Duck Season Somewhere

In 1899, the Tarpon Club in gulf-coastal Texas was the most expensive, expansive and exclusive club in the world, its membership dubbed the "First Four Hundred Sportsman of America," whose combined wealth reached into the hundred-millions. Or so said E.H.R. "Ned" Green, the one-legged, prostitute-loving son of the richest woman in the world. Texas historian Rob Sawyer describes the Tarpon Club and...

We only thought we'd seen and done a lot together until videographer, Jake Latendresse and I went duck hunting in Peru. From nearly 16,000 feet high into the Andes Mountains for a handful of mountain waterfowl species found nowhere else on earth to along the Pacific Ocean at sea-level duck for cinnamon teal and white-cheeked pintail, every day was an absolute stand-alone adventure. But the incredi...

On October 17, 2007, the hammer finally came down on young Sam Necaise, who believed himself bulletproof. It came in the form of "every green game warden truck in the state of Mississippi and guys wearing FBI jackets." Swinging that big hammer was Kennie Prince, lead undercover investigator of Operation Stoned Duck.  Necaise and Prince each recall that fateful day from their own perspectives. And...

It was right here--this exact location--in downtown Houston that I found smoke-infused religion. Purveyor of real Texas barbecue and former world-champ, Grant Pinkerton, and I visit at Pinkerton's Barbecue, running through the finer points of beef versus pork ribs, brisket, whole hog cooking, world championship cook-offs and starting them young. Just in time for the upcoming season, he details tri...

Since arriving to Texas from Europe 4 generations ago, Slade Schiurring's family has produced rice on Texas's fabled Garwood Prairie. Waterfowl, too! It was his grandfather who returned from the Second World War and began leveeing the 3S Ranch property specifically for waterfowl. Slade describes his family's long-standing commitments to both rice farming and to waterfowl conservation, telling how...

Sam Necaise grew up deer hunting in south Mississippi with his dad. In many ways, his younger days remind me of my own. Maybe similar to yours, too. But big bucks were pretty tough to come by  where he grew up--unless you knew a place where few people hunted. Because it was posted.  And maybe folks willing to break a few little laws are willing to break bigger and more. Maybe the lines even start...

"It effects lives. Like tumbling dominoes, it affects relationships," says Gene Campbell about the fateful event. Y'all know my friend, Gene Campbell of Oyster Bayou Hunting Club in southeastern Texas. From past episodes, y'all have come to know him as a since-forever duck hunter (personally and professionally), a staunch conservationist, avid birder, nature observer and self-taught waterfowl habi...

September road-tripping through Southeast Texas during teal season means bs'ing with my long-time friend and onliest non-bourbon-drinking buddy, call maker Joe Briscoe. Never knowing where it'll go but plowing full steam ahead anyways, we catch up following a couple eventful days shooting blue-winged teal together!   Podcast Sponsors :   Benelli Shotguns https://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/waterfo...

Kennie Prince lurked deep beneath the surface, operating deep undercover, penetrating nefarious poaching rings that illegally ransacked wildlife resources--migratory game birds, paddle fish, furbearers, deer, you name it--for profit, usually, or just plain fun. For 15 years he was just another outlaw, somehow maintaining his cover despite numerous headline busts. Prince talks about growing up and...

"It's a true moment of discovery in waterfowl science," says Michael Brasher, DU Senior Waterfowl Scientist. And the program relies on North American hunter-conservationist participation. Brasher and waterfowl geneticist Phil Lavretsky explain the purpose of the new duckDNA program, how to apply (see link below) , and how the data is collected simply. Via leg band recoveries, hunter harvest report...

A sign reads, "Rule Number 1: No tales told on this islands shall be repeated on the mainland!" The Mississippi Wildlife Heritage Museum in Leland, Mississippi, is a huge repository of stories from throughout the state. The Mississippi Outdoors Hall of Fame is located there. You don't have to be from Mississippi to recognize some of the legendary names represented. Billy Johnson explains why he th...

It doesn't happen by accident. A lot goes into making a successful, season-long blue-winged teal hunt like this reality. Today, Steve Biggers of Rocky Creek Retrievers Team Waterfowl explains the inner workings and introduces team members Marcus Lagrange, Tracey Andreas, Joey Hanks and Len Vaughn.  In describing the 16-day Texas blue-winged teal season from their varied perspectives, you'll unders...

"I want to interview you," it was stated while we were elbow deep into world-class Memphis BBQ. Continuing he said, "On your podcast, I mean. Because maybe some listeners don't know who you are, where you come from, what you really do." And so it came to pass that waterfowl historian Dr. Wayne Capooth put Ramsey Russell in the hot seat usually reserved for our esteemed guests.      Podcast Sponsor...

The Mississippi teal opener was lackluster except for the fact that I was joined by both sons, Forrest and Duncan, and our long-time Mr. Ian for the first time in several years. We've shared Mississippi blue-winged teal and duck openers for nearly 20 years, since before the boys could shoot. Together again at camp, we recall past times.    Podcast Sponsors :   Benelli Shotguns https://www.benelliu...

To alleviate burgeoning traffic, 10 possible traffic routes have been proposed for a new Tennessee River bridge in Decatur, a northern Alabama town.  SIX proposed routes cut through Swan Creek WMA, favored by duck hunters for generations, directly and negatively impacting duck hunting in one of the only public properties available regionally. Regional Director Franz Schnabl, along with Alabama Del...

Behind the levee is magical; a wonderland if hunting and fishing wild, mostly untamable places in the Deep South is your thing. Long-time friend and storyteller, Jim Crews, takes us behind the levee, sharing stories from a special place his family's now hunted for 4 generations.    Podcast Sponsors :   Benelli Shotguns https://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/waterfowl-shotguns BOSS Shotshells https://...

"Luring that fish from his world into mine was life changing," remembers American outdoors legend Bill Dance when describing earliest fishing memories. It changed his life and many others, like myself, that have followed him since the 1970s.  Bill Dance talks about his greatest influences, proudest accomplishments, getting started into professional fishing, life lessons, self-deprecating bloopers,...

Wingshooting South Africa is an amazingly immersive tour encompassing ducks, geese, and upland game birds spanning 3 provinces--from Jo'berg to the Indian Ocean--but what types of hunters does this half-way-across-the-world hunt attract? Are they trophy species collectors? Experience collectors? Are they since-forever seasoned hunters? Relatively new to the sport? Tune in as Ramsey wraps up an epi...

Atlantic Flyway mallard and Canada goose limits have doubled for the upcoming season! But why? US Fish and Wildlife Service's Atlantic Flyway Representative, Patrick Devers, explains this and much more. Sprawling civilization and a broad array of species complicates waterfowl management in the Atlantic Flyway. In discussing issues and strategies, we fall headlong into topics involving differing ad...

For Illinois River decoy carver, Pat Gregory, carving gunning waterfowl decoys is a family tradition that reflects where, what and how he, his ancestors and mentors have hunted waterfowl since way back when. He's big into traditions and waterfowling history like that. While sitting in ankle-deep wood chips at his makeshift shop at Delta Waterfowl Expo, Gregory explains how his decoys and carving m...

Listen up! Tetra Hearing revolutionized hearing technology by perfecting protection and enhancing targeted listening. American hunters responded and they've quickly risen all the way to the very top. Likewise, their staff's grown leaps and bounds, too. Because great companies are about their people--about staff that respond to your customer service needs and help you find the very best solutions--...

International duck hunts are great ways to extend hunting season, see more world, put your hands on new waterfowl species.  Whether collecting experiences, trophies, or both, most traveling hunters want to bring home beautiful specimens. While it's mostly "just paperwork and protocols," it's still kind of a big deal---necessarily way, way more involved than bringing home a sombrero or gift shop co...

The Shoshone River, the world-famous Big Horn River and the Clark's Fork of the Yellow Stone River make northeast Wyoming special. Especially when it comes to chasing fat greenheads and honkers--and what a view! Noah Miller talks about growing up, hunting experiences, what lead him into guiding waterfowl, and why duck hunting this out-of-the-way corner of Wyoming is unique.    Mountain View Mallar...

"He wasn't just telling history and collecting stuff. He was writing about a lot of people he grew up with, collecting many things he'd actually used or heard about during boyhood," says Joe Walsh of his father, Dr. Harry Walsh that authored the landmark book, Outlaw Gunner. Covering some market hunting tools-of-the-trade and old-ways practices while speculating when the last punt guns were likely...

When and why did the great State of Arkansas become synonymous with mallard ducks? Describing land features then and now, and legendary properties, hunting guides and call makers, Brent Birch of Little Rock, Arkansas, explains.        Related Links: The Grand Prairie https://arkansasgrandprairie.com/products/the-grand-prairie-hard-cover     Podcast Sponsors : BOSS Shotshells https://bossshotshells...