Ducks Unlimited Podcast

MONTHLY SPONSORS
Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.com
Mossy Oak - https://www.mossyoak.com/
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

Why does some venison taste gamey, and what can hunters do to prevent it?

Ascend host Adrian Jessen sits down with wild-game chef Cate Meade, a former Top 4 MasterChef finalist and Chopped: Castaways competitor, to talk about cooking, hunting, foraging, and building a deeper connection with the food on your plate.

Cate explains why overcooking and under-seasoning are two of the biggest mistakes people make with venison. She also explains when a salted milk soak helps, why she prefers dry brining, how ingredients like mustard, garlic, and herbs complement wild game, and why the right finishing temperature matters.

The conversation goes beyond venison. Cate discusses growing up in Chicago, discovering hunting with her father, competing on reality television, foraging for morels and wild plants, safely identifying mushrooms, and turning her connection with the outdoors into a culinary career.

In this episode:

• Why venison can develop a strong or “gamey” flavor
• How milk, salt, and dry brining affect wild game
• The danger of overcooking venison
• Cate’s favorite venison dish
• A simple wild-game recipe for reluctant cooks
• Safe and responsible foraging
• What reality cooking competitions are really like
• Learning to judge doneness by touch
• Respecting and using what you harvest

Learn more about Cate and find her recipes:
https://www.wildwoodschef.com/

Follow @wildwoodchef on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Listen now: https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

SPONSORS:

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.

If you're a believer, and especially if you're not, don't miss this year's edition of DU Halloween.

In this edition, Cam Hale and Kyle Philson of Expanded Perspectives Podcast team up with Ducks Unlimited’s Wade Shoemaker and onX's Lake Pickle for more unsettling stories from the woods and skies. Lake walks us through the most harrowing night he's ever had in the woods... and the only experience he's had that defies natural explanation. From there, Cam and Kyle recount viewer-submitted stories about the Jersey Devil, the white coyote of Comanche, a Thunderbird spotted over Alaska, and a few about everybody's favorite cryptid: Bigfoot.

Sponsored by onX.
@onXHunt

These stories are presented as personal accounts, listener submissions and folklore for entertainment and discussion.

Watch the secret episode and continue into the Unlimited Scares playlist using the links below.

SECRET EPISODE:
UNLIMITED SCARES: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFYq1yV30ntJgv1mNsES2ASAxJ9jthYXg
EXPANDED PERSPECTIVES: http://www.expandedperspectives.com/
@expandedperpectives@dosamigosproductions

ONX: @onXHunt
Lake Pickle:@lake.dilpickle @lakepickle
Wade Shoemaker: @wadeshoemaker

#Halloween #ScaryStories #ExpandedPerspectives

Listen now: https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

SPONSORS:

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.

MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.comSavage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

Sometimes the hunting is great. Sometimes it isn't. The best trips are the ones you'd take either way.

Recorded late at night after the final hunt of Paloma Blanco 2026, host Wade Shoemaker sits down with John Dunaway, Barton Ramsey, and Ryan Yarnell for an unfiltered conversation about friendship, family, traditions, and why one South Texas dove hunt has become a yearly reunion for some of the outdoor industry's closest friends.

What started as a small gathering of friends has evolved into a multi-generational tradition that now includes kids, grandkids, chefs, outdoor brands, nonprofit fundraising, and stories that grow with every passing year. The group reflects on the origins of Paloma Blanco, the people who make it special, and why meaningful traditions don't happen overnight. They are built one year, one friendship, and one memory at a time.

Topics Covered

• How Paloma Blanco grew from a simple dove hunt into a tradition
• The role friendship plays in building meaningful experiences
• Why the hunting often becomes secondary to the people
• Raising kids around outdoor traditions and community
• The Golden Ticket fundraiser and conservation impact
• Lessons on hospitality, generosity, and building culture
• Why anyone can create their own version of Paloma Blanco
• The value of time spent outdoors with people you care about

Listen now: https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

SPONSORS:

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.

MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.comSavage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

Duck season is underway in the Northeast, and early reports point to strong local production, excellent goose movement, and promising hunting conditions heading into late fall.

Host Dr. Mike Brasher welcomes Joe Albanese, Ducks Unlimited Migration Alert Editor for the Northeastern U.S., for a look at how the season is shaping up across New York, New England, and the Atlantic Coast. From wood ducks and black ducks to ringnecks, sea ducks, and brant, Joe shares what hunters are seeing on the landscape and what recent weather patterns mean for migration.

The conversation covers habitat conditions, goose migration, weather influences, coastal sea duck reports, and why some of the Northeast's best hunting opportunities are happening on overlooked wetlands and small waters. Joe also explains how tidal marshes, weather, and local habitat conditions affect bird movement throughout the region.

Topics Covered

• Early-season migration conditions in the Northeast
• Strong goose flights and local duck production
• Wood duck, black duck, and ringneck reports
• Sea duck and brant migration updates
• How weather and habitat are shaping bird movement
• Hunting opportunities on small ponds and wetlands
• Tidal marsh hunting and coastal migration patterns
• What hunters should expect over the next few weeks

Listen now: https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

SPONSORS:

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.

What would you do if an invisible figure leapt through the trees above your stand? If you told anybody, they might say you're crazy! Or maybe they've seen it too...

Kyle Philson and Cam Hale of Expanded Perspectives Podcast join Ducks Unlimited’s Wade Shoemaker and Lake Pickle of onX to explore the Glimmer Man: a transparent, human-shaped figure described by hunters and other witnesses around the world. What began with two similar reports grew into an archive of hundreds of stories, collected for you in a new Glimmer Man book. Expanded Perspectives is giving away 10 autographed copies free of charge; use the approved entry link and official rules below.

The group follows one of its most unsettling accounts as the woods fall silent, a watchman-like figure clambers through the treetops, and two hunters realize they had the same encounter with the unknown. Then the conversation turns to Not Deer, the Crossett Light, three orbs circling an Arkansas duck blind, and a 300-pound hog pulled off in the night without a trace.

Sponsored by onX.
@onXHunt

These stories are presented as personal accounts, listener submissions and folklore for entertainment and discussion.

Watch the secret episode and continue into the Unlimited Scares playlist using the links below.

SECRET EPISODE:
UNLIMITED SCARES: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFYq1yV30ntJgv1mNsES2ASAxJ9jthYXg
EXPANDED PERSPECTIVES: http://www.expandedperspectives.com/
@expandedperpectives@dosamigosproductions

ONX: @onXHunt
Lake Pickle:@lake.dilpickle @lakepickle
Wade Shoemaker: @wadeshoemaker

#Halloween #ScaryStories #ExpandedPerspectives

Listen now: https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

SPONSORS:

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.
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MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.comSavage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

Building a successful brand at 19 years old isn’t easy. Building one around creativity and authenticity is even harder.

Recorded live at DUX 2026, host Matt Harrison sits down with Colton Patterson, founder of Broken Bow, to discuss art, country music, entrepreneurship, and the creative journey that turned a niche social media page into one of the most recognizable brands in outdoor and country culture.

Colton shares how posting artwork inspired by old country music, hunting magazines, and rural traditions eventually led to a rapidly growing audience, partnerships with major artists, and a full-time creative career. The conversation explores the challenges of building a business at a young age, the importance of staying authentic, and why passion has to come before success.

Along the way, Colton talks about his love for duck hunting, growing up in Tennessee and Alabama, songwriting, social media, and the influence of family, mentors, and outdoor traditions on the work he creates today.

Topics Covered

• The origin story of Broken Bow
• Building a brand through artwork and storytelling
• Growing a social media audience organically
• Creating hand-drawn artwork in the digital age
• Country music influences and collaborations
• Entrepreneurship at a young age
• The role of hunting and the outdoors in creativity
• Advice for aspiring artists and creators
• Staying authentic while growing a business

Listen now: https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

SPONSORS:

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.

MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.comSavage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

Waterfowl season is underway across the Great Lakes, and the first major migration movement has already arrived.

Host Dr. Mike Brasher welcomes back Jay Anglin, Ducks Unlimited Migration Alert editor and Great Lakes outdoorsman, for a mid-season look at waterfowl migration, hunting conditions, and what hunters can expect over the next few weeks.

Jay breaks down the recent weather systems that brought gale-force winds to the Great Lakes, how those conditions influenced duck and goose movement, and why hunters are seeing strong goose flights, increasing numbers of divers, and encouraging signs from locally produced mallards. The conversation also explores habitat conditions across the region, fall fishing opportunities, and why the Great Lakes remain one of North America's most overlooked outdoor destinations.

Topics Covered

• Early-season migration conditions across the Great Lakes
• Goose migration, diver movement, and local mallard production
• How recent storms impacted bird distribution
• Conditions in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Indiana
• Water levels, habitat quality, and late broods
• What hunters should expect over the next few weeks
• Why the Great Lakes offer world-class outdoor opportunities
• Fishing, deer hunting, and the fall experience beyond waterfowl

Listen now: https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

SPONSORS:

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.

MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.comSavage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

What happens when someone with no hunting background discovers the outdoors for the first time at 30 years old?

Recorded live from DUX 2026, host Matt Harrison sits down with Christian Zeron, along with Austin Collins of the Quack Shack Podcast, to discuss hunting, conservation, culture, and why the outdoors has had such a profound impact on his life.

Christian shares how a lifelong fascination with outdoor culture eventually led him into duck hunting, turkey hunting, and conservation. Coming from New Jersey with little exposure to hunting traditions, he describes what it was like stepping into a completely new world and discovering a community that welcomed him with open arms. Along the way, the conversation explores regional stereotypes, public perceptions of hunting, the value of conservation organizations, and why protecting wildlife habitat is a responsibility that transcends politics and geography.

The discussion also highlights the role podcasts, social media, and personal relationships play in introducing new people to hunting and helping them understand the conservation mission behind it.

Topics Covered

• Discovering hunting later in life
• Christian’s first duck and turkey hunting experiences
• Breaking cultural stereotypes about hunters
• The welcoming nature of the outdoor community
• Conservation and habitat protection
• Why Ducks Unlimited matters
• Public perception of hunting and conservation
• Outdoor culture in rural America
• The power of storytelling and social media

Listen now: https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

SPONSORS:

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.

MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.comSavage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

The best partnerships in the outdoor industry aren't built at trade shows—they're built in duck blinds, dove fields, and places where people have time to connect.

In this freestyle episode of the Ducks Unlimited Podcast, Wade Shoemaker sits down at Honey Brake Lodge with Parker Amos (Duck Commander/Buck Commander), Brett Maffet (Benelli USA), and Stephen Findley (Vertical Marketing) for an unscripted conversation about hunting, business, authenticity, and the people who shape the outdoor industry.

What starts as a recap of a partner retreat quickly turns into a conversation about career paths, outdoor media, faith, mentorship, and the relationships that often matter more than the brands themselves. The group shares stories from dove hunts, private flights, Honey Brake experiences, and even a few reflections on Phil Robertson, Si Robertson, and the impact Duck Commander has had on modern hunting culture.

More than anything, this episode highlights why genuine relationships continue to drive an industry built around shared experiences outdoors.

Topics Covered

• Why Duck Commander brought partners together at Honey Brake
• Building authentic relationships in the outdoor industry
• Brett Maffet's path from cabinet hardware to Benelli USA
• Stephen Findley's work with brands across the outdoor space
• The lasting influence of Phil and Si Robertson
• Why authenticity matters in hunting and business
• Honey Brake's unique culture and guest experience
• How hunting connects people from different backgrounds

Listen now: https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

SPONSORS:

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.

MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.comSavage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

If you've ever heard something strange in the woods and wondered what it was, you're not alone.

Recorded live from DUX 2026, host Wade Shoemaker sits down with Cam Hale and Kyle Philson of the Expanded Perspectives Podcast to talk about hunting, outdoor traditions, unexplained encounters, and the stories that often come from time spent deep in the woods.

The conversation explores how Expanded Perspectives grew from a small podcast into one of the largest platforms dedicated to strange encounters and listener-submitted stories. Along the way, Cam and Kyle discuss the origins of the "Glimmer Man" phenomenon, mysterious experiences reported by hunters, Bigfoot sightings, and why so many outdoor stories begin in the darkness before daylight.

Just as importantly, the discussion focuses on curiosity, keeping an open mind, and understanding that not every outdoor experience has an easy explanation. Whether you're a skeptic, a believer, or somewhere in between, this episode is a fascinating look at the stories hunters share when the hunt is over.

Topics Covered

• The origins of Expanded Perspectives
• How listener stories shaped the show
• The “Glimmer Man” phenomenon
• Strange hunting camp encounters
• Bigfoot stories and eyewitness reports
• Outdoor folklore and unexplained experiences
• Why hunters tell the best stories
• Keeping an open mind about the unknown
• The role of storytelling in outdoor culture

Listen now: https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

SPONSORS:

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.

MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.comSavage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

Migration is in full swing across the prairies, and the reports coming from the heart of waterfowl country are encouraging.

Dr. Mike Brasher, DU's Senior Waterfowl Scientist, sits down with John Pollmann, DU Migration Alert Editor, to discuss the latest habitat conditions, migration activity, and hunting success across Prairie Canada and the northern United States.

Good water and strong bird numbers have hunters enjoying consistent success across much of Prairie Canada, while drier conditions on the U.S. prairies have led to more scattered birds and uneven hunting. Mike and John discuss the latest migration activity and what current conditions could mean for hunters farther down the flyway.

Topics Covered

• Current habitat and hunting conditions across Prairie Canada
• How abundant rainfall improved wetland conditions and waterfowl habitat
• Reports of strong migrations of mallards, whitefronts, snow geese, and other species
• Why Canadian prairie hunters are experiencing consistent success this fall
• Hunting conditions and bird numbers across the U.S. prairies
• How weather patterns are influencing migration timing and bird movements
• What upcoming cold fronts, snow, and north winds could mean for migration
• Why current prairie conditions are good news for hunters farther down the flyway

Listen now: https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

SPONSORS:

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.

What would make someone leave camp, sell every piece of hunting and fishing gear he owned—and never go back?

Cam Hale and Kyle Philson of Expanded Perspectives join Ducks Unlimited’s Wade Shoemaker and Lake Pickle from onX for a DU Halloween special filled with unsettling stories from hunters, anglers and people who spend time beyond the pavement.

The group follows accounts of a hog apparently crushed against a tree, small figures carrying a rabbit through the Arkansas woods, a hunting bag that returned on its own, missing hunters, black panther sightings and six strange figures beside Bloody Creek. They also ask an important question: when does an unexplained encounter have an ordinary answer, and when does it change the way someone sees the woods forever?

Sponsored by onX.
@onXHunt

These stories are presented as personal accounts, listener submissions and folklore for entertainment and discussion.

Watch the secret episode and continue into the Unlimited Scares playlist using the links below.

SECRET EPISODE:
UNLIMITED SCARES: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFYq1yV30ntJgv1mNsES2ASAxJ9jthYXg
EXPANDED PERSPECTIVES: http://www.expandedperspectives.com
@expandedperpectives@dosamigosproductions

ONX: @onXHunt
Lake Pickle:@lake.dilpickle @lakepickle
Wade Shoemaker: @wadeshoemaker

#Halloween #ScaryStories #ExpandedPerspectives

Listen now: https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

• (00:00) - Halloween Special Kickoff
• (01:28) - Dogman Ranch Encounter
• (04:05) - Crushed Hog Mystery
• (05:35) - BFRO Bigfoot Pig Snatch
• (09:21) - Arkansas Gnome Hunters
• (13:06) - Rabbit Foot Payback
• (14:43) - Duende Sightings Explained
• (17:09) - Tricksters And Offerings
• (20:56) - Louisiana River Cryptids
• (24:11) - Rationalizing The Unseen
• (26:57) - Oz Effect And Fae Music
• (28:25) - Missing 411 And The Veil
• (31:56) - Hunters Vanish Without Trace
• (32:53) - When Dogs Won’t Track
• (33:24) - Explaining The Unexplainable
• (34:09) - Elk Bugle Misread
• (35:30) - Credibility Of Witnesses
• (36:10) - Bigfoot Sighting Quits Hunting
• (38:32) - Rancher Bigfoot Confession
• (39:28) - Panther Warnings And Proof
• (41:34) - Centaur Road Encounter
• (42:28) - Mississippi Black Panther Debate
• (44:15) - Biology Of Black Panthers
• (46:48) - Puckwedgie Creek Encounter
• (50:15) - Oz Effect And Tiny Humanoids
• (56:12) - Bones And Never Returning
• (57:50) - Final Thoughts And Farewell

MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.comSavage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

Winning the Junior Duck Stamp Contest changed Madison Grimm’s life. Now she’s helping save hundreds of ducks...

Host Katie Burke is joined by wildlife artists Adam Grimm and Madison Grimm during the Federal Duck Stamp Contest to discuss art, conservation, and how a childhood passion for painting ducks led to one of the most unique waterfowl projects in the country.

The conversation begins with the Duck Stamp Contest and the challenges artists face when competing at the highest level. From there, Madison shares the remarkable story behind Second Chance Flight, a nonprofit that rescues duck eggs and ducklings displaced during farming operations across the Prairie Pothole Region. What started with a backyard aviary has grown into a conservation effort involving farmers, wildlife agencies, researchers, banding projects, and even GPS-equipped ducks helping answer important scientific questions.

This episode is equal parts art, conservation, and innovation—and a reminder that one person’s passion can create real impact for waterfowl.

Topics Covered

• The 2026 Federal Duck Stamp Contest
• How judges evaluate Duck Stamp artwork
• Madison Grimm’s Junior Duck Stamp success
• Building a backyard aviary in the Prairie Pothole Region
• The origins of Second Chance Flight
• Rescuing duck eggs, ducklings, pheasants, and turkeys
• Working with farmers across South Dakota
• GPS transmitters, banding, and waterfowl research
• The future of conservation through community involvement

Listen now: https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

SPONSORS:

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.

MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.comSavage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

Sometimes the things that feel like setbacks turn out to be the moments that change your life.

Host Wade Shoemaker sits down with Eric Seymore, founder of Rise, for an honest conversation about faith, family, turkey hunting, cancer, and the unexpected journey that led to one of the fastest-growing faith-based brands in the outdoor space.

Eric shares the story behind his cancer diagnosis, a Bible reading that shifted his perspective, and a failed turkey hunt that ultimately became the catalyst for launching Rise. What began as a handful of hats and shirts designed to share a personal story has evolved into a movement centered around faith, hunting, family, and authenticity.

The discussion explores the challenges of starting a business with no apparel experience, the importance of trusting the process, and how unexpected opportunities like NWTF and DUX helped accelerate the growth of the brand. Along the way, Eric reflects on parenting, purpose, entrepreneurship, and why keeping the main thing the main thing continues to guide every decision.

Topics Covered

• The story behind the Rise brand
• A cancer diagnosis and its impact on perspective
• Faith, purpose, and personal growth
• The turkey hunt that inspired a movement
• Building a company from the ground up
• Family, parenting, and raising kids with strong values
• NWTF, DUX, and the growth of Rise
• Entrepreneurship and trusting the process
• Supporting others through storytelling

https://www.riseturkeyhunting.com/

Listen now: https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

SPONSORS:

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.

MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.comSavage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

Rice fields do more than grow food. They provide critical habitat for millions of ducks, shorebirds, and other wildlife across North America.

In the first installment of a special agriculture-focused series, host Dr. Jerad Henson is joined by Misty Adams, Kyle Soileau, and Regina Stafford of Ducks Unlimited’s conservation delivery team to discuss the Rice Stewardship Program and the role working lands play in waterfowl conservation.

The conversation explores how DU partners with rice producers across Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and California to deliver conservation practices that improve water efficiency, support wildlife habitat, enhance soil health, and help keep farmers profitable. The group also discusses incentive-based programs, water management technologies, conservation easements, and the future of rice production in a rapidly changing agricultural landscape.

Topics Covered

• The origins of the Rice Stewardship Program
• Why rice fields are critical waterfowl habitat
• Working lands conservation in California and the Mississippi Alluvial Valley
• Water management and irrigation efficiency
• Surface water vs. groundwater challenges
• Winter flooding and wildlife benefits
• Conservation incentives for rice producers
• The future of rice farming and waterfowl habitat
• How DU works with farmers to deliver conservation at scale

Listen now: https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

SPONSORS:

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.

MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.comSavage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

Sometimes the best outdoor products start with a simple question: “Why hasn’t anyone fixed this yet?”

Host Wade Shoemaker sits down with Gabe Fontenot, founder of Hunt Repellent, to talk about entrepreneurship, duck hunting traditions in Southwest Louisiana, and building one of the fastest-growing outdoor brands in the industry.

Growing up around the rice fields and marshes of Louisiana, Gabe developed a lifelong passion for waterfowl hunting. After finding success in corporate sales, he launched Hunt Repellent with a mission to create a DEET-free alternative designed specifically for outdoorsmen and women. The conversation covers the challenges of starting a company from scratch, navigating product development and EPA approval, growing a business at a rapid pace, and building a brand that resonates with hunters.

The discussion also explores family hunting traditions, teal hunting culture, entrepreneurship, customer service, and the lessons Gabe has learned while scaling a business and staying connected to the outdoors he loves.

Topics Covered

• Growing up duck hunting in Southwest Louisiana
• Teal season culture and rice field hunting
• Building Hunt Repellent from the ground up
• Developing a DEET-free insect repellent
• Entrepreneurship and business growth
• Balancing corporate experience with startup life
• Perry Outfitters and serving local hunters
• The future of Hunt Repellent
• Why authenticity matters in business and hunting

Listen now: https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

SPONSORS:

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.

MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.comSavage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

Some people spend a lifetime chasing ducks. Others spend a lifetime protecting what makes duck hunting possible.

Recorded live from DUX 2026, host Wade Shoemaker sits down with Fred Zink and Jim Ronquest, co-hosts of Ducks Unlimited TV, for a conversation about waterfowl hunting, conservation, friendship, and the evolution of the sport over the last several decades.

The discussion covers their experiences filming DUTV, the importance of habitat and conservation, changing migration patterns, memorable hunts, and the people who have helped shape modern waterfowl culture. Along the way, Fred and Jimbo reflect on decades of friendship, the role Ducks Unlimited plays in protecting the resource, and why time spent with family and friends matters more than a full strap of ducks.

The group also talks about new apparel collaborations, favorite hunting destinations, and what they’re most looking forward to in the upcoming season.

Topics Covered

• The evolution of Ducks Unlimited TV
• Friendship and lifelong hunting partnerships
• Conservation and habitat management
• Changes in duck migration and distribution
• Private refuges and waterfowl habitat
• Favorite hunting destinations across North America
• New DU and Drake collaborations
• Family, tradition, and hunting memories
• Advice for the next generation of hunters

Listen now: https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

SPONSORS:

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.

MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.comSavage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

For the guys behind 24.7 Hunt, duck hunting is about a lot more than ducks.

Recorded live from DUX 2026, host Wade Shoemaker sits down with Ricky Nicholas, Ranar Moody, Darryl Moore, Darius Shine, and Aubrey Mack of 24.7 Hunt to talk about the culture, friendships, and shared passions that built one of the most recognizable communities in modern waterfowling.

The conversation covers everything from public land hunting and dog training to entrepreneurship, brand building, social media, and the influence of Southern hunting traditions. Along the way, the group explains how their different backgrounds came together through a shared love of duck hunting and why community remains at the center of everything they do.

They also discuss their new collaboration with Apex Ammunition, the evolution of the 24.7 Hunt brand, and the importance of staying authentic while introducing new hunters to the sport.

Topics Covered

• The origins of 24.7 Hunt
• Building a community through waterfowl hunting
• Southern hunting culture and traditions
• Public land hunting and lifelong friendships
• The new Apex Ammunition collaboration
• Why authenticity matters in hunting media
• Dog training, fishing, and outdoor lifestyles
• Raising the next generation of hunters
• Conservation and stewardship

Listen now: https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

SPONSORS:

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.

MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.comSavage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

What if supporting waterfowl conservation was as simple as rounding up your everyday purchases?

Recorded live from DUX 2026, host Jimbo Robinson sits down with Zach Frasier of Elev8 to discuss DU Roundup, a new fundraising platform designed to make supporting Ducks Unlimited easier than ever.

The conversation explores how the program works, why micro-donations can create a meaningful impact when combined across thousands of supporters, and how modern giving habits are changing the way conservation organizations engage members. Zach also shares insights into the technology behind the platform, donor security, and the philosophy of making charitable giving more accessible for everyday supporters.

Beyond the technology, the discussion highlights the importance of philanthropy, building conservation habits, and creating new pathways for people to support Ducks Unlimited’s mission regardless of their giving level.

Topics Covered

• What DU Roundup is and how it works
• Turning everyday purchases into conservation support
• The role of micro-donations in fundraising
• Donor engagement and modern philanthropy
• Security and payment processing behind the platform
• Building new conservation giving habits
• DUX 2026 and community support
• The future of digital fundraising for conservation

Listen now: https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

SPONSORS:

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.

MONTHLY SPONSORS

Old Timer Knives - https://www.theoldtimer.comSavage Arms - https://savagearms.com
Weatherby - https://weatherby.com
Morton Buildings - https://mortonbuildings.com
Duck Club Bourbon - https://duckclubbourbon.com

Hunters have observed and debated changes in duck migration and winter distributions for as long as both have existed. Now, new research helps answer some of the biggest questions.

In this special collaboration between the Ducks Unlimited Podcast and the North American Waterfowler Podcast, DU's Senior Waterfowl Scientist, Dr. Mike Brasher, joins Elliott Snider; Dr. Lisa Webb, Supervisor, USGS Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Program; and Dr. Heath Hagy, Project Leader, USFWS Habitat and Population Evaluation Team, to break down the findings of two recent studies that shed light on this captivating and hotly contested topic.

The studies and conversation explore more than 60 years of waterfowl band recovery, harvest survey, and distribution data to examine whether ducks are wintering farther north than they once did. The group discusses what the studies found, where migration patterns appear to be changing, where they're not, and why answering these questions is far more complicated than many people realize.

Topics Covered

• Are ducks wintering farther north?
• What 60 years of band recovery data reveals
• Differences between mallards, pintails, and blue-winged teal
• Why migration changes vary by species and month
• The role of weather, habitat, and agriculture
• What hunters see versus what large-scale datasets show
• How migration science is studied and evaluated
• What questions still remain unanswered
• How none of this would be possible without hunters

Access to the study evaluating changes in 15 species of ducks: https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jwmg.22521

Access to the more detailed study on changes in mallards, pintails, and blue-winged teal: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.11331

Access to the DU Magazine article and additional maps: Understanding Waterfowl: Ducks on the Move | Ducks Unlimited

Listen now: https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

SPONSORS:

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.