Ducks Unlimited Podcast

Host Katie Burke visits Virginia carver Mark McNair, a lifelong artist shaped by Connecticut folk art, Easton’s decoy scene, and decades of hands‑on craft.In this conversation recorded at McNair’s marsh‑side home, he traces his path from Guilford, Connecticut to the Eastern Shore of Virginia, sharing mentors, influences, and the community that keeps carving vibrant. You’ll hear how form leads paint, why some heads go to the scrap pile, and how a celebrated swan decoy gathered its story over time. McNair also explains his “alchemist workshop” demos, opening the process to families and new carvers.The moment he asked “Who’s in charge here?” and took control of the carve.Why form should guide paint—and when paint distracts from the sculpture.How mentors (from Madeleine Shar to peers like Cameron McIntyre and Grayson Chesser) shape better work through real critique.Building decoys with raised wings and two‑part construction; borrowing ideas from Cobb, Shang Wheeler, Blair, and John English to solve design problems. The liberating lesson of throwing a failed piece in the wood stove and moving on.Community moments: Easton Waterfowl Festival, Barrier Island Center’s Meet the Carvers, and teaching with his son Ian.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: [email protected]:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether 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.

Success doesn’t mean losing who you were or what you love.Country music artist Priscilla Block joins Ascend to talk about confidence, creativity, staying grounded, and how the outdoors plays a role in her life beyond the stage.This episode is about representation, inspiration, and showing younger women what’s possible.Topics include:Staying authentic as success growsBeing visible for the next generationBalancing creativity and real lifeFinding grounding outdoorsFollow Priscilla Block @PriscillaBlock on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X.Subscribe and join this exciting journey to explore, learn, and grow together in the outdoor world.Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: [email protected]:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether 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.

Host Chris Jennings is joined by John Pollmann, Ducks Unlimited magazine contributor, to take a deep dive into lifetime skills for waterfowl hunters. Pollmann wrote a piece that relates to this topic for ducks.org, but the pair go even further into the discussion about becoming an all-around duck and goose hunter. Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: [email protected]:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether 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.

In this episode, Dr. Jared Henson and Jimbo Robinson welcome OnX Hunt marketing manager and Backwoods University host Lake Pickle. The crew dives into everything from habitat changes in the Mississippi Delta and evolving agricultural pressures to the latest OnX features like LiDAR and collaborative folders. Lake shares his journey from Mississippi kid to Primos videographer to OnX manager, and even unpacks the surprising roots of Santa’s flying reindeer. This one blends conservation insight, hunt strategy, mapping tech, family traditions, and plenty of laughs.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: [email protected]:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether 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.

Matt Harrison and Dr. Mike Brasher welcome outdoor writer and DU ASCEND Host Bethany Beathard to discuss her MeatEater article on North America’s four waterfowl flyways. Bethany shares her background, research process, interviews with banders and guides, and insights into how hunting tactics differ across regions. Dr. Brasher expands on migration science, flyway councils, Adaptive Harvest Management, and why reliable data is critical for the future of waterfowl conservation.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: [email protected]:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether 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.