Ducks Unlimited Podcast

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What makes a wooden decoy worth more than a million dollars?
Recorded live at DUX 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee, host Katie Burke sits down with Jon Deeter of Guyette & Deeter, one of the most respected names in the world of sporting collectibles, decoys, and duck calls.
The conversation explores the historic sale of the Jim and Diane Cook Collection, which produced the first two decoys in history to sell for more than $1 million at auction. Jon shares behind-the-scenes stories from the landmark sales, discusses the passion that drives serious collectors, and explains why collecting is about much more than prices and records.
The discussion also covers the thrill of discovery, including a newly found Victor Glodo duck call that surfaced just days before DUX, proving that important pieces of waterfowling history are still waiting to be found. Along the way, Katie and Jon discuss collector culture, first decoys, waterfowl heritage, and why the friendships built through collecting matter just as much as the artifacts themselves. 
Topics Covered
The record-breaking Jim and Diane Cook Collection auctions
The first decoys to surpass $1 million at auction
Why collectors remember their first decoy forever
The history and significance of Victor Glodo duck calls
Waterfowl heritage and sporting collectibles
Decoy collecting culture and community
Hidden collections still waiting to be discovered
Why collecting is about more than money

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.

DUCKS UNLIMITED NATION TRIP AUCTION!

DUCKS UNLIMITED NATION TRIP AUCTION!

Birds don’t recognize borders. Conservation shouldn't either.

Host Dr. Mike Brasher sits down with longtime Ducks Unlimited volunteer leaders Rogers Hoyt and Bill Ansell, along with DU Interim Chief Conservation Officer Craig LeSchack, to discuss the critical role of Ducks Unlimited de México (DUMAC) in North American waterfowl conservation. 

From wintering habitat for millions of ducks to community-based conservation projects that improve wetlands and local livelihoods, DUMAC plays a vital role in sustaining waterfowl populations across the continent. The conversation explores the history of the organization, the influence of legendary conservationists like John e. (Johnny) Walker III, and how conservation efforts in Mexico directly support the ducks that hunters enjoy throughout the United States and Canada. 

The group also discusses the John E. Walker III Research and Training Center in Celestún, the internationally recognized RESERVA training program, mangrove restoration, wetland science, and the importance of supporting conservation on a continental scale. 

Topics Covered
The history and mission of Ducks Unlimited de México (DUMAC)
Why birds and conservation ignore political borders
Mexico’s importance to wintering waterfowl populations
The legacy of John E. Walker III and DUMAC leadership
Community-based conservation projects across Mexico
Mangrove restoration and wetland management
The RESERVA conservation training program
How DUMAC benefits both wildlife and local communities
Why you should join the John E. Walker III Society

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.

DUCKS UNLIMITED NATION TRIP AUCTION!

DUCKS UNLIMITED NATION TRIP AUCTION!

Host Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher discuss waterfowl identification and its importance for not only waterfowl hunters, but also birders. Mike talks about identifying characteristics of certain species and shares a handful of helpful tips to improve your waterfowl identification.

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.

DUCKS UNLIMITED NATION TRIP AUCTION!

DUCKS UNLIMITED NATION TRIP AUCTION!

What if saving one species could help protect entire ecosystems and ways of life?
Recorded at Ducks Unlimited's 89th National Convention, host Jimbo Robinson sits down with renowned National Geographic photographer Carlton Ward Jr. for a conversation about storytelling, wildlife conservation, and the connections between people, landscapes, and the species that depend on them.
Carlton shares how a career that began documenting wildlife in Africa eventually led him back home to Florida, where he became one of the leading voices behind the Florida Wildlife Corridor movement. The discussion explores the role of photography in conservation, the importance of connected habitat, and how species like the Florida panther help tell a larger story about preserving working lands, watersheds, and wildlife for future generations.
Along the way, Carlton explains how storytelling helped inspire real conservation policy, why private land conservation matters, and how hunters, landowners, and conservationists can work together to protect landscapes at scale.
Topics Covered
Carlton Ward Jr.'s path into conservation photography
The Florida Wildlife Corridor project
Wildlife corridors and habitat connectivity
How photography can influence conservation policy
The story behind Path of the Panther
Florida panthers, bears, and landscape conservation
Private land conservation and conservation easements
Lessons for hunters and conservationists nationwide

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.

DUCKS UNLIMITED NATION TRIP AUCTION!

DUCKS UNLIMITED NATION TRIP AUCTION!

Learn how the survey behind duck population estimates and hunting regulations is being evaluated for the future.
Host Dr. Mike Brasher is joined by Dr. John Yeiser of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Frank Baldwin of the Canadian Wildlife Service to discuss an ongoing review of the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey—one of the most important wildlife monitoring programs in North America.
For more than 70 years, the survey has provided the foundation for waterfowl population estimates, conservation planning, and harvest management decisions. Now, agencies and partners are evaluating how new analytical tools, technologies, and datasets can improve efficiency while maintaining the long-term integrity of one of wildlife management’s most important data series.
Topics Covered:
Why the breeding population survey is being reviewed
How duck population estimates influence hunting regulations
The role of banding, harvest surveys, and breeding surveys
Potential future uses of remote sensing and new technologies
Challenges associated with survey timing and changing conditions
Why long-term datasets remain critical to waterfowl management
How the U.S. and Canada work together to monitor duck populations

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.

DUCKS UNLIMITED NATION TRIP AUCTION!