Ducks Unlimited Podcast

What really happens behind the highlight reels of hunting and outdoor life?
In this candid roundtable episode, Bethany, Adrienne, Erin, and Julia sit down to reflect on a full season of conversations, hunts, and hard-earned lessons. Instead of a single guest, this episode brings together the voices behind the podcast to unpack what stood out most from unforgettable guests and powerful community moments to the realities that don’t always make it onto social media. The group shares personal hunting stories, including first harvests, missed shots, and the emotional highs and lows that come with time in the field. From elk hunts in the mountains to first-time duck hunters finding their confidence, this episode highlights how growth often comes through failure, persistence, and shared experiences. They also dive into deeper themes: the rise of women in hunting, the importance of mentorship and communication, and how intentional time outdoors can restore balance in an otherwise fast-paced life. Whether it’s teaching beginners, navigating fear around firearms, or simply making time to get outside, the conversation emphasizes progress over perfection. Above all, this episode is a reminder that no one starts as an expert—and that the most meaningful moments often come from the messy, imperfect, real parts of the journey.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
 Why storytelling and community have been the most impactful part of this season
 How women are building confidence and connection through hunting and outdoor skills
 The importance of communication when mentoring new hunters
 Real hunting experiences from missed shots to first harvests
 How social media can create unrealistic expectations (and why showing failure matters)
 Why beginners often struggle with fear, perfectionism, and information overload
 How small wins in the outdoors can be just as meaningful as a harvest
 The role of conservation and why new hunters (especially women) are essential to its future
 Practical tips for introducing someone new to hunting or shooting
 Why intentional time outdoors can improve mental clarity and overall well-being
Follow along for more real conversations, outdoor stories, and insights from women shaping the future of hunting and conservation.
Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend.

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: [email protected]
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.

REGISTER FOR DUX 2026!
ReedsGunsAndAmmo.com - DISCOUNT COUPON: VIPDEALS
This episode kicks off a new DUX Series on the Ducks Unlimited Podcast, hosted by Jimbo Robinson and David Schuessler, highlighting the companies and partners shaping the DUX event and the broader outdoor lifestyle.
In this first installment, the hosts are joined by Adam and Drew Arnold of Reeds Family Outdoor Outfitters, a third‑generation, family‑owned business based in Walker, Minnesota. What started as a small bait shop in the 1950s has evolved into one of the most respected retail and destination outdoor brands in the country.
From retail to resorts, customer experience to conservation partnerships, the Arnolds share how Reeds became more than a store — it became a destination.
In this episode, listeners will hear about:
The origin story of Reeds and its roots on Leech Lake
Growing a family business across multiple generations
From sports shows to e‑commerce: adapting to industry changes
Building a destination retail experience like Buc‑ee’s
The importance of partnerships with top outdoor brands
How Reeds supports Ducks Unlimited events and chapters
The evolution of Sportsman’s Night Out and DUX events
Why in‑person events still matter in a digital world
Creating all‑inclusive outdoor experiences at Trapper’s Landing Lodge
How fishing, retail, and hospitality connect into one ecosystem
The future of the outdoor retail industry
What makes DUX a true destination for families and hunters
Whether you’re a hunter, angler, retailer, or outdoor enthusiast, this episode offers insight into how experience, service, and partnership drive success in today’s outdoor industry.

ReedsGunsAndAmmo.com - DISCOUNT COUPON: VIPDEALS
REGISTER FOR DUX 2026!
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.

Is duck harvest mortality additive or compensatory? Is duck production strongly or weakly density dependent? Which habitat features most influence duck production? And how are optimal duck harvest regulations selected in the face of this imperfect knowledge? The DU Podcast is again thankful to be joined by Dr. Jim Nichols, retired senior scientist and Adaptive Harvest Management expert, to dig deeper into the workings of AHM and how annual duck regulations are selected.
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.

The Great Lakes and Atlantic Region may be Ducks Unlimited’s largest and most diverse — and it’s where conservation relevance is helping drive growth in habitat delivery.

In this episode, DU podcast host and Senior Waterfowl Scientist, Dr. Mike Brasher, continues our trip around the regions with Jamie Rader, Ducks Unlimited's Director of Operations for the Great Lakes & Atlantic Region. Spanning 21 states from Maine to Minnesota, Jamie oversees one of DU’s fastest‑growing conservation teams and shares what it takes to deliver wetland conservation at scale in landscapes shaped by people, agriculture, and development.

Jamie reflects on his path from West Tennessee duck hunts to graduate work in Hawaii, mentorship under legendary waterfowlers, and leadership across nearly every DU region before taking the helm in Ann Arbor. From there, the discussion turns to breeding conditions, migration, and the innovative partnerships driving record conservation growth across the region.

In this episode, listeners will hear about:
Jamie Rader’s career path through Ducks Unlimited and field biology
Mentorship, duck hunting culture, and lessons learned in the blind
The scope of the Great Lakes & Atlantic Region (“the five M’s”)
Explosive growth in staff, funding, and conservation delivery since 2020
Spring breeding conditions across the Great Lakes, Midwest, and Northeast
Flooding, snowfall, and late‑season wetland replenishment
Major conservation programs including H2Ohio and Chesapeake Bay initiatives
Water quality funding as a pathway to waterfowl habitat gains
Working lands conservation with farmers and producers
Soil health, wetland restoration, and nutrient reduction strategies
Expanding DU’s relevance beyond traditional waterfowl audiences
“Seeing beyond the duck” in coastal, urban, and population‑dense regions
Why relevance, partnerships, and innovation are essential to future success
This episode highlights how Ducks Unlimited continues to adapt — delivering habitat for waterfowl while meeting the broader environmental needs of people and communities across the Great Lakes & Atlantic Region.

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.

Conservation isn’t just about habitat — it’s about people, relationships, and showing up when decisions are being made.
In this episode, host Dr. Mike Brasher sits down with Bill Cooksey, Partnerships Program Leader for the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, to talk about a career spent at the intersection of conservation, policy, industry, and grassroots advocacy. Bill brings decades of experience from Avery Outdoors, National Wildlife Federation, and now TWF, offering a unique perspective on how conservation decisions actually get made — and why personal relationships still matter more than emails, posts, or press releases.
The conversation spans conservation advocacy, wildlife policy, changes in the hunting community, misinformation, and how sportsmen can still shape the future if they’re willing to engage directly.
In this episode, listeners will hear about:
Bill Cooksey’s path through the outdoor industry, conservation NGOs, and policy
The role of state wildlife federations and how they differ from national organizations
Why conservation advocacy is ultimately about relationships and trust
“Pick up the damn phone” — why real conversations still move the needle
How sportsmen influence policy at the state and federal levels
Protecting hunting rights through proactive engagement
A landmark Tennessee case involving duck hunters and municipal restrictions
Why misinformation spreads faster than science — and how to respond productively
Changes in how hunters get information and engage with conservation
The decline of CRP, habitat loss, and consequences for duck populations
The chronic underfunding of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Why engagement — not social media outrage — creates real impact
Practical advice for contacting legislators and making your voice heard
Reasons for optimism about the future of waterfowl conservation
This episode is a reminder that conservation success still depends on individuals willing to speak up, build relationships, and advocate for the resources they care about.
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.