories about banded birds, discuss the rising costs of replica bands for mounts and lanyards, and debate the realities of predator control for ducks, turkeys, and other nesting birds. They also break down fascinating coyote behavior, wolf population controversies, and the “circle of life” moments every outdoorsman witnesses eventually.   Of course, it wouldn’t be Midwest Flyways without plenty of off-the-rails banter — including Bad Santa discussions, James Bond debates, Patrick Star references, and Joey trying to claw his way back in the standings as the episode wraps up with another round of Say What?!, featuring record-setting ducks, mourning doves, canvasbacks, and more.   If you love hunting culture, waterfowl conservation, hilarious tangents, and hanging out with friends talking outdoors, this one’s for you. Thanks so much for listening 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

    40 min
  4. History Lesson: Duck Calls

    May 26

    History Lesson: Duck Calls

    In this episode of Ten Minute Tuesday, the guys dive into the fascinating history of duck calls — from hunters using live decoy ducks and mouth calling in the 1800s to the rise of legendary call makers like P.S. Olt, Victor Glodo, Chick Major, and Phil Robertson. They break down how early mechanical calls changed waterfowl hunting forever, the origins of competitive duck calling in Stuttgart, Arkansas, and how modern duck calls evolved into both hunting tools and pieces of personal identity for hunters everywhere.   The episode also explores the split between contest calling and real-world hunting calling, the impact duck calls have had on hunting pressure over the decades, and why understanding the history behind the calls hanging on your lanyard matters. If you’re a duck hunter, call collector, or just love waterfowl history, this one is packed with stories, trivia, and insight into one of hunting’s most iconic tools.   Thanks so much for listening 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

    12 min
  5. Sports Guyz Only; Bully Ball

    May 22

    Sports Guyz Only; Bully Ball

    This week on Sports Guyz Only, the boys are back in the studio — bruised, injured, and talking reckless. What starts as a backyard foot race quickly turns into accusations of false starts, torn plantar fascia, and one of the most heated “who’s actually faster?” debates in podcast history.   After the chaos settles down, the crew dives deep into the NBA playoffs, breaking down the Timberwolves’ collapse, Julius Randle frustrations, Anthony Edwards’ future, and whether a Giannis trade could actually happen. They also debate Victor Wembanyama’s unreal potential, the dominance of prime Shaq, and build some wild all-time NBA 3-on-3 matchups featuring LeBron, Kobe, KD, Steph, T-Mac, and more.   Plus: Why Minnesota sports fans are emotionally broken The pain of Vikings playoff history Could Philly survive a Flyers championship? Why Shaq might still be the most dominant athlete ever   As always, it’s sports, trash talk, hot takes, and absolute nonsense — just how we like it. Thanks so much for listening 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

    55 min
  6. Midwest Flyways After Dark

    May 21

    Midwest Flyways After Dark

    On this episode of the Midwest Flyways Podcast, the boys kick things off by talking about YouTube cracking down on hunting content and why building the Hunt Club community has become more important than ever for duck and goose hunters who just want authentic, uncensored content. From there, the conversation goes completely off the rails—in the best possible way.   The crew dives into old-school hunting shows, Game of Thrones and Yellowstone hot takes, hilarious Eric Andre clips, turkey hunting stories, Appalachian cryptids, Skinwalker Ranch, duck hunting in the Middle East, and the rising cost of hunting gear and diesel. As always, the episode is packed with the kind of random rabbit holes, trash talk, and hunting camp humor that Midwest Flyways listeners know and love.   To wrap things up, the guys battle it out in another round of “Say What?” featuring wild waterfowl facts, bird trivia, and some seriously questionable guessing skills.   If you’re into duck hunting, goose hunting, waterfowl culture, and unfiltered conversations with the boys, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Thanks so much for listening 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

    47 min
  7. The Mississippi Flyway

    May 19

    The Mississippi Flyway

    In this week’s Ten Minute Tuesday, we dive into the rich history of the legendary Mississippi Flyway — the river system that helped shape waterfowl hunting culture across America. From indigenous hunters navigating flooded timber in dugout canoes to the rise of market hunting, steamboat duck commerce, elite duck clubs, and the birth of iconic destinations like Stuttgart, Arkansas, this episode explores how one river became the backbone of North American duck hunting history.   We break down the incredible scale of the Mississippi Flyway, the migration patterns that still define modern hunting today, and the stories that built the traditions many waterfowlers continue to live for every fall. This is Part 1 of a two-part history series, covering the southern and central reaches of the flyway before heading north next week.   If you love waterfowl history, duck camp stories, conservation culture, and the roots of the hunt, this episode is for you.   Subscribe to The Midwest Flyways Podcast and join the Flyways Hunt Club community for more weekly episodes, stories, and conversations centered around the future and heritage of waterfowl hunting.   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

    12 min
  8. Sports Guyz Only; NBA IS RIGGED

    May 15

    Sports Guyz Only; NBA IS RIGGED

    Sports Guyz Only is back in studio and absolutely ripping through one of the wildest weeks in sports. The crew dives deep into the Wolves-Spurs playoff controversy, debating whether the NBA is protecting superstars, how sports gambling may be influencing officiating, and why fans are losing trust in pro sports. There’s also a heated breakdown of Giannis trade scenarios, Julius Randle’s playoff struggles, and bold NBA Finals predictions.   On the NHL side, the guys talk Wild playoff hockey, why depth matters more than grit in the postseason, Colorado injuries, Vegas hate, and what it would mean for Minnesota to finally bring home a Stanley Cup. Plus: Rory McIlroy catches heat for withdrawing over a blister, NFL culture gets called out again after another player arrest, and the crew debates whether LeBron should retire or chase one more ring.   As always, expect chaos, gambling degeneracy, conspiracy theories, Minnesota sports pain, and unfiltered takes from start to finish. Thanks so much for listening 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

    52 min
4.9
out of 5
1,033 Ratings

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.

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