Ducks Unlimited Podcast

Monthly Sponsors:
North Dakota Tourism
Weatherby

Katie Burke welcomes returning guest Dan Thiel to discuss the founder of Ducks Unlimited, Joseph P. Knapp. In telling the history of Knapp, the two discuss the creation of More Game Birds for America and the evolution that inspired the same group to create Ducks Unlimited. The pair layout out the timeline of events plus Knapp’s role that ultimately lead to our organizations’ creation.
 
Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org
SPONSORS:
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.

Monthly Sponsors:
North Dakota Tourism
Weatherby

Monthly Sponsors:
North Dakota Tourism
Weatherby

A few weeks ago, the Klamath Basin was facing a potentially devastating botulism outbreak. Today, there’s some much-needed good news.
Dr. Mike Brasher, DU's Senior Waterfowl Scientist, reconnects with Jeff McCreary, Director of Operations for the Western Region, to share an important update from the Klamath Basin and the efforts that helped prevent a catastrophic die-off of ducks.
Following months of drought, low snowpack, declining water levels, and an emerging botulism outbreak, conservation partners, water users, agencies, and tribes worked together to move critical water into the Klamath Refuges. Combined with cooler temperatures and rain, those efforts dramatically improved conditions and halted this year's botulism threat. As a result, tens of thousands of newly hatched ducks will be taking flight this fall, boosting the hopes of duck hunters throughout the flyway. 
Topics Covered
What changed in the Klamath Basin since the last update
How collaborative water management helped stop a larger outbreak
Why additional water made such a difference
The role of cooler weather and rainfall
Waterfowl production estimates for the region
What this means for Pacific Flyway hunters this fall
The future of the flow-through water concept
Why DU’s conservation work matters on the ground

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org
SPONSORS:
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.

Monthly Sponsors:
North Dakota Tourism
Weatherby

Monthly Sponsors:
North Dakota Tourism
Weatherby

Set yourself up for a successful season by tuning in to this expert discussion of the latest Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey results.

Waterfowl specialists from Ducks Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited Canada, and guest panelists from across North America share what the numbers mean for bird populations, habitat conditions, and hunting prospects for the 2026-2027 season. Stay ahead of the season with timely insights from the experts who help shape waterfowl conservation and management.
Special thanks to our partners in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Canadian Wildlife Service, and state and provincial member agencies of the Pacific, Central, Mississippi, and Atlantic Flyway Councils that lead the programs through which these vital data are collected.
LEARN MORE: https://www.ducks.org/conservation/waterfowl-surveys

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org
SPONSORS:
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.

Monthly Sponsors:
North Dakota Tourism
Weatherby

Monthly Sponsors:
North Dakota Tourism
Weatherby

The future of waterfowl hunting depends on more than ducks. It depends on community, storytelling, and getting new people involved.
Recorded live from the Duck Den at DUX 2026, host Jimbo Robinson sits down with the team behind Split Reed: Zach, Brennan, and Max. The conversation explores how a digital waterfowl publication grew into a community-driven platform focused on hunting, conservation, storytelling, and helping new hunters find their place in the sport.
The group discusses the origins of Split Reed, the success of the Road Duck Tour series, public land hunting culture, and why authentic storytelling continues to resonate in an increasingly crowded digital world. Along the way, they share thoughts on recruiting young hunters, building friendships through waterfowling, and why community is still the most important part of the sport.
Topics Covered
The origin and mission of Split Reed
Building a waterfowl-focused media community
The Road Duck Tour series
Public land duck hunting and DIY adventures
Storytelling in modern hunting culture
Recruiting and inspiring new hunters
Waterfowl industry friendships and partnerships
Why community remains central to waterfowling
DUX 2026 highlights and favorite products

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org
SPONSORS:
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.

Monthly Sponsors:
North Dakota Tourism
Weatherby

Monthly Sponsors:
North Dakota Tourism
Weatherby

We welcome Dan Thiel back to the podcast for the second part of the series discussing the history and formation of Ducks Unlimited. In this episode, Dan and host, Katie Burke, take a side bar and chat about the influence of Jay “Ding” Darling on waterfowl and wetland conservation in the United States. The pair discuss Darling’s pivotal role in creating the Federal Duck Stamp program and other works ultimately influencing the direction of DU.

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org
SPONSORS:
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.

Monthly Sponsors:
North Dakota Tourism
Weatherby