RELOADED EP235 - Waterfowl Harvest Management Series, Part 16: Pintail AHM & the Role of Harvest in Duck Management

RELOADED EP235 - Waterfowl Harvest Management Series, Part 16: Pintail AHM & the Role of Harvest in Duck Management

Dr. Scott Boomer, USFWS wildlife biologist, rejoins the show to offer his thoughts on sex-specific regulations and provide a brief update on the ongoing revision to the Pintail harvest strategy. Scott also shares his thoughts on the relative importance of harvest management vs. habitat conservation in achieving duck population goals. Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast [https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast] Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org SPONSORS: 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. 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.

Meet Wade Shoemaker: A New Voice on the DU Podcast (Ep 785)

The Ducks Unlimited Podcast is adding a new voice — and a new perspective. In this episode, host Dr. Mike Brasher and co‑host Dr. Jerad Henson introduce Wade Shoemaker, the newest member of the DU Podcast team. Wade brings a fresh, field‑driven perspective rooted in years of experience as a passionate, everyday duck hunter. Growing up in North Louisiana, Wade’s journey into waterfowling didn’t begin with perfect hunts or polished knowledge — it started like it does for many hunters: borrowed gear, cold mornings, and figuring things out along the way. That path, along with a strong appreciation for community and relationships, shaped his approach to hunting and storytelling. Throughout the conversation, Wade shares how his love for waterfowl expanded from local hunts to traveling across multiple flyways, experiencing different regions, techniques, and cultures. From flooded timber to prairie hunts and coastal marshes, those experiences have given him a broad perspective he now brings to the podcast. The addition of Wade represents a shift toward blending perspectives — combining on-the-ground hunting experience with Ducks Unlimited’s science, conservation, and policy expertise. His role will help connect everyday hunters with deeper insights while keeping the conversation grounded in real-world experiences. This episode sets the stage for what’s ahead: more stories, more perspectives, and a new connection between the people who hunt and the science and conservation that support it. Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast [https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast] Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org SPONSORS: 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. 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.

DUX SERIES: Tom Beckbe: Timeless & the Modern Outdoors (Ep 784)

Great outdoor gear doesn’t just perform — it tells a story. In this episode of the DUX Series, host Jimbo Robinson is joined by co‑host David Schuessler and guest Radcliffe Menge, founder and CEO of Tom Beckbe, a brand built on heritage materials, modern design, and a deep connection to the outdoor lifestyle. Recorded ahead of the upcoming DUX Waterfowl Show, this conversation explores how Tom Beckbe grew from a single custom waxed jacket into a full-scale outdoor apparel brand. Radcliffe shares how the company has stayed intentionally focused — blending traditional materials like waxed cotton with updated fit and function to serve today’s hunter while honoring the past. The discussion also dives into what makes waxed cotton unique, why durability and longevity matter more than ever, and how classic outdoor gear continues to resonate with both hunters and a broader audience drawn to authenticity. Along the way, they talk about the rapid growth of the DUX show, the success of the Ducks Unlimited collaboration line, and what’s coming next — including new gear and the return of the now-iconic “cabin” booth experience. At its core, this episode is about craftsmanship, patience, and building something meant to last — both in product and in brand. Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast [https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast] Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org SPONSORS: 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. 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.

RELOADED EP234 - Waterfowl Harvest Management Series, Part 15: Beyond Mallards in Modern AHM

First developed for midcontinent mallards, Adaptive Harvest Management has since been expanded to eastern and western mallards, black ducks, pintails, and scaup. Dr. Scott Boomer, wildlife biologist with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, joins the DU Podcast to discuss modern changes to AHM and provides insights on what all has to be considered when expanding AHM to new species or entertaining alternative ideas for harvest regulations.   Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast [https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast] Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org SPONSORS: 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. 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.

Decoy Carving, Tradition & Creativity: Inside the Work of Josh Brewer (Ep 783)

Decoy carving lives at the intersection of hunting, history, and personal expression. In this episode, host Katie Burke sits down with Josh Brewer, decoy carver, at the North American Decoy Collectors Association show — a unique gathering where hotel rooms turn into galleries, workshops, and meeting spaces for collectors and artists alike. The conversation explores what it means to make decoys today: balancing tradition with innovation, function with form, and personal creativity with the expectations of collectors. Josh shares how his work has evolved, why simplifying design can be harder than adding detail, and how spending time around real birds continues to shape his craft. They also dig into the process behind building full decoy rigs, the importance of movement and realism on the water, and why carving remains deeply rooted in experience rather than just technique. Along the way, Josh reflects on learning as an artist, raising kids in the craft, and why passing along knowledge matters just as much as producing great work. This episode offers an authentic look at the mindset behind modern decoy carving — and why it remains one of the most meaningful connections between hunters and waterfowl. Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast [https://www.ducks.org/DUPodcast] Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org SPONSORS: 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. 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.