The FowlWeather Podcast

Ep. 60 – Public Draw Systems - Does Anyone Do It Right? Nov 18, 2024

With so man different public draw systems out there, somebody must do it better than anyone else? Right, why are there so many systems? Is duck hunting so different that every state and province has to have a different system for allocating blinds? Dr. Mike dissects this heavy topic, plus a western front shakes its cold hand and drives ducks south, all this week on The FowlWeather Podcast.

Ep. 59 – Ducks? What Ducks? Long-term Forecast Part 2 Nov 11, 2024

The long-awaited Long-term Forecast Part 2. The results are IN! The FowlWeather Podcast Long-term Forecast Part 2 dives into what the rest of duck season looks like, when will the cold show, does Old Man winter hide in the Arctic once again this year, or make an appearance as an Alberta Clipper, what’s snow got to do with it all? All that, and this week’s duck migration forecast.

Ep. 58 – Moon Phases and Duck Movement + Duck Hunting Ethics Nov 04, 2024

The FowlWeather Podcast team tackles how ducks move on the moon phase, duck hunting ethic revisited, and your migration forecast.

Ep. 57 – Kitchen Conversations – North Dakota Duck Camp and Waterfowl Trivia Oct 31, 2024

A duck camp kitchen conversation in North Dakota about duck hunting beginnings and the first waterfowl kitchen quiz. Waterfowl trivia for duck hunters.

Ep. 56 – Duck Senses Tingling: Duck Sight, Tactile, Hearing, and Taste Abilities. Oct 28, 2024

The FowlWeather Podcast team is back in the home office after a successful ND trip to talk about duck senses, how well do ducks see? How do they pick you out in the marsh flying at 45mph, how do they find food in the wetland, how do they hear your call? And do ducks taste their food? All this, a polar vortex update and your migration forecast this week on The FowlWeather Migration Forecast

Ep. 55 – The Long-Term Seasonal Forecast – Part 1 Oct 21, 2024

The FowlWeather Podcast team makes the first of 2 long-term forecasts for the season. What’s coming for cold and snow cover into December and January? Find out in this information packed episode, our North Dakota hunt, plus your weekly duck migration forecast.

Episode 54 – Chris Nicolai, Scientist w/ Delta Waterfowl Talks Prairie Conditions Oct 14, 2024

We meet this week with Chris Nicolai to talk duck production, duck migration, and prairie conditions. A first, Pacific Flyway flight prediction, out of Alaska and cold into Oregan has ducks predicted on the move for the coming week in the west.

Ep. 53 – What’s so Great about Great Lakes Ducks? Oct 07, 2024

The Great Lakes contain 20% of the world’s freshwater but how many ducks do they hold? Has winter ice cover changed in the Great Lakes? We also talk with Ryan Dulaney of Wildlife Strategies about impacts of Florence and Helene on duck country in the MAV and what habitat is lookin’ like for the coming season. That and The FowlWeather Podcast exclusive duck migration forecast for the week!

Ep. 52 – Our First 2024 Duck Migration Forecast Sep 30, 2024

Riding out Hurricane Helene in SC low country, a recap of changes in weather severity through time in the Mississippi and Atlantic flyways, how do game-farm mallard contribute to a declining migration?, a Baby Jager liver disease update, hurricane happenings, and our duck migration forecast.

Ep. 51 - When Do Ducks Start Migrating?, What Telemetry Doesn’t Tell Us, and A Ticking Time Bomb Sep 23, 2024

When do ducks start to migrate? Why are there movements happening now in the absence of weather? Is GPS telemetry on ducks the panacea for all of our questions? Does telemetry tell hunters how to hunt? Does telemetry predict ducks in front of your blind?...all that and notes on the ticking time bomb of duck shooting rhetoric.

Ep. 50 – We win when everybody eats Sep 16, 2024

How does The FowlWeather Podcast team produce weekly migration forecasts? How do ducks react differently to weather severity and why? What goes into the long-term seasonal forecasts. We unveil the new diving duck migration forecasts, a tropical system update, more on mallards, and the anxiously awaited duck migration…all of this and much more on this weeks episode of The FowlWeather Podcast.

Ep. 49 – Got Rice? – Talkin’ Wild Rice with Northern Latitude Sep 10, 2024

Wild rice and ducks go together, like, well…. wild rice and ducks. An important duck food, wild rice also pairs well with many duck dishes. DrMike talks with young entrepreneur, McKinley Dixon of Northern Latitude Foods, producers of organic wild rice from Idaho. A family business – they harvest wild rice by home made airboat, an airplane engine repurposed that captures rice brought to the wild lakes of northern Idaho, first likely brought into the lakes by ducks, the wild rice now thrives and so does Northern Latitude Foods. That, some updates on tropical systems, increasing drought, a La Nina update, and so much more on this week’s episode of The FowlWeather Podcast.

Ep. 48 – Faith the COLD will return Sep 02, 2024

Finding faith in the fact that it will again get COLD, DrMike takes us through the current wetland conditions in the US, talks crop production and its impact on ducks, duck shooting rhetoric 101, the lazy Atlantic tropical storm season to date, and he meets with Ryan Burnett of Pattern Pros – an innovative company looking to make your waterfowl shooting more successful and satisfying.

Ep. 47 – BONUS EPISODE: The BPOP Results Aug 22, 2024

The results are in my friends. Duck country is alive and well. The 2024 Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey, the BPOP, shows a total breeding duck population up 5% from 2023 in the traditional survey areas, but the devil is in the details. The harvest results are also in from the 2023- 2024 duck season and DrMike breaks down all these results on this special BONUS EPISODE of The FowlWeather Podcast.

Ep. 46 – Hurricanes and Blue-wings: Stories about floods and fighter jets Aug 19, 2024

Story telling with a dabble of science is on the menu in this last episode of the summer season before dive headlong into the Fall hunting seasons. Hold onto your summer shorts folks…..“Like a screaming jet those blue-wings ate my world like nothing I’d ever seen. Before I could move a barrel they shot through the decoys, but then they banked, they turned and did a 360 first going skyway, but then coming back down and back our way. The safety clicked, “get ready” said the brain, and those same words came out of my mouth by shear reaction. On their return through, as they took a pause in flight over the decoys, we lit em’ up and dropped 4 out of 8, plop times 4 they went and their brothers, sisters, mommas and pappas went rippin on to their next adventure; maybe they’d see the next gun on the area, or maybe they’d next see the Yucatan.”

Ep. 45 – Pre-Season Primer, Reading the Tea Leaves for Fall 2024 & Winter 2025 Weather. Will it be ducky? Aug 05, 2024

What will the 2024-2025 weather bring? It is still a long way off, but there are some strong trends developing. The meteorological Fall is September to November and first looks are coming into focus. The FowlWeather Podcast provides a first look at the coming season! Wealso cover how we make duck migration forecasts, where we make forecasts, and we introduce The FowlWeather Podcast photographer of the year, Matt Miseciwz.

Ep. 44 – Conserving the Canadian Prairies w/ John Devney – Chief Policy Officer for Delta Waterfowl Foundation Jul 22, 2024

The FowlWeather Podcast welcomes John Devney, policy guru with Delta Waterfowl Foundation to talk action on the prairies to conserve duck habitat. Policies differ greatly between the US and Canada, and John takes us down the rabbit hole about ways to conserve wetlands in prairie Canada. We also lean hard into what Delta is doing to study duck population biology to inform duck harvest policy and management.

Ep. 43 – Frank Baldwin - Migratory Bird Biologist in Manitoba on Prairie Habitat Conditions Jul 08, 2024

The FowlWeather Podcast covers conditions on the Canadian Prairies with Frank Baldwin, Wildlife Biologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada (Canadian Wildlife Service). We also hit on all things ducks and geese in his wonderful part of the world. Born and raised around the Oak Hammock Marsh area, Frank has a wonderful history and wealth of knowledge about arctic nesting geese and prairie ducks and all things Manitoba and beyond. Join us as we chat with Frank about the critical nesting grounds in Canada for ducks that distribute across the continent.

Ep. 42 – The Farm Bill w/ Julia Peebles, Ducks Unlimited Director of Agriculture and Sustainability Policy Jun 24, 2024

No single omnibus policy influences duck habitat more than the Farm Bill, we meet with Julia Peeples who spends much of her time on Capital Hill bringing forth the interests of ducks and duck people from across duck country to the decision-makers we all elect, we dig deep into the current Farm Bill, how it helps ducks (or doesn’t) and what to expect from the Farm Bill for the next five years…how will it help the ducks?

EP. 41 - Sam Kucia - South Dakota Prairie Grassland and Wetland Condition Update Jun 10, 2024

Sam Kucia is a passionate hunter-conservationist completing his PhD at South Dakota State University, located in NE SD. We cover wetland conditions this spring throughout his region, crop prices and CRP as drivers of conservation, wetland drainage, conservation challenges on the prairies, his experience last year after that early freeze followed by extreme warm, and much, much more including an amazing 160 class buck harvest story.

Ep. 40 - Paul Hess - Wildlife Biologist at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge May 27, 2024

Breaking news on changes in pintail bag limits, your Duck Stamps at work, who funds wetland restoration, habitat management on refuges for ducks, duck hunt management, the ducky weather or lack of ducky weather last year, and food for ducks. With 20 years of experience at Iroquois NWR, Paul brings an amazing wealth of information about sustaining ducks, other wetland wildlife, and all the great people across duck country USA!

Ep. 39 – Counting Ducks at 200 Miles per Hour – Flying the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers with Josh Osborn of Forbes Biological Station Aerial Waterfowl Survey May 14, 2024

Hang on to your pants folks – in this episode we fly with Josh Osborn, observer for the Forbes Biological Station aerial waterfowl survey. Forbes Biological Station has been part of aerial inventories of waterfowl along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers since 1948. Come fly with us for an engaging interview with Josh who has a bird’s eye view of duck migration in a pretty cool part of duck country, USA!

Ep. 38 - If You Got Em’… You Shoot Em’ – Waterfowl Hunt Management on Private and Public Lands – The FowlWeather Podcast 2024 Wetland Management Series - Part 4 Apr 29, 2024

The concluding episode of The FowlWeather Podcasts 2024 Wetland Management Series digs into the science of what makes a satisfied duck hunter and the techniques used on public and private lands to manage hunting disturbance. That, brief highlights of hot crops and more in this episode.

Ep. 37 – “Diversity is the Only Free Lunch” w/ Waterfowl Habitat Manager Ryan Dulaney of Wildlife Strategies and Land Agent with The Farmland Group – Wetland Mgmt Series Part 3 Apr 22, 2024

The FowlWeather Podcasts talks diversifying land management for waterfowl in Arkansas. What does it take to attract and hold ducks? What does it take to attract and hold a diversity of duck species? That and much more on this week’s episode with waterfowl habitat manager Ryan Dulaney of Wildlife Strategies and land agent with The Farmland Group.

Ep. 36 – Why Manage Wetlands? Drawdown Timing And the Emergent Marsh Cycle – The FowlWeather Podcast - Wetland Management Series: Part 2 Apr 15, 2024

In this series we are going to provide context about why actively managing restored wetlands is 100% necessary, actually critical. We are really excited to bring you this wetland management 101 cook book for your private lands or lease, but we will also highlight why the public hunting grounds that you visit should be actively managing their wetlands for waterfowl.

Ep. 35 – Ducks are Short! – The FowlWeather Podcast - Wetland Management Series: Part 1 Apr 09, 2024

In this series we are going to provide context about why actively managing restored wetlands is 100% necessary, actually critical. We are really excited to bring you this wetland management 101 cook book for your private lands or lease, but we will also highlight why the public hunting grounds that you visit should be actively managing their wetlands for waterfowl.

Ep. 34 – Where have all the mallards gone? Apr 01, 2024

In this episode of The FowlWeather Podcast we break down in easy to understand terms why hunting at the current levels doesn’t drive most waterfowl populations. Plain and simple language from DrMike, a scientist and duck hunter, brought to all our friends across duck country.

Ep. 33 - The Kitchen Conversations – What makes a duck call sound like a duck? James Callicutt – Mississippi native, duck call maker, and waterfowl biologist teaches us how to sound like a duck Mar 27, 2024

What makes a good duck call? What natural woods sound more like a duck than others? Single-reed or double-reed, what works best to fool those ole greenheads? We talk duck migration and lack of ducks this winter at James Callicutt’s camp in Mississippi, but we cover a-lotta ground about duck habitat management and duck calling. James Callicutt is kinda a big deal!

Ep. 32 Dr. Heath Hagy, The Waterfowl Guru Spills the Beans – Where were the ducks? Have the ducks figured us out? Mar 20, 2024

Where were the ducks last season? How does hunting disturbance redistribute ducks? USFWS Waterfowl Biologist Dr. Heath Hagy joins The FowlWeather Podcast. Heath tells us about how he stole all Dr. Mike’s best research ideas, and that we agree on duck science about 10% of the time, but we agree on the most important thing that matters and that is a love for the resource and the conservation and management of the habitat on which ducks rely. Point is, discussion and debate drive learning, especially between Dr. Mike and Dr. Hagy.

Ep. 31 – Kitchen Conversations – Talking Ducks with Salt of the Earth – Chad Fisher in The Bootheel of Missouri Mar 13, 2024

The bootheel of Missouri is named for its state boundary line that looks like a boot heel. Here the Mississippi Alluvial Valley begins and is rich in waterfowling culture. Known for quality public land hunting we meet with good friend and long-time bootheel duck hunter, Chad Fisher and talk about hunt draws at Duck Creek, Otter Slough, and Ten Mile Pond. We also reminisce about our earlier days as duck hunters.

Ep. 30 – Kitchen Conversations – Delta Waterfowl’s University Hunt Program with Stephen Sowell – Ensuring the Future of Duck Hunting Through Well-Trained Hunter-Conservationist Mar 04, 2024

At the North American Ducks Symposium Dr.Mike meets with Stephen Sowell who manages Delta Waterfowl’s University Hunt Program – a way to introduce university students to waterfowl hunting, Dr.Mike and Stephen talk about the need to train the next generation and that definitely includes ensuring they have an understanding of waterfowl hunting culture across duck country USA.

Ep. 29 – Where were the ducks? the duck season recap Feb 26, 2024

Empty skies for everyone this season, but not all – find out where the ducks were at and how the weather stacked up for the 2023 – 2024 duck season compared to normal.

Ep. 28 – Kitchen Conversations – Talking mallard migration with Ben Luukkonen and Dr. Phil Lavretsky Feb 18, 2024

At the 9th North American Duck Symposium Dr.Mike meets with Ben Luukkonen and Dr. Phil Lavretsky about how mutt mallards may be affecting mallard migration to southern latitudes. Information presented for the first time just days before, PhD student Ben Luukkonen explains how mallards with game-farm genetics just act differently. Dr. Lavretsky outlines how mallard genetics have drastically changed in North America. A truly groundbreaking interview.

Ep. 27 – THE CORN EPISODE Feb 05, 2024

Corn is neither the solution nor the problem – THE CORN EPISODE – The FowlWeather Podcast team breaks it all down.

Ep. 26 – It’s a WRAP – Reflection of the 2023 – 2024 Duck Season Jan 29, 2024

Duck season 2023-2024 was frustrating and disappointing to many but there is optimism too.

Ep. 25 – Hunting the thaw – where and when to hunt Jan 22, 2024

Warm and rain return to the south as we enter the final days of duck season 2023-2024.

Ep. 24 – Kitchen Conversations – Lake Erie Duck Action at Winous Pt. Marsh Conservancy Jan 18, 2024

In this episode we meet with, John Simpson, Executive Director of the Winous Point Shooting Club and Winous Point Marsh Conservancy in the duck cleaning, pluckin’ room. Towards the end we continue our discussion, as part of our In the Marsh Series with some good shooting, a quick chat about flooded corn and a nice flight of gadwall for some sporty shooting.

Thanks for joining us for another episode of the Kitchen Conversations.

Ep. 23 – The big freeze, the flood gates open-eth? Jan 15, 2024

The big freeze and the future of ducks and duck hunting this January.

Ep. 22 – Where are the Ducks – Part 2 – not fake news – separating feelings from facts Jan 08, 2024

Clearing the clutter from the chatter, host DrMike takes a deep dive into the paper ducks controversy and this year’s historic El Nino and drought that has so many frustrated with duck season 2023-24.

Ep. 21 – Kitchen Conversations – The Merg Squad Abides Jan 05, 2024

Dr. Mike sits down w/ local waterfowling legends Matt Frackleton and Mike Bard over a platter of roast duck, venison, and pickled duck hearts and gizzard to talk ducks. They fancy themselves as the merganser kings of North America, but we talk duck hunting pressure, favorite hunting weather, and alternative uses for seagull carcasses.

Join us for the inaugural episode of the Kitchen Conversations.

Ep. 20 – Why EVERYONE should be a member of Ducks Unlimited Jan 01, 2024

A vision like no other; to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever, Ducks Unlimited is a true conservation champion.

Ep. 19 – Where are the Ducks? Dec 25, 2023

Santa’s got a bag o’ ducks for y’all. But where are they and when will they migrate?

Ep. 18 – Why EVERYONE should be a member of Delta Waterfowl Dec 18, 2023

Around since 1911, Delta Waterfowl continues to be a strong advocate for duck conservation and duck hunters.

Ep. 17 – The Art of Sky Busting Dec 11, 2023

Shooting etiquette in the marsh – or not – we examine the art of sky busting in detail.

Ep. 16 – Don’t Burn the Roux Dec 04, 2023

Gentleman, welcome to Gumbo - The first rule of Gumbo is Don’t Burn the Roux, the second rule of Gumbo is Don’t Burn the Roux.

Ep. 15 – Has the Weather Changed for Mr. Mallard? Thoughts on Climate Change in the Age of Mallard Shooting Nov 27, 2023

Climate has always changed, but has it changed for the mallard? Has the weather that mallards see really changed that much across the last two generations of duck hunters? That, more and your late-November ducks migration forecast!

Ep. 14 – Golden Rule – F with the Decoys to Make the Ducks Fly Nov 20, 2023

If you set the decoys right they will come? Maybe, or maybe you have to call just right, or not look at them when the pass over, or maybe they are just ducks being ducks. Find out today on The FowlWeather Podcast – plus your Monday duck migration forecast.

Ep. 13 – Ducks Run Guns Nov 13, 2023

Believe it or not, when the duck population is greater, you shoot more ducks! Further, duck harvest at southern states is often linked to colder weather to the north. Plus your mid-November duck migration forecast. All this week on The FowlWeather Podcast – don’t miss it!

Ep. 12 – Seasonal Forecast – Part 2 - Ready or Not Here They Come? Nov 09, 2023

Will ducks do it dirty this season and make it a season to remember in the Deep South. Is the recent cold front to the north a pattern that will continue into December and January or will those gangs of Greenheads hang north again? Find out here on The FowlWeather Podcast – Seasonal Forecast Part 2.

Ep. 11 – The Ducks are at where they are at…and What Ducks Eat 101 Nov 06, 2023

Stalled ducks and how to hunt them, plus some science about what ducks eat and why…wanna kill more ducks, y’all might wanna know what ducks eat!

Ep. 10 – Howling Winds and Howling Hunters Oct 31, 2023

Cold, cold, cold continues, find out when and where to hunt fresh ducks on the move. Plus a comment on how or if duck hunter interests are being met on public lands across duck country.

Ep. 9 – Hot Barrels High on the Prairie Oct 25, 2023

In this episode The FowlWeather Podcast forecasts our first real migration alert as ducks move out of the northwestern prairie and into the mid-continent and places farther south.

Ep. 8 – BONUS EPISODE - Predicting the Grand Passage of Ducks Oct 24, 2023

Breaking down the Weather Severity Index - how it works!

A bonus episode that compliments our WSI video online at www.fowlweather.co.

How we predict duck migration.

Ep. 7 – Where the Hell Is Jacks Reef? Oct 20, 2023

Early migrants on the move! Jacks Reef where abouts, and a mallard population breakdown.

Ep. 6 – A Tale of Two Migrations Oct 19, 2023

So what's a duck to do? Flexible migration explained.

Ep. 5 – In the grips of El Nino - Your Seasonal Forecast - Part 1 Oct 18, 2023

In Part 1 of 2, we use the most up to date science to develop our seasonal forecast. El Nino is nearly certain this year. How will that impact your duck season? Tune in to find out.

Ep. 4 – The Relentless Heat and Where the Ducks are Hot and Where They're Not Oct 17, 2023

The first of many weekly migration forecasts. We produce the only science-based duck migration forecast. To be clear, other migration reports are just reports, they tell you about ducks that have already arrived. Stale ducks, we forecast fresh ducks just off migration.

Ep. 3 – How We Make Seasonal Forecasts Oct 16, 2023

Planning your hunting season includes many factors, we break down how we forecast duck migration months before it happens based on global climate systems. Should you take the trip in December, early January, or towards the tail end of season? The seasonal forecast helps you make these important decisions to forecast your next great hunt.

Ep. 2 – I Make Gumbo Oct 09, 2023

As devoted deer hunters we just find hunting fowl a little more fun.

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