Ducks Unlimited Podcast

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Spring Land Management Primer: What to Do Now for a Better Duck Season (Ep 762) Apr 02, 2026

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Spring is one of the most critical — and overlooked — periods for creating great duck hunting in the fall. In this episode, host Matt Harrison is joined by experienced land manager Guy Halbert to break down what spring land management really looks like and why the work done now sets the table for the entire waterfowl season.

From one of the driest springs in recent memory to drawing down moist‑soil units, improving timber stands, controlling invasive vegetation, and planning for planting season, Guy shares real‑world experience, practical advice, and hard‑earned lessons from managing duck habitat year‑round.

In this episode:

Why spring is the foundation of successful duck season
Managing through an unusually dry spring
Timber stand improvement: thinning, girdling & releasing oaks
Why sunlight and diversity matter in duck woods
How to read vegetation & decide when to plant vs. let it grow naturally
The value of keeping management notes & logs year‑to‑year
Crop rotation concepts for duck food
Moist‑soil management vs. planted crops like corn & millet
Water control: the single most important management factor
Advice for first‑time landowners and new duck managers
Common mistakes & why slowing down saves money and habitat

If you’ve ever said “duck season will take care of itself,” this episode explains why spring is when the real work — and success — begins.

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

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Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks Unlimited
Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.

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ASCEND: Carrying in the Field: How Women Stay Safe, Confident, and Prepared Outdoors (Ep 761) Mar 31, 2026

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Learn how women are taking safety, confidence, and responsibility into their own hands—both in the field and everyday life.

Professional shotgun shooter and DU Ascend host Julia Stallings sits down with Audrey Wikan, Drake Waterfowl spokeswoman and former gun‑industry marketer, to discuss what women need to know about concealed carry, field carry, legal realities, holsters, draw practice, and staying equipped on hunts.

Audrey shares her early experiences working behind a gun‑store counter at age 19, why women beelined to her with questions, what she carries now, and how she mentors new shooters. Together, they unpack the realities of traveling with firearms, carrying while hunting or fishing, choosing the right gun, staying legal across state lines, and building confidence through training and mentorship.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why more women are choosing to carry in the outdoors
Training, mentorship, and how to find the right firearm
Holsters, appendix vs. backpack carry, and drawing safely
What to know about carrying while hunting, fishing, or hiking
Traveling with firearms: TSA tips, ammo rules, and packing hacks
Understanding caliber choices, recoil, and comfort for smaller hands
Why confidence and comfort determine whether you’ll actually carry

Subscribe and join this exciting journey to explore, learn, and grow together in the outdoor world.
Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend.

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

RELOADED EP205 - Waterfowl Harvest Management Series, Part 4: Post War Pioneers & Flyway Information Mar 28, 2026

Show notes

World War II brought global upheaval in the 1940s and caused a redirection of national priorities and placed a temporary pause on regulatory and conservation momentum of the 1930s. After the war, returning veterans became the pioneers in waterfowl management and led to a new era of scientific discovery, regulatory creativity, and a growing need for state and federal coordination via Flyways. The DU Podcast continues its discussion with Ken Babcock and Dale Humburg.

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

Prairie Habitat Update & Spring Migration Timing with Dr. Scott Stephens (Ep 760) Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

Ducks are heading north, and we’re getting the first hints of what breeding habitat may look like this spring.

DU's senior waterfowl scientist, Dr. Mike Brasher, sits down with Dr. Scott Stephens, DU's senior director of conservation strategy, for a timely update on prairie conditions, recent snowfall, runoff potential, and what these early signs may mean for breeding ducks in 2026. They also break down the migration chronology of different duck species — who arrives first, who lingers longest, and why evolutionary history shapes these patterns.

In this episode:

A flyover view of recent prairie snowfall and soil moisture
Where runoff potential looks promising — and where it doesn’t
How dry wetland basins from last fall influence spring habitat recovery
Why “some water” doesn’t equal “full recovery”
The importance of seasonal vs. semi‑permanent wetlands for brood success
How multiple years of improved conditions are needed for strong fall flights
Migration timing: early (mallards, pintails), mid (shovelers, teal, divers), and late (gadwall, scaup)
Why ducks “follow the ice line” and how late storms disrupt timing
Boreal nesters vs. prairie nesters — who waits for the thaw
Canada geese and snow geese movement patterns during March–April
Long‑term conservation reminders: habitat base matters more than any one wet year

Join us for a concise, informative episode for anyone tracking habitat conditions and dreaming about next fall’s duck season.

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

Early Season Turkey Talk: Weather, Tactics & Stories from the Spring Woods (Ep 759) Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

Spring turkey season has arrived — and while the weather has been unpredictable and the gobblers uncooperative at times, that won’t stop host Matt Harrison, his brother Michael Harrison, and friend Trent Camden from diving into the opening‑week action.

The trio breaks down their hunts from the first few days of Mississippi’s season, including successful youth hunts, tough cold mornings, henned-up gobblers, green woods that feel “ahead of schedule,” and the wild behavior that makes turkey season so addictive. Along the way, they share lessons learned, personal stories, and real‑world tips for hunters at all experience levels.

In this episode:

Opening‑week reports: gobbling activity, flock dynamics & weather impacts
Why birds seem “ahead of schedule” this year
Calling strategies when gobblers aren’t vocal
Dealing with henned‑up toms & broken‑up flocks
Patience, timing, and understanding mid‑morning movement
How weather (cold, sun, wind) changes where birds want to be
Patterning early-season gobblers vs. late-season behavior
Chase stories, close calls & first‑time turkey successes
Populations: jakes, hens, and hatch observations across MS & LA
Lessons from the hunt: adapting, looping ahead, staying patient

Whether you’re new to turkey hunting or a seasoned spring addict, this episode is packed with the relatable highs, lows, and “what just happened?” moments that make chasing longbeards so special.

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

RELOADED EP204 - Waterfowl Harvest Management Series, Part 3: Growing Pain & Progress Mar 21, 2026

Show notes

Into the 1920s, the Federal government endured growing pains in its new-found regulatory responsibilities for waterfowl harvest. Then, the 1930s brought a Dust Bowl, Great Depression, and catalysts for conservation, eventually producing the Duck Stamp Act, National Wildlife Refuge expansions, Pittman-Robertson Act, and organizations such as DU. Dr. Mike Brasher resumes his discussion with Ken Babcock and Dale Humburg about the history of waterfowl harvest management.

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

Spring Habitat Matters: Waterfowl Management Academy on Better Wetlands for Ducks (Ep 758) Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

Spring is one of the most important—and most overlooked—periods in the waterfowl annual cycle. In this episode, host Dr. Mike Brasher sits down with the creators of Waterfowl Management Academy to discuss how private landowners can dramatically improve duck habitat by making simple adjustments in late winter and spring.

Guests Kale Flaspohler, Mike Flaspohler, and Dan Crigler bring more than 70 years of combined experience in wetland management, public land habitat work, and private land technical guidance. Their new online platform—WaterfowlManagement.com—is designed to bring that expertise directly to landowners and managers who want to improve their wetlands.

In this episode:

What Waterfowl Management Academy is and why they built it
Why spring habitat is critical for ducks, from migration to nesting
Moist-soil management fundamentals and how timing influences results
Protein, invertebrates, and the nutritional demands of breeding birds
Why pulling boards right after season misses the most important window
How private land (75–80% of remaining wetlands) can change population outcomes
Regional considerations: Midwest vs. Gulf Coast vs. flyway-wide applications
How simple changes like holding water longer can support shorebirds & waterbirds
Mentorship, trial‑and‑error, and the value of lifelong learning in habitat work
What’s next for WMA and how landowners can get hands‑on guidance

Whether you’re a wetland manager, private landowner, or someone wanting to “give back” to ducks after hunting season, this episode can change how you think about habitat.

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

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Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks Unlimited
Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.

Chesapeake Bay Decoys & the Craftsmen Who Shaped Waterfowling History (Ep 757) Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

The Chesapeake Bay is home to some of the richest decoy and waterfowling traditions in North America — and today’s guest, Chad Tragakis, is one of its most passionate historians.

Chad is a longtime decoy collector, writer, editor for Decoy Magazine, and a respected storyteller of the makers, clubs, boats, and communities that built the decoy culture along the Atlantic Flyway. Host Katie Burke sits down with Chad for a wide-ranging conversation that explores the origins of collecting, the legacy of iconic craftsmen, and the unique waterman traditions that still shape the region today.

In this episode:

How a $20 scoter decoy started Chad’s lifelong passion
The foundational books every new collector should read
Chesapeake Bay as the “decoy capital of the world”
Sink boxes, sporting yachts, and the golden era of upper-bay gunning
Why the region produced tens of thousands of working decoys
Haver de Grace vs. Northeast River styles — what sets them apart
How form, tradition, and community shape regional carving
Charlie Joiner’s legacy & what he learned from Mitchell and the Ward Brothers
The culture of shop visits, mentorship, and generational knowledge
Advice for beginning collectors & why building a library matters
The importance of preserving working decoys as American folk art

This episode is a celebration of craftsmanship, history, and the people who keep America’s decoy tradition alive.

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org
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RELOADED EP200 - Waterfowl Harvest Management Series, Part 2: - The Migratory Bird Treaty Act Mar 14, 2026

Show notes

Following legal challenges to early attempts at Federal protection of migratory birds, policy makers and conservation leaders sought alternative avenues for establishing Federal jurisdiction. Dale Humburg and Ken Babcock rejoin Dr. Mike Brasher to discuss the Migratory Bird Treaty Act becoming law in 1918, its role in a landmark Supreme Court case, and its emergence as the foundation for regulated waterfowl harvest and migratory bird management.

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

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Andy Shaver: Guiding 90 Days, Running The Big Honker & Stories From West Texas (Ep 756) Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

West Texas guide, podcaster, storyteller, and full‑time chaos manager — Andy Shaver — joins the DU Podcast.

Hosts Jimbo Robinson and Matt Harrison sit down with Andy for a fast‑moving, hilarious, and insightful conversation about guiding specklebelly hunts, running the wildly successful Big Honker Podcast, building an outfitting operation, and navigating life at Stanfield Outfitters.

From dove season to specks, jiu‑jitsu to podcast growth, and from flatbed‑trailer disasters to rookie‑guide bloopers, Andy brings the candid honesty and humor that Big Honker listeners love.

In this episode:

How Andy became a full‑time guide at Stanfield Outfitters
The origin story of The Big Honker Podcast and how it evolved
Why geese > ducks (according to Andy)
Running 90+ days of hunts and keeping clients happy
The rise of specklebelly hunting in West Texas
What guides look for when hiring new staff
“Post and ghost” — how Andy handles online comments
Jiu‑jitsu, cauliflower ear, and letting his wife drain it
Best guide stories & funniest client moments
What show season looks like for outfitters today
Why Oklahoma became “the rat race”
Life after season: Mexico, turkey season, baseball coaching & podcast grind

If you like hunting stories, honesty, and behind‑the‑scenes truth from a veteran guide, this episode delivers.

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

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