Ducks Unlimited Podcast

Today’s hunters don’t just rely on skill — they rely on the tools that get them there.
In this episode of the DUX Series, host David Schuessler is joined by co‑host Logan Nevins and guest Seth Dortch of Rough Country, one of the fastest‑growing vehicle accessory brands in the outdoor space.
From truck lifts and bed systems to fully outfitted UTV builds, Seth shares how Rough Country has evolved from a suspension company into a full‑scale outdoor lifestyle brand — and how that evolution parallels the way modern hunters access, transport, and experience the outdoors.

In this episode, listeners will hear about:
Seth Dortch’s background growing up in West Tennessee and DU banquets
The early partnership between Rough Country and Ducks Unlimited
How Rough Country grew from a small suspension company to a major manufacturer
The role of aftermarket accessories in hunting and outdoor lifestyles
Why modern hunters rely on UTVs and fully customized vehicles
The rise of UTV accessories and how the category exploded in the last decade
How Rough Country designs products specifically for hunters and outdoorsmen
Bed caps, cargo systems, and the “full system” approach to gear
The complexity of fitting products across vehicle makes and models
How innovation and competition drive better gear for consumer
American manufacturing and the impact on local communities
What Rough Country is bringing to the DUX show in Memphis
This episode highlights how gear and mobility have become essential parts of the modern hunting experience — and how brands like Rough Country are helping drive that evolution.

Listen now: 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.

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
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.

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
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.

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
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 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
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.