Ducks Unlimited Podcast

He’s a former NFL quarterback, a lifelong outdoorsman, a junior world duck‑calling champion, a YouTube creator, and now the founder of a new lifestyle brand. Today’s guest is the one and only Devlin “Duck” Hodges.
Hosts Matt Harrison and Jimbo Robinson sit down with Duck for a wide‑open conversation covering everything from his days with the Pittsburgh Steelers to his passion for duck hunting, bowhunting, faith, family, and building his new brand — Club Country — which connects the hunting/outdoor lifestyle with the golf world.
In this episode:
How he got the nickname “Duck” (and why he hated it at first)
Breaking Steve McNair’s passing record at Samford
The wild moment he got thrown into his first NFL game
What it was like hunting with Peyton Manning, Luke Bryan & others
The YouTube boom and why he wants to be a positive influence for new hunters
How Club Country was born — and why it bridges golf + outdoors
Balancing business, hunting, and planning a wedding with Lainey Wilson
His favorite hunts, biggest lessons, and where he’s headed next
If you’re a football fan, a duck hunter, or someone who loves the outdoor lifestyle, this is one of the most fun, wide‑ranging episodes of the 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.

The history of bird conservation is full of conflict, characters, chaos — and ultimately, hope.

In this special episode, host Dr. Mike Brasher sits down with journalist and author James H. McCommons, whose new book Feather Wars uncovers the dramatic, surprising, and often untold stories behind how America saved its birds from the brink of extinction.
From market hunting and plume traders to poetic bird lovers, political maneuvering, and early wildlife heroes, this book chronicles the people, laws, and events that shaped modern conservation — including stories waterfowl hunters will instantly recognize.
In this episode:
The early days of shotgun ornithologists and egg collectors
How plume hunting and the feather trade ignited a national movement
Why hunters played a crucial role in securing early conservation laws
The real story behind the Lacey Act, Weeks-McLean Act, and MBTA
The wild saga of Ray Holland vs. the Missouri Attorney General
Ding Darling, duck clubs, and the birth of the Federal Duck Stamp
How past conservation battles mirror today’s challenges
If you love birds, hunting history, conservation law, or simply great storytelling — this episode (and this book) are must-listens.

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.

Phil Bourjaily, DU Magazine shotgunning columnist, joins host Chris Jennings to discuss a recent column – The Physics of Shotgunning. Bourjaily breaks down the science behind being a better shooter. He also provides an update on his 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.

The wildturkeyDNA project is back—and year one delivered far more surprises than expected.
Recorded on location at the NWTF Convention, Dr. Mike Brasher, DU's Senior Waterfowl Scientist, is joined by:

Dr. Mike Chamberlain, NWTF Distinguished Professor at the University of Georgia and Wild Turkey Lab
Dr. Phil Lavretsky, Associate Professor and wildlife geneticist at University of Texas at El Paso
Katie Tucker, DU Conservation Science Assistant

Together they break down year one results, insights from odd‑plumage birds and unexpected hybrids, and unveil expansion plans for 2026. This episode offers an inside look at one of the fastest‑growing wildlife genetics projects in North America—powered by turkey hunters.
In this episode:
Why some "odd plumage" birds turned out to be 100% wild.
Heritage breeds, hybrids, and true genetic mutations: what showed up and why it matters.
Why turkey genetics were more complicated than expected.
How expanded sampling will shed light on subspecies ranges across the country.
Concern about inbreeding depression and the quest for answers.
How hunter participation has become the engine behind modern wildlife genetics.
Big plans for 2026, including expansion into Canada and incorporation of Osceola samples.

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 Goose Camp finale brings two powerhouse DU partners to the couch.
Will Taylor (Streamlight) shares new‑product highlights, SHOT Show takeaways, and why quality lighting matters when waterfowlers spend half their day in the dark. Drew McIntosh (Migra Ammunition) dives into stacked‑load design, extreme cold‑weather primer testing, and custom DU event concepts—plus a few camp laughs about waders, headlamps, and sugar‑powered shooters.
You’ll hear:
Streamlight’s SHOT Show releases, dual‑fuel options, and DU co‑branded headlamps
Why candela and throw matter for waterfowl setups before dawn and after last light
Migra’s stacked‑load philosophy, new hybrid turkey load, and negative‑temperature primer testing
DU event‑exclusive ammo concepts and how customization supports fundraising
Classic Goose Camp moments: sleep‑in mornings, Little Caesars in the blind, and “wait—what’s that smell?” headlamp stories

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.