Ducks Unlimited Podcast

Ducks Unlimited Inc.
  • 4.9 (598)
  • Wilderness
  • Updated Semiweekly

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. 2h ago

    Leadership, Legacy & the Future of the Outdoors At The National DU Convention (Ep 782)

    Recorded at the Ducks Unlimited National Convention in Tampa, this episode brings together leaders from conservation and the outdoor industry to discuss where things are headed. Bob Spoerl, DU’s new Chairman of the Board, and Ken Eubanks, CEO of Rather Outdoors, join host Jimbo Robinson to talk about leadership transitions, conservation milestones, and the challenges facing hunting and fishing today. The conversation explores how outdoor participation is changing, why younger generations are harder to engage, and what it takes to build the next wave of hunters, anglers, and conservationists. From technology and innovation to storytelling and mentorship, this episode offers a candid look at what the future may hold — and what needs to happen to protect it. 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 1m
  2. RELOADED EP231 - Waterfowl Harvest Management Series, Part 14: Sex-specific Regs and Farewell to the Point System

    3d ago

    RELOADED EP231 - Waterfowl Harvest Management Series, Part 14: Sex-specific Regs and Farewell to the Point System

    Dr. Jim Dubovsky, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service central flyway representative, rejoins the DU Podcast to provide nostalgic reflection as he share insights on the role of sex-specific duck regulations, how they were formulated under the point system, and what determined if a bird was worth 10, 15, or 35 points. Despite being conceptually sound, the point system was withdrawn in 1994, largely due to challenges with the practicality of its implementation and enforcement. 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.

    45 min
  3. DUX SERIES: Rough Country & the Modern Hunt (Ep 781)

    5d ago

    DUX SERIES: Rough Country & the Modern Hunt (Ep 781)

    Today’s hunters don’t just rely on skill — they rely on the tools that get them there. In this episode of the DUX Series, host David Schuessler is joined by co‑host Logan Nevins and guest Seth Dortch of Rough Country, one of the fastest‑growing vehicle accessory brands in the outdoor space. From truck lifts and bed systems to fully outfitted UTV builds, Seth shares how Rough Country has evolved from a suspension company into a full‑scale outdoor lifestyle brand — and how that evolution parallels the way modern hunters access, transport, and experience the outdoors. In this episode, listeners will hear about: Seth Dortch’s background growing up in West Tennessee and DU banquetsThe early partnership between Rough Country and Ducks UnlimitedHow Rough Country grew from a small suspension company to a major manufacturerThe role of aftermarket accessories in hunting and outdoor lifestylesWhy modern hunters rely on UTVs and fully customized vehiclesThe rise of UTV accessories and how the category exploded in the last decadeHow Rough Country designs products specifically for hunters and outdoorsmenBed caps, cargo systems, and the “full system” approach to gearThe complexity of fitting products across vehicle makes and modelsHow innovation and competition drive better gear for consumerAmerican manufacturing and the impact on local communitiesWhat Rough Country is bringing to the DUX show in MemphisThis episode highlights how gear and mobility have become essential parts of the modern hunting experience — and how brands like Rough Country are helping drive that evolution. 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.

    36 min

  4. Jun 9

    California’s Central Valley: Water, Wetlands & the Future of Ducks (Ep 780)

    California’s Central Valley is one of the most important — and most intensively managed — waterfowl landscapes in North America. In this episode, host Dr. Mike Brasher is joined by Matt Kaminski, Ducks Unlimited Regional Biologist, and Dr. Dan Smith, DU Waterfowl Scientist, for a deep dive into habitat conditions, conservation challenges, and the future of wetlands in the Pacific Flyway. From highly engineered water systems to changing land use and declining snowpack, the conversation highlights how water management decisions shape waterfowl populations across the entire annual cycle — from breeding to migration and wintering. In this episode, listeners will hear about: Current breeding habitat conditions in the Central ValleyThe role of snowpack and water supply in wetland availabilityWhy California remains critical for wintering AND breeding ducksDeclines in mallard production and possible causesChanges in agriculture, especially rice, and impacts on ducksThe importance of watergrass as a key food resourceHighly engineered water systems and wetland infrastructureSeasonal vs. semi‑permanent wetlands explainedThe concept of “reverse cycle wetlands” and brood habitatWhy summer water is critical — but difficult and expensive to maintainDU and partner programs incentivizing habitat for breeding waterfowlThis episode provides an inside look at one of the most complex conservation landscapes in North America — and how Ducks Unlimited is working with partners to keep it productive for waterfowl. 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.

    55 min
  5. RELOADED EP230 - Waterfowl Harvest Management Series, Part 13: Remembering The Point System

    Jun 6

    RELOADED EP230 - Waterfowl Harvest Management Series, Part 13: Remembering The Point System

    Mathematics was once a required practice in the duck blind, courtesy of the point system of the 70s and 80s. Dr. Jim Dubovsky, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service central flyway representative, joins Dr. Mike Brasher for a trip down memory lane to discuss the origination, objectives, implementation, and critiques of the old point system, a once common regulatory alternative for duck harvest. Although liked and enjoyed by managers and hunters alike, it wasn’t without its challenges.  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.

    37 min

  6. Jun 4

    Sporting Art & Shell Boxes: Collecting the History of Hunting (Ep 779)

    Behind every vintage shell box, calendar, or advertisement is a story — not just about products, but about the history and culture of hunting itself. In this episode, host Katie Burke is joined by Lee Schulz, a long‑time collector of sporting art and hunting-related advertising, live from the North American Decoy Collectors Show. From hotel rooms turned antique shops to decades of collecting rare pieces, this conversation explores a side of the waterfowl world many hunters overlook — the art and artifacts that helped define it. Lee shares how collecting evolved over the last 40 years, the artists behind iconic advertising, and why these pieces still resonate with hunters today. In this episode, listeners will hear about: What sporting art and advertising collectibles areHow Lee got started collecting shell boxes and antique advertisingThe role of hunting culture in shaping early American advertisingWhy companies like Winchester and Remington relied on fine artistsLegendary artists like Philip Goodwin, Lynn Bogue Hunt, and Frank BensonThe connection between early advertising art and duck stamp artistsHow artwork was designed to sell products and tell storiesWhy nostalgia and outdoor heritage are driving renewed interestThis episode offers a fascinating look at the intersection of art, history, and hunting — and why preserving these pieces matters for future generations. 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.

    41 min

  7. Jun 2

    Rice & Ducks: Why Farming Practices Matter for Waterfowl (Ep 778)

    Rice fields aren’t just agricultural landscapes — they’re one of the most important waterfowl habitats in North America. In this episode, host Dr. Jerad Henson is joined by Dr. Ryan Askren of Five Oaks Ag Research & Education Center and Patrick Dill, Ducks Unlimited’s Manager of Agricultural Programs in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley (MAV), to break down the science, management, and real‑world decisions behind rice agriculture and waterfowl habitat. From energy-rich food resources to water management and farming practices, the group explains why rice fields have become a cornerstone of wintering habitat — and what’s at risk as modern agriculture continues to evolve. In this episode, listeners will hear about: The history of rice agriculture and its connection to waterfowlWhy rice fields function as “surrogate wetlands” in the MAVDuck Energy Days explained and why they matterThe massive difference between harvested vs. unharvested rice fieldsHow modern harvesting techniques affect food availabilityResidue management (burning, rolling, disking) and its impact on ducksWhy water depth (2–8 inches) is critical for feeding waterfowlThe importance of invertebrates and diverse food sources in rice fieldsHow infrastructure (levees, impoundments) helps hold water on the landscapeThe role of geese, weather, and timing in food depletionWhy early flooding and late-season water retention matterHow pressure, disturbance, and refuge areas affect duck behaviorThe realities of farming decisions: input costs, markets, and water scarcityEmerging trends in rice production (row rice, AWD irrigation, ratoon crops)Habitat loss risks when rice acres shift to other cropsPractical tips for managing rice fields specifically for waterfowlThis episode connects agriculture and conservation in a way that shows how farm-level decisions directly influence continental duck populations. 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 9m
  8. RELOADED EP224 - Waterfowl Harvest Management Series, Part 12: AHM – Learning, Legacy, and Influence

    May 30

    RELOADED EP224 - Waterfowl Harvest Management Series, Part 12: AHM – Learning, Legacy, and Influence

    In this concluding episode about the implementation of Adaptive Harvest Management, Dr. Jim Nichols and Dr. Mike Brasher discuss the importance of population data, band returns, and harvest estimates in AHM mechanics. This episode wraps up with a reflection on 25 years of liberal regulations, the legacy and influence of AHM beyond waterfowl management, where it ranks in the history of waterfowl management, and thoughts on why it has withstood the test of time. 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.

    40 min
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4.9
out of 5
598 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
    871
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ducks Unlimited Inc. 2022
  • Show Website
    Ducks Unlimited Podcast

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