Ducks Unlimited Podcast

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.

Into the 1920s, the Federal government endured growing pains in its new-found regulatory responsibilities for waterfowl harvest. Then, the 1930s brought a Dust Bowl, Great Depression, and catalysts for conservation, eventually producing the Duck Stamp Act, National Wildlife Refuge expansions, Pittman-Robertson Act, and organizations such as DU. Dr. Mike Brasher resumes his discussion with Ken Babcock and Dale Humburg about the history of waterfowl harvest management.
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 is one of the most important—and most overlooked—periods in the waterfowl annual cycle. In this episode, host Dr. Mike Brasher sits down with the creators of Waterfowl Management Academy to discuss how private landowners can dramatically improve duck habitat by making simple adjustments in late winter and spring.
Guests Kale Flaspohler, Mike Flaspohler, and Dan Crigler bring more than 70 years of combined experience in wetland management, public land habitat work, and private land technical guidance. Their new online platform—WaterfowlManagement.com—is designed to bring that expertise directly to landowners and managers who want to improve their wetlands.
In this episode:
What Waterfowl Management Academy is and why they built it
Why spring habitat is critical for ducks, from migration to nesting
Moist-soil management fundamentals and how timing influences results
Protein, invertebrates, and the nutritional demands of breeding birds
Why pulling boards right after season misses the most important window
How private land (75–80% of remaining wetlands) can change population outcomes
Regional considerations: Midwest vs. Gulf Coast vs. flyway-wide applications
How simple changes like holding water longer can support shorebirds & waterbirds
Mentorship, trial‑and‑error, and the value of lifelong learning in habitat work
What’s next for WMA and how landowners can get hands‑on guidance
Whether you’re a wetland manager, private landowner, or someone wanting to “give back” to ducks after hunting season, this episode can change how you think about habitat.
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.

The Chesapeake Bay is home to some of the richest decoy and waterfowling traditions in North America — and today’s guest, Chad Tragakis, is one of its most passionate historians.
Chad is a longtime decoy collector, writer, editor for Decoy Magazine, and a respected storyteller of the makers, clubs, boats, and communities that built the decoy culture along the Atlantic Flyway. Host Katie Burke sits down with Chad for a wide-ranging conversation that explores the origins of collecting, the legacy of iconic craftsmen, and the unique waterman traditions that still shape the region today.
In this episode:
How a $20 scoter decoy started Chad’s lifelong passion
The foundational books every new collector should read
Chesapeake Bay as the “decoy capital of the world”
Sink boxes, sporting yachts, and the golden era of upper-bay gunning
Why the region produced tens of thousands of working decoys
Haver de Grace vs. Northeast River styles — what sets them apart
How form, tradition, and community shape regional carving
Charlie Joiner’s legacy & what he learned from Mitchell and the Ward Brothers
The culture of shop visits, mentorship, and generational knowledge
Advice for beginning collectors & why building a library matters
The importance of preserving working decoys as American folk art
This episode is a celebration of craftsmanship, history, and the people who keep America’s decoy tradition alive.
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.