ASCEND: The Truth About Hunting : Host Round Table, Real Stories & Lessons (Ep 775)

California’s Central Valley: Water, Wetlands & the Future of Ducks (Ep 780)

California’s Central Valley is one of the most important — and most intensively managed — waterfowl landscapes in North America. In this episode, host Dr. Mike Brasher is joined by Matt Kaminski, Ducks Unlimited Regional Biologist, and Dr. Dan Smith, DU Waterfowl Scientist, for a deep dive into habitat conditions, conservation challenges, and the future of wetlands in the Pacific Flyway. From highly engineered water systems to changing land use and declining snowpack, the conversation highlights how water management decisions shape waterfowl populations across the entire annual cycle — from breeding to migration and wintering. In this episode, listeners will hear about: * Current breeding habitat conditions in the Central Valley * The role of snowpack and water supply in wetland availability * Why California remains critical for wintering AND breeding ducks * Declines in mallard production and possible causes * Changes in agriculture, especially rice, and impacts on ducks * The importance of watergrass as a key food resource * Highly engineered water systems and wetland infrastructure * Seasonal vs. semi‑permanent wetlands explained * The concept of “reverse cycle wetlands” and brood habitat * Why summer water is critical — but difficult and expensive to maintain * DU and partner programs incentivizing habitat for breeding waterfowl This episode provides an inside look at one of the most complex conservation landscapes in North America — and how Ducks Unlimited is working with partners to keep it productive for 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.

RELOADED EP230 - Waterfowl Harvest Management Series, Part 13: Remembering The Point System

Mathematics was once a required practice in the duck blind, courtesy of the point system of the 70s and 80s. Dr. Jim Dubovsky, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service central flyway representative, joins Dr. Mike Brasher for a trip down memory lane to discuss the origination, objectives, implementation, and critiques of the old point system, a once common regulatory alternative for duck harvest. Although liked and enjoyed by managers and hunters alike, it wasn’t without its challenges.   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.

Sporting Art & Shell Boxes: Collecting the History of Hunting (Ep 779)

Behind every vintage shell box, calendar, or advertisement is a story — not just about products, but about the history and culture of hunting itself. In this episode, host Katie Burke is joined by Lee Schulz, a long‑time collector of sporting art and hunting-related advertising, live from the North American Decoy Collectors Show. From hotel rooms turned antique shops to decades of collecting rare pieces, this conversation explores a side of the waterfowl world many hunters overlook — the art and artifacts that helped define it. Lee shares how collecting evolved over the last 40 years, the artists behind iconic advertising, and why these pieces still resonate with hunters today. In this episode, listeners will hear about: * What sporting art and advertising collectibles are * How Lee got started collecting shell boxes and antique advertising * The role of hunting culture in shaping early American advertising * Why companies like Winchester and Remington relied on fine artists * Legendary artists like Philip Goodwin, Lynn Bogue Hunt, and Frank Benson * The connection between early advertising art and duck stamp artists * How artwork was designed to sell products and tell stories * Why nostalgia and outdoor heritage are driving renewed interest This episode offers a fascinating look at the intersection of art, history, and hunting — and why preserving these pieces matters for future generations. 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.

Rice & Ducks: Why Farming Practices Matter for Waterfowl (Ep 778)

Rice fields aren’t just agricultural landscapes — they’re one of the most important waterfowl habitats in North America. In this episode, host Dr. Jerad Henson is joined by Dr. Ryan Askren of Five Oaks Ag Research & Education Center and Patrick Dill, Ducks Unlimited’s Manager of Agricultural Programs in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley (MAV), to break down the science, management, and real‑world decisions behind rice agriculture and waterfowl habitat. From energy-rich food resources to water management and farming practices, the group explains why rice fields have become a cornerstone of wintering habitat — and what’s at risk as modern agriculture continues to evolve. In this episode, listeners will hear about: * The history of rice agriculture and its connection to waterfowl * Why rice fields function as “surrogate wetlands” in the MAV * Duck Energy Days explained and why they matter * The massive difference between harvested vs. unharvested rice fields * How modern harvesting techniques affect food availability * Residue management (burning, rolling, disking) and its impact on ducks * Why water depth (2–8 inches) is critical for feeding waterfowl * The importance of invertebrates and diverse food sources in rice fields * How infrastructure (levees, impoundments) helps hold water on the landscape * The role of geese, weather, and timing in food depletion * Why early flooding and late-season water retention matter * How pressure, disturbance, and refuge areas affect duck behavior * The realities of farming decisions: input costs, markets, and water scarcity * Emerging trends in rice production (row rice, AWD irrigation, ratoon crops) * Habitat loss risks when rice acres shift to other crops * Practical tips for managing rice fields specifically for waterfowl This episode connects agriculture and conservation in a way that shows how farm-level decisions directly influence continental duck populations. 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 EP224 - Waterfowl Harvest Management Series, Part 12: AHM – Learning, Legacy, and Influence

In this concluding episode about the implementation of Adaptive Harvest Management, Dr. Jim Nichols and Dr. Mike Brasher discuss the importance of population data, band returns, and harvest estimates in AHM mechanics. This episode wraps up with a reflection on 25 years of liberal regulations, the legacy and influence of AHM beyond waterfowl management, where it ranks in the history of waterfowl management, and thoughts on why it has withstood the test of time. 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.