The Fowl Life

Latest Episodes:

E574 - The Duck Factory Is Under Threat | Chad Belding with Ducks Unlimited Scientists Scott Stephens & Mike Brasher Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

The deadline is August 7th. Act now. ducks.org/save-the-duck-factory https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/24/2026-14995/national-wildlife-refuge-system-request-for-information-on-implementation-of-drain-tile-setbacks The prairie pothole region; stretching across Montana, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and up into Canada, is responsible for producing up to sixty-five percent of the ducks that fly down every flyway in North America. Since the 1960s, duck hunters have invested in 1.7 million acres of wetland easements through duck stamp purchases to protect those wetlands permanently. No drainage. No impact. Forever. That protection is now being threatened. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has published a request for information regarding the 2024 rule that governs tile drain setbacks on those easements, and has signaled an intent to repeal it. If that rule is weakened, those wetlands could lose up to twenty-eight percent of their inundated area in the first year alone. Fewer wetlands means fewer pairs. Fewer pairs means fewer ducks. This is the science. This is what's at stake. Chad sat down with Dr. Scott Stephens, Sr. Director of Prairie and Boreal Forest Conservation Strategy at Ducks Unlimited, and Dr. Mike Brasher, Senior Waterfowl Scientist at Ducks Unlimited, for one of the most important conversations ever recorded on this podcast. They break down what easements are, what tile drainage is, what the 2024 rule does, why it matters, and exactly what you can do right now to protect it. If you've ever bought a duck stamp, you are an investor in this habitat. Your voice matters right now. The comment deadline is August 7th. Go to ducks.org/save-the-duck-factory to sign the petition and submit your comment to the Federal Register. The direct Federal Register comment link is also in the show notes. This episode proudly features Ducks Unlimited and is brought to you by Benelli Shotguns, Nutrien Ag Solutions, MOJO Outdoors, Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels, Corning Ford, LEER Truck Toppers, and GATR Coolers & Drinkware.

E573 - Wisconsin DNR's Taylor Finger on Tracking Waterfowl Migration | The Travel WIsconsin Series Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Midwest host Joel Kleefisch and the single most important tool for migratory patterns. What happened to bird banding?! In this exclusive Fowl Life Podcast, Midwest Host Joel Kleefisch pins down Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources Chief Game Bird Ecologist Taylor Finger about what you can expect when it comes to bands, neck collars, and GPS backpacks. Don’t miss this fascinating insider info! This episode is brought to you by Travel Wisconsin and Realtree Camo!

E572 - Dusty Tuckness | The Most Voted Bullfighter in NFR History on God, Grit, and Getting Back Up Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

Chad doesn't spend a ton of time in the rodeo world, but sitting down with Dusty Tuckness, it's hard not to see how much it mirrors everything The Fowl Life stands for. Dusty's a hunter, so this one was a natural. Dusty has been voted into the National Finals Rodeo by the top bull riders in the world 17 years in a row. This is a record that's never been touched. A lot of people in the stands don't even know who he is. That's the job. Step in, take the hit, protect the guy everyone else is watching. They sit down the day after Dusty took a hard one. A subluxed hip, stretched hammy, sprained MCL — and went back out and fought 11 more bulls. They get into the split-second decisions, the two-man team, and what it really means to do a job nobody sees coming, but everybody needs when things go wrong. Dusty talks openly about his faith, getting through a compound fracture of his tib and fib, and why he considers himself a Christian who just happens to fight bulls. Chad brings the mallard duck story, the veterans he's hunted with, and what this lifestyle has actually given him. Animal ethics, the hunting and rodeo crossover, Rocker Steiner, Stetson Wright, and Caesars Rodeo all come up too. This episode is brought to you by Benelli Shotguns, Federal Premium Ammunition, Banded Brands, Avery Outdoors, Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels, Corning Ford, Resistol Hats, Rob Roberts Custom Gunworks, LEER Truck Toppers, GATR Coolers & Drinkware, and HiViz Sights.

E571 - 220 Yards, 225 Pounds, and a Round Chad Had Never Shot on Game | Axis Deer Hunt Recap Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

Chad had his crosshairs on a 225-pound Axis deer for over ten minutes. A brand-new round from Federal Premium he'd never shot on game before. And the whole time, one thought he couldn't shake... is the bullet big enough? That moment of doubt, the breathing, the trigger squeeze, and what happened when they walked up on that deer within 20 feet of where the shot landed; that's what this episode is about. Chad recaps his Axis deer hunt at Iron Game Ranch in Stonehouse, Texas with Federal Premium CEO Jason Vanderbrink, breaks down the brand new 6.5 Creedmoor Plus Peak and what it's capable of, gets into why Axis deer might be the best eating game animal in North America, and talks through how he's using every piece of this animal from hunter's ham to custom purses to pillows. It's a hunt recap, a shooting system breakdown, and an honest conversation about confidence, doubt, and what it means to trust your gear when it counts. Season 18 of Benelli's The Fowl Life is on the Outdoor Channel now. Season 19 filming starts in September. This episode is presented by Federal Premium Ammunition and brought to you by Benelli Shotguns, HiViz Sights, Rob Roberts Custom Gunworks, Nutrien Ag Solutions, CamoSpace, Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels, Corning Ford, LEER Truck Toppers, and GATR Coolers & Drinkware.

E570 - Fake Credibility, Real Hunters, and What It Really Means to Be a Hunter | Raised in the Woods Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

On this special episode from Raised In The Woods, Chad and the crew Travel Wisconsin to the State’s Capitol. They discuss everything from social media’s impact on the hunting world to technology’s effect in the waters and woods. Guest host Brittni Christiansen and host Ellie Lawton give their take on women in the outdoors. Don’t miss this controversial discussion from the seat of TFL Midwest. This episode is brought to you by Travel Wisconsin, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Benelli Shotguns, Federal Premium Ammunition, HiViz Sights, CamoSpace

E569 - Chad Belding Gets Interviewed for Once | The Fowl Life Edition of Raised in the Woods Jul 03, 2026

Show notes

As Chad Belding Travels Wisconsin, The Fowl Life lands in the Capitol of Madison for Midwest Host Joel Kleefisch’s radio show, Raised in the Woods. Ride along on this laugh-filled adventure. From an unbelievable turkey hunt to the greatest eats to a guest appearance by the one and only Wando, the godfather of “The Jump Around”, you don’t want to miss this fantastic journey. This episode is brought to you by Travel Wisconsin, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Benelli Shotguns, Federal Premium Ammunition, HiViz Sights, and CamoSpace

E568 - The Future of Outdoor TV | Mitch Petrie, Outdoor Channel Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

Mitch Petrie joins Chad from a campsite in Wisconsin, and the two get into it. They talk Wisconsin versus Minnesota, the political tension Mitch has watched build at home, and the infighting that's been creeping into the hunting community, including Chad's response to Matt Rinella's Hunt Quietly podcast and the argument that outdoor TV has done more harm than good. Mitch breaks down where outdoor television actually stands right now: the audience, the numbers behind My Outdoor TV and Game and Fish TV, why linear isn't dead even if it's changed, and whether a new producer could ever build a show like The Fowl Life from the ground up today. Chad and Mitch close it out talking sheep tags, axis deer recipes, and nineteen seasons of The Fowl Life still going strong. This episode is brought to you by Benelli Shotguns, Federal Premium Ammunition, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Travel Wisconsin, HiViz Sights, Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels, Avery Outdoors, Banded Brands, Corning Ford, Rob Roberts Custom Gunworks, LEER Truck Toppers, and GATR Coolers & Drinkware.

E567 - SCI Fowl Thoughts | This Is Why We Do It - Solo with Chad Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

Chad's got some thoughts. That's what this series is! Safari Club International's Fowl Thoughts! He starts where it all began. The toilet business. Portable units, job sites, construction managers, bid meetings. Learning customer service and communication and resilience and when to pump the brakes. Then a duck hunt with some buddies changed everything. From a duck mount on the wall of his toilet office called Strike Up the Band, of nine banded greenheads through flooded timber, to a phone call with a production company that fell through and started everything.. The blessing to go do it himself. And just like that, the dream was born. 18 seasons of Benelli's The Fowl Life on the Outdoor Channel. Year 15 with Benelli. Year 15 with Federal. Year 20 with Realtree. Year 20 with Mojo. All of it happened because of hard work, resilience, tenacity, and the people who showed up along the way. Chad talks about what this life has given him. The blinds, the musicians, the athletes, the military, the sick kids who got to hold a mallard for the first time. The moments that don't make the highlight reel but mean everything to him. Season 18 is getting ready to air. Season 19 starts filming in September, Banded Drake Ranch is growing, Seth Van Dover is playing the Silent Valor Project event at Caspians in Vegas on June 24th; There's a lot in motion! This episode of Safari Club International's Fowl Thoughts is proudly presented by Nutrien Ag Solutions and brought to you by Benelli, Federal Premium Ammunition, Banded Brands, Gatr Coolers, Corning Ford, Hi Viz Sights, Jack Link's, Mickey Thompson Tires and Wheels, and Avery Outdoors!

E566 - Frog Legs Field to Table | Scouting Season Starts Now - The Provider Eat Wild Series Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

The perfect early waterfowl scouting activity might just set you up with a gourmet meal in the process. In this Fowl Life Eat Wild series, Midwest host Joel Kleefisch and acclaimed chef Ellie Lawton team up with Banded pro staffer James Cooper to catch and cook frog legs, from the field to table. From the water to the pan, Chef Ellie makes it look easy and tastes even better. You're going to want to jump at the chance to check this out. This episode is brought to you by Travel Wisconsin, Banded Brands, Camospace, and Realtree Camo!

E565 - Freedom Hunters Nashville Classic | Texas Bound - Solo with Chad Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

Chad's got two big stops coming up, and he's fired up about both of them. First up is Texas for an Axis deer hunt during the rut with Jason Vanderbrink, CEO of the Kinetic Group. Benelli Lupo, Federal Premium Ammunition. Hayes Carl at Green Hall in New Braunfels. Dinner with Ted Nugent and Shemaine at the Nugent compound in Waco. And something personal he's keeping close to the heart. Then it's Nashville for the Freedom Hunters Nashville Classic, June 21st and 22nd. Sunday night at the Nashville Palace with Barrett Hobbs and Hobbs Hospitality! From the food and drinks, to the live auctions, silent auctions, speakers, four-star generals and admirals in the room, and live music headlined by Leith Lofton. Monday morning at the Hermitage Golf Club. Sunbelt Rentals is the title sponsor. Jack Daniel's is the official whiskey, and he wants YOU there! Chad's been involved with Freedom Hunters for over a decade. He's seen firsthand what getting veterans and active duty military back outdoors does for them. This event raises the money to keep those trips going. Tables of 10, VIP seating, and single tickets available. Go to freedomhunters.org. Season 18 of Benelli's The Fowl Life premieres on the Outdoor Channel in July. Season 19 starts filming in September. A lot of good things are coming, and we're glad you're here! This episode is presented by Mickey Thompson Tires and Wheels and brought to you by Bodyguard Bumpers, Leer Toppers, and Nutrien Ag Solutions, Realtree Camo, Banded Brands, Mojo Outdoors, and Almost Heaven saunas.

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