Ducks Unlimited Podcast

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RELOADED EP217 - Waterfowl Harvest Management Series, Part 8: Adapting to Change, 1970s to the 1990s Apr 25, 2026

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The ideas of “fair” and “equitable” in harvest distribution have been a challenging undercurrent for regulatory decisions over the years. Dale Humburg and Ken Babcock join the DU Podcast one last time to discuss zones and splits, “shortstopping” in geese, the frustration it caused, and how managers tried to adapt. Also discussed are lead poisoning, non-toxic shot regulations, and the birth of Adaptive Harvest Management, each of which brought their own need for adaptation.

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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.

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.

DU’s National Convention: Tampa, Celebration & a $3 Billion Milestone (Ep 767) Apr 23, 2026

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CONVENTION SPONSORS: Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails, Benelli, & Raymond James.

The Ducks Unlimited National Convention is more than a meeting — it’s a celebration of people, conservation, and one of the greatest fundraising achievements in conservation history.

In this episode, host Jimbo Robinson is joined by DU President Bob Spoerl, National Convention Chair Jared Brown, and Managing Director of National Conferences Pattie Kempka for a full preview of the 2026 Ducks Unlimited National Convention in Tampa, Florida. From opening night at the Florida Aquarium to the culmination of DU’s historic $3‑billion conservation campaign, this conversation breaks down why the national convention is unlike any DU event at the state or local level.

The group walks listeners through the full week — fishing tournaments, conservation tours, business sessions, recognition events, keynote speakers, and the energy that comes with gathering more than a thousand committed DU volunteers and supporters in one place.

Whether you’re a longtime volunteer, a first‑time convention attendee, or someone who has supported DU in any way over the past few years, come hear why Tampa is the place to be!

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Water in the West: Snowpack, Alaska, and Duck Conservation (Ep 766) Apr 21, 2026

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Water drives everything in the western United States — and right now, it’s increasingly scarce.

In this episode, Ducks Unlimited's senior waterfowl scientist, Dr. Mike Brasher, sits down with Jeff McCreary, director of operations for the Western Region, to discuss waterfowl conservation across the Pacific Flyway. From declining snowpack and drying wetlands to competing water demands from agriculture, people, industry, and fish, Jeff breaks down the realities DU faces — and the solutions they’re working toward. He also introduces the new Alaska Initiative and how it will inform the future of conservation in the Pacific Flyway's most important area for breeding waterfowl.

The conversation spans the Central Valley of California, Klamath Basin, Great Salt Lake, and Alaska, highlighting how DU operates in some of the most complex and water‑limited landscapes in North America.

In this episode:

Why snowpack is the single most important driver of wetlands in the West
How declining snow and rising temperatures affect ducks, farms, and cities
Current wetland conditions in California’s Central Valley and Klamath Basin
Botulism risk and innovative water management solutions in Klamath
Why rain helps short‑term but snowpack determines fall habitat
The drying trend across the western U.S. and climate implications
Great Salt Lake: why it matters to millions of birds and people
DU’s $100 million Great Salt Lake Initiative explained
Controlling “the thirsty three” invasive plants: phragmites, tamarisk & Russian olive
Alaska’s outsized role in producing Pacific Flyway waterfowl
DU’s new Alaska Initiative – Born to Fly
Working with native corporations, agencies, and industry in Alaska
Why conservation in Alaska is about understanding — not restoration
Surprising work DU does on endangered fish recovery
Keeping the Junior Duck Stamp program alive in Washington State

This episode offers a rare behind‑the‑scenes look at how DU operates where water is most precious — and why collaboration, science, and community matter more than ever.

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RELOADED EP216 - Waterfowl Harvest Management Series, Part 7: Stabilized Harvest Analyses & The NAWMP Apr 18, 2026

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The 1970s and 80s brought a flurry of activity, including early teal seasons, stabilized regulations, foundational analyses of compensatory vs. additive mortality, new views on harvest management, and the most important development for waterfowl management in at least 50 years – the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Repeat guests Ken Babcock and Dale Humburg rejoin the DU Podcast to continue a discussion about the history of waterfowl harvest management.

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ASCEND: Training a Hunting Dog While Raising a Family (Ep 766) Apr 16, 2026

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Can you raise a hunting dog without sacrificing your family or your sanity?

Bethany Beathard sits down with professional dog trainer Destiny Thomasson of Hund + Soul to talk about training gun dogs in real life. They cover puppy foundations, introducing gunfire safely, managing training with kids at home, and keeping dogs conditioned year-round.

This episode is for women who want working dogs and functional family life, without perfection or expensive gear.

Topics include:

Choosing the right breed for your lifestyle
Puppy training basics that actually transfer to the field
Introducing dogs to gunfire safely
Budget-friendly training alternatives
Finding community and mentorship in dog training

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(IG) Instagram

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.

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Gun Dogs Done Right: Training, Patience & Passion (Ep 765) Apr 14, 2026

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Great gun dogs aren’t built overnight — they’re shaped through patience, consistency, experience, and mentorship.

In this episode, host Jimbo Robinson sits down with Adam Campbell of Campbell’s Hillside Kennels, a certified gun dog instructor based in Alabama, to talk deeply and honestly about training dogs, developing young pups, and building lifelong partnerships between handlers and dogs.

Adam shares his journey from small‑town Alabama to professional dog training, the mentors who shaped his approach, and the philosophy that guides everything he does — from puppy development to finished, hunt‑ready dogs. The conversation blends practical advice with heartfelt stories about legacy, discipline, parenting, and the importance of unseen work.

In this episode:

Adam Campbell’s path from schoolteacher to professional dog trainer
How strong mentorship can change the trajectory of a life
Why the first 6 months of a puppy’s life are critical
Introducing gunfire the right way — and avoiding gun shyness
The difference between started, seasoned, and finished dogs
How hunt tests (AKC Master Hunter) fit into real‑world hunting
Why experience matters more than perfection
Managing dog burnout and winding dogs down after season
Longevity in modern gun dogs: nutrition, supplements & care
Picking the litter vs. picking the puppy
Why work ethic matters more than raw talent
Training mindset parallels between dogs, sports & parenting
Passing discipline, humility, and love of work to the next generation

Packed with wisdom, laughs, and perspective, this episode is as much about life as it is about dogs.

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RELOADED EP210 - Waterfowl Harvest Management Series, Part 6: Biology, People & Debates Produce Solid Foundations Apr 11, 2026

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Threats of a closed season in the Mississippi Flyway in 1968 led to intense disagreement, restrictive regulations, and amplified the challenges of managing the resource while considering the interests of people. Collectively, these times generated solid foundations for future progress. Dr. Mike Brasher is rejoined by Ken Babcock and Dale Humburg to discuss these topics, while also introducing an elegant alternative regulation system that began in the 1960s– the Point System.
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Inside One of the Greatest Decoy Assemblies Ever Sold: The Jim & Diane Cook Collection (Ep 764) Apr 09, 2026

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One of the most important events in the history of decoy collecting is about to unfold.

Host Katie Burke sits down with Jon Deeter of Guyette & Deeter Auction Company to discuss the Jim & Diane Cook Collection — a 400‑piece assemblage widely regarded as the most valuable and significant decoy collection ever assembled. The collection will be offered at auction beginning this April during the North American Decoy Collectors Association (NADCA) show.

In this episode, Jon shares the story behind Jim Cook — a visionary entrepreneur, avid waterfowler, and early conservationist — and how his passion, resources, and eye for quality shaped a once‑in‑a‑generation collection that spans nearly every major carving region in North America.

In this episode:

Who Jim Cook was and how the collection came together
Why this is one of the most important decoy events ever
How Guyette & Deeter vetted nearly 400 top‑tier decoys
The role of private collectors in preserving decoy history
Jim Cook’s early prairie pothole conservation efforts
Why now is a historic moment for new collectors
The importance of collection provenance and maker stamps
Why collections break up — and why it matters for the hobby
How collectors, museums, and historians benefit from this sale

The conversation then dives deep into highlights from the collection, including works by Joe Lincoln, Elmer Crowell, the Ward Brothers, Robert Elliston, Charlie & Edna Perdew, and Enoch Reindahl — explaining why these pieces matter and what sets them apart.

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

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ASCEND: Women, Wilderness, and the Will to Provide: Homesteading & Gator Wrangling (Ep 763) Apr 07, 2026

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Discover how modern women are reclaiming ancestral skills—from raising and processing their own meat to handling unexpected encounters with Florida gators.

Host Bethany Beathard sits down with Tiffany Sanders, homesteader, hunter, nurse, and nuisance‑gator responder, to explore what self‑sufficiency really looks like in today’s world. Tiffiny shares firsthand stories from the field, including the wildest gator call she and her husband ever responded to, how her children got involved, and what it’s like navigating communities that protect nuisance wildlife.

The conversation shifts into the heart of Tiffiny’s work: empowering women to take ownership of their food sources. From home butchering and dispatching animals humanely to growing nutrient‑dense produce, she teaches women that you don’t have to be “born” into homesteading to thrive in it. Her background as a nurse opened her eyes to the connection between diet and health—and sparked her drive to grow and raise food intentionally.

Together, Bethany and Tiffany dig into the historical roots of women feeding their families, the rise in self‑sufficiency post‑COVID, and why today’s homesteaders are simply rediscovering what women have always done.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

The wild reality of nuisance‑gator calls—and how Tiffiny ended up in the middle of one neighborhood’s “gator protection squad”
Why nursing school led Tiffiny to grow, raise, and process her own food
How women historically provided for their families through gardening, preserving, and animal harvesting
Why more women are learning dispatching and butchering skills today
The importance of humane, low‑stress animal processing on small homesteads
How COVID reshaped food security and sparked a self‑sufficiency movement
Garden staples Tiffiny never goes without—especially her obsession with red potatoes
Why perfection isn’t the goal—intentionality is

Follow along with Bethany for more homesteading conversations, practical skills, and stories from women who live close to their roots.

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RELOADED EP209 - Waterfowl Harvest Management Series, Part 5: Conventional Wisdom Gives Way to Data Apr 04, 2026

Show notes

With growing band recoveries and a newly implemented Breeding Population and Habitat Survey, waterfowl managers in the 1950s sought a more science-based understanding of population dynamics and harvest regulations. The 1960s brought plummeting waterfowl populations, reductions in harvest limits, declining hunter numbers, and shifts in waterfowl distribution. On this episode, Dr. Mike Brasher discusses these important changes and concerning times with Dale Humburg and Ken Babcock.

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

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