Ducks Unlimited Podcast

Spring is one of the most critical — and overlooked — periods for creating great duck hunting in the fall. In this episode, host Matt Harrison is joined by experienced land manager Guy Halbert to break down what spring land management really looks like and why the work done now sets the table for the entire waterfowl season.
From one of the driest springs in recent memory to drawing down moist‑soil units, improving timber stands, controlling invasive vegetation, and planning for planting season, Guy shares real‑world experience, practical advice, and hard‑earned lessons from managing duck habitat year‑round.
In this episode:
Why spring is the foundation of successful duck season
Managing through an unusually dry spring
Timber stand improvement: thinning, girdling & releasing oaks
Why sunlight and diversity matter in duck woods
How to read vegetation & decide when to plant vs. let it grow naturally
The value of keeping management notes & logs year‑to‑year
Crop rotation concepts for duck food
Moist‑soil management vs. planted crops like corn & millet
Water control: the single most important management factor
Advice for first‑time landowners and new duck managers
Common mistakes & why slowing down saves money and habitat
If you’ve ever said “duck season will take care of itself,” this episode explains why spring is when the real work — and success — begins.

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.

Learn how women are taking safety, confidence, and responsibility into their own hands—both in the field and everyday life.

Professional shotgun shooter and DU Ascend host Julia Stallings sits down with Audrey Wikan, Drake Waterfowl spokeswoman and former gun‑industry marketer, to discuss what women need to know about concealed carry, field carry, legal realities, holsters, draw practice, and staying equipped on hunts.
Audrey shares her early experiences working behind a gun‑store counter at age 19, why women beelined to her with questions, what she carries now, and how she mentors new shooters. Together, they unpack the realities of traveling with firearms, carrying while hunting or fishing, choosing the right gun, staying legal across state lines, and building confidence through training and mentorship.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why more women are choosing to carry in the outdoors
Training, mentorship, and how to find the right firearm
Holsters, appendix vs. backpack carry, and drawing safely
What to know about carrying while hunting, fishing, or hiking
Traveling with firearms: TSA tips, ammo rules, and packing hacks
Understanding caliber choices, recoil, and comfort for smaller hands
Why confidence and comfort determine whether you’ll actually carry

Subscribe and join this exciting journey to explore, learn, and grow together in the outdoor world.
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.

World War II brought global upheaval in the 1940s and caused a redirection of national priorities and placed a temporary pause on regulatory and conservation momentum of the 1930s. After the war, returning veterans became the pioneers in waterfowl management and led to a new era of scientific discovery, regulatory creativity, and a growing need for state and federal coordination via Flyways. The DU Podcast continues its discussion with Ken Babcock and Dale Humburg.
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.

Ducks are heading north, and we’re getting the first hints of what breeding habitat may look like this spring.

DU's senior waterfowl scientist, Dr. Mike Brasher, sits down with Dr. Scott Stephens, DU's senior director of conservation strategy, for a timely update on prairie conditions, recent snowfall, runoff potential, and what these early signs may mean for breeding ducks in 2026. They also break down the migration chronology of different duck species — who arrives first, who lingers longest, and why evolutionary history shapes these patterns.

In this episode:
A flyover view of recent prairie snowfall and soil moisture
Where runoff potential looks promising — and where it doesn’t
How dry wetland basins from last fall influence spring habitat recovery
Why “some water” doesn’t equal “full recovery”
The importance of seasonal vs. semi‑permanent wetlands for brood success
How multiple years of improved conditions are needed for strong fall flights
Migration timing: early (mallards, pintails), mid (shovelers, teal, divers), and late (gadwall, scaup)
Why ducks “follow the ice line” and how late storms disrupt timing
Boreal nesters vs. prairie nesters — who waits for the thaw
Canada geese and snow geese movement patterns during March–April
Long‑term conservation reminders: habitat base matters more than any one wet year
Join us for a concise, informative episode for anyone tracking habitat conditions and dreaming about next fall’s duck season.

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.

Spring turkey season has arrived — and while the weather has been unpredictable and the gobblers uncooperative at times, that won’t stop host Matt Harrison, his brother Michael Harrison, and friend Trent Camden from diving into the opening‑week action.
The trio breaks down their hunts from the first few days of Mississippi’s season, including successful youth hunts, tough cold mornings, henned-up gobblers, green woods that feel “ahead of schedule,” and the wild behavior that makes turkey season so addictive. Along the way, they share lessons learned, personal stories, and real‑world tips for hunters at all experience levels.
In this episode:
Opening‑week reports: gobbling activity, flock dynamics & weather impacts
Why birds seem “ahead of schedule” this year
Calling strategies when gobblers aren’t vocal
Dealing with henned‑up toms & broken‑up flocks
Patience, timing, and understanding mid‑morning movement
How weather (cold, sun, wind) changes where birds want to be
Patterning early-season gobblers vs. late-season behavior
Chase stories, close calls & first‑time turkey successes
Populations: jakes, hens, and hatch observations across MS & LA
Lessons from the hunt: adapting, looping ahead, staying patient
Whether you’re new to turkey hunting or a seasoned spring addict, this episode is packed with the relatable highs, lows, and “what just happened?” moments that make chasing longbeards so special.
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.