Ducks Unlimited Podcast

Latest Episodes:

RELOADED EP244 | Picking a Puppy Jun 07, 2025

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It’s the off season and you’re thinking about a new retriever. Mike Stewart, owner and operator of Wildrose Kennels, joins Chris Jennings to discuss the Wildrose process. There’s a lot more to picking out a new hunting partner than showing up and picking a dog from a litter, and Stewart brings his decades of experience to the show to discuss the best ways to approach picking a puppy.

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

Ep. 683 - Reassortment and Genetic Change in Bird Flu - Why It Matters Jun 05, 2025

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Dr. Lisa Kercher, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, joins Dr. Mike Brasher and Kayci Messerly for a lesson in Virology 101 and an update on the hunt for genetic changes in highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Learn about the process of reassortment, how it produces new viruses, and how these changes influence the evolving risks of HPAI. Dr. Kercher also shares stories from her mobile testing lab (BIRDWATCH), including experiences and anxious days in the field with duck researchers and banding crews and how her work is accelerating the detection of HPAI and viral changes in wild ducks. Listen in for a deeper understanding of the avian influenza virus and how hunters can continue playing a vital role.

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

Ep. 682 - Bird Declines Continue, But What About Ducks? Jun 03, 2025

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Since 1970, North America has lost nearly 3 billion birds, and while ducks and geese have long been a bright spot, their lights are dimming. On this co-branded episode, join Ramsey Russell of "It's Duck Season Somewhere," as he interviews Dr. Mike Brasher and breaks down bird declines by major groupings and explains why birds are disappearing—some faster than others. Also discussed are the challenges of celebrating successes without become complacent and a reminder that hunter-funded conservation matters now more than ever. Amid these declines, what can be done to bring them back?

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org
Download the report: https://www.stateofthebirds.org/2025/

RELOADED EP134 | Retriever Training & Tools w/ Tom Dokken May 31, 2025

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Tom Dokken, owner of Dokken’s Oak Ridge Kennels, joins the DU Podcast to talk about exciting new products from SportDOG Brand. Dokken brings more than 45 years of retriever training experience to the podcast and he discusses the changes in training over that span.

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

Ep. 681 - History of the Labrador (Part 1 of 3): Origins May 29, 2025

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In this episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast, host Nathan Ratchford and co-host John Gordon welcome special guest Craig Koshyk, a passionate dog historian, photographer, and author of Pointing Dogs, Volume One: The Continentals. Together, they trace the early origins of the Labrador Retriever—from the rugged coastlines of Newfoundland to its journey across the Atlantic. Craig brings his deep knowledge of sporting breeds to the conversation, unpacking the breed’s original purpose, key historical figures, and the environmental conditions that shaped one of the most iconic hunting dogs of all time.

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

Ep. 680 - Keep Your Dog Hunt-Ready This Summer May 27, 2025

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Host John Gordon returns with a chance encounter turned memorable episode, featuring field trial trainer Hunter Hastings. Their story starts at a gas station in Crockett, Texas, where a shared love of retrievers sparked a connection. In this episode, they talk about off-season training—how to keep your retriever in shape, avoid heat stress, and stay ready for fall. Whether you're training for the field or just keeping your pup active, you’ll find useful advice and a great conversation rooted in the DU community spirit.

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

RELOADED EP115 | Summer Retriever Training Focus May 24, 2025

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Host Chris Jennings is joined by Mike Stewart, owner of Wildrose Kennels to discuss retriever training during the peak of summer heat. Stewart brings to light several training, nutrition, and health tips to keep your retriever in shape and safe from heat stroke.

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

Ep. 679 - Retriever Safety Pt 2: Cold-Weather and Hunting Season May 22, 2025

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Hosts Dr. Jerad Henson and Nathan Ratchford welcome back Dr. Jason Robinson for a deep dive into cold-weather safety during hunting season. This Ducks Unlimited Podcast episode focuses on how to prevent hypothermia, recognize cold-related injuries like limber tail, and keep your retriever warm, conditioned, and ready in the blind all season long.

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

Ep. 678 - Chesapeake Bay Retriever: History, Training, and Companionship May 20, 2025

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In this episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast, host John Gordon is joined by Paul McKinnon from Prince Edward Island to dive into the profile of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Paul shares his experiences training his dog, Jaxie. The conversation highlights the bond between a handler and their dog, the importance of solid training, and the joy of learning together. Tune in to hear insights about this remarkable breed and the dedication that goes into training them.

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

RELOADED EP109 | Off Season Duck & Goose Calling May 17, 2025

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Jay Anglin joins host Chris Jennings to discuss a few calling tips for the summer, including tuning and cleaning your calls. Summer is the ideal time to get your calls into working order and Anglin even discusses shipping calls back to call makers for tuning and replacement parts. You want to address any calling issue now, rather than wait until opening day.

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

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