Duck Season Somewhere

Ramsey continues exploring Guatemala duck hunting culture by visiting with host Andres Collia, discussing how suddenly the trip came together and Guatemala's famous "eternal spring" like weather. What were Collia's waterfowl hunting origins in a country with so few hunters? What species are hunted and what are bag limits like in Guatemala? Where do they get most of their hunting gear, guns and amm...

Michael L. Schummer has been an avid duck hunter since way back when. What began humbly enough as a scientific way for putting more ducks over his decoys spawned into a career, eventually leading to his becoming a Senior Research Associate at SUNY ESF, where he conducts myriad waterfowl-related research. Having developed an algorithm that accurately predicts waterfowl migrational timing, he shares...

During an inaugural exploratory visit to Guatemala this month, Ramsey immersed himself fully into the local duck hunting culture thanks to the help of amazingly hospitable hosts he now regards as family. Though considered a world-class bill fishing destination, this small Central American country was full of many interesting  surprises, great food, and blue-winged teal. Today's conversation with f...

Ducks all colors and sizes, white-winged doves, black brant, unique quail species and chunky large-mouth bass seasonally draw hunters and anglers from throughout the United States to this part of Mexico, but for different reasons. Duck hunting is highly subjective. Hunter expectations vary.  Following eventful week-long hunts, Ramsey meets with freshly tanned Obregon guests to hear what they will...

Situated in the Sonora Desert along the Sea of Cortez, the Yaqui Valley is one of Mexico's most productive breadbaskets, a fertile oasis of irrigation-based wheat production. Frank Ruiz grew up here and has delivered guided hunts since forever. He and Ramsey have now been working exclusively together for a decade. What was it like growing up in this part of Mexico, what are his hunting origins, an...

Really! What the heck is a "honeymoon duck hunt"?!  As another fun-filled week winds to an end in sunny Mazatlan, Mexico, Ramsey meets poolside with duck hunters and non-hunting spouses to learn the answer to that burning question while enjoying frosty margaritas. How was the duck hunting? What duck species? How'd the hunting compare to duck hunting back home? Do non-hunters really enjoy it? Where...

It's another beautiful sunshine-filled February day in Mazatlan, Mexico and the resort is buzzing with happy tourists. Following the usual fast-paced morning duck hunt, Ramsey meets with long-time associate Ivan Paplovich, discussing all aspects of Mazatlan, Mexico duck hunting. What was it like growing up in Mexico and how'd Ivan get into the hunting industry decades ago? Why is Mazatlan a popula...

Ramsey catches up with Boss Shotshells' Brandon Cerecke, discussing the past season, Cerecke's old school duck camp and habitat. They then get down to copper-plated business. What makes BOSS's cast of characters unique? How does good old fashioned work bring about life purpose? Are materials and components going to be easier to get this year? Is the global supply chain mended? What's BOSS's top-se...

Stale ducks. No ducks. Whether real or perceived, it sometimes comes with the territory. But is it getting better or worse? Is it really a function of flooded corn fields further up the flyway, or might there be other factors influencing migratory duck behaviors? Might modern duck hunter behavior be conditioning ducks to learn new scripts? Dr. Cohen is an Assistant Professor of Wildlife Ecology an...

Born and raised duck hunting in Connecticut, Bill Embacher began carving traditional gunning decoys as a youngster. While he makes his living doing so today, it's come to mean more than that. Ramsey and he got to know each other through a black duck travel decoy. How'd he get started carving decoys? Who influenced his carving style? What's it like duck hunting in Connecticut, what's his typical gu...

Though he and Ramsey connected over their shared waterfowl hunting interest, Trevor Santos is Director of Government Relations and State Affairs for the National Shooting Sports Foundation.  In the same way that neither great duck hunts nor quality habitat happen by accident, there's a lot of behind-the-scenes efforts in ensuring that the firearms and hunting industries remain healthy in today's p...

A gifted communicator, J. Alain Smith is a hunter, writer, musician and adventurer who has explored the world's farthest reaches. He's collected 350 different game species to include World Slams of Sheep and Goats, the North American Grand Slam of Sheep and the African Big 5. He's authored 6 books, produces the hit outdoor TV show Rugged Expeditions, is a Conklin Award winner, Weatherby Conservati...

Following 2 years of crazy pandemic-related border closures, Ramsey and long-time friend and indispensable GetDucks team-member Martha Ciaffoni are reunited at conventions. They recall memorable times working together and with clients in Argentina during the past decade-plus, discuss what Argentina hunting at Rio Salado and La Paz might be like after nearly 3 years of ducks not hearing shotguns, m...

Described as the greatest outdoor TV producer is history, Chris Dorsey is a former wildlife biologist, author of many outdoor books, past Editor-in-Chief for Ducks Unlimited and Sports Afield magazines with works appearing not only in most outdoor magazines but in Newsweek, National Geographic, The Wall Street Journal and Forbes. Having produced more than 2,000 episodes across 55 series, he's hunt...

Huh?! Can you hear me now?! Ramsey meets with audiologist Bill Dickinson, TETRA Hearing co-founder. This episode is purely tell-not-sell and highly informational. While comfortably delivering premium technology, TETRA gives hunters natural hearing experiences while still protecting their hearing.  An articulate communicator, Dickinson explains how hearing works, how loud noise impairs hearing and...

Spend a few day chasing ducks by day and huddling in hole-in-the-wall Mexican food restaurants at night teaches you a lot about the folks with whom you're sharing the best of times. Today's guest is no exception. Carlos Gomez recently retired as a game warden Oklahoma Department Wildlife Conservation.  How'd Gomez growing up hunting in Oklahoma? How'd he get started into this particular line of wo...

James Morel is a born-and-raised in Oklahoma, do-it-yourself waterfowler who especially loves sandhill crane hunting. He's also Wetlands and Migratory Bird Coordinator for Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, overseeing waterfowl habitat management, mid-winter waterfowl counts and various other waterfowl management responsibilities throughout Oklahoma. What's the big deal about sandhill c...

Real life isn't all rainbows and wildflowers. Sloane Brown is the Hunting Marketing Manager for one of the hottest name brands in the entire outdoor world, but that's what this episode is about. At all. Sloane's circuitous journey to the top began at the very bottom. Hunting fueled an addiction that ultimately became personal salvation, compelling him to new highs.  Proving it ain't where you star...

"The better you get, the better you get," says today's guest, Dirk Sorrels while describing the meandering path that lead to his becoming an integral part of Team Boss Shotshells and then an ardent duck hunter. How'd he end up becoming a tattoo artist, how'd he connect with clients, and what does he most remember about one of his most famous clients? How is duck hunting like surfing? Another must-...

From his home base in California, where he formerly worked in Refuges, full-time professional outdoor photographer Gary Kramer set out to film the world's entire collection of ducks, geese and swans for his recent book achievement. How many waterfowl species exist worldwide, and how many of them did he film for his monumental coffee table book Waterfowl of the World? How many countries did he visi...

Ramsey visits an exclusive swamp property that is a Mississippi Delta landmark and among a precious handful of crown-jewel properties strung together in Tallahatchie County, only recently trading hands for the first time in a half-century. It was at this particular camp house that a popular bourbon-based, ceremonial duck hunting concoction was formulated. Meeting with host Craig Rozier and long-ti...

Located in Hyde County, Lake Mattamuskeet is North Carolina's largest natural lake. The surrounding area is rich in hunting traditions. Meeting a collection of friends at their "Fetch More" hunting camp, Ramsey learns about hunting ducks, swans, and bears in the area. And more.    Podcast Sponsors : BOSS Shotshells Benelli Shotguns Kanati Waterfowl Taxidermy Mojo Outdoors Tom Beckbe Flash Back Dec...

Following a successful North Carolina tundra swan hunt during this year's epic North American Waterfowl Tour, Ramsey visits with host, Tyler Odell and other members of his swan hunting party. Food, camaraderie and fun times shared in the blind while chasing North America's largest waterfowl.   Please s ubscribe, rate and review Duck Season Somewhere podcast. Share your favorite episodes with frien...

Ramsey connects with friend-client Jon Esposito for a few days duck hunting in the "Constitutional State" of Connecticut, learning that in some ways it's anything but. What's easier to get in Pakistan than in Connecticut? How and what do they duck hunt in second-smallest US state? Connecticut duck hunters are a whole 'nuther level of seriously committed as this conversation explains.   Please s ub...

Isn't it interesting that the oldest waterfowl hunting decoys know to exist on earth were found the the driest state in America? After 3 days hunting swans and ducks in Nevada, Ramsey meets with Nevada Department of Wildlife's Waterfowl Staff Specialist, Russell Woolstenhulme, to discuss waterfowl hunting and management there. What's up with swan hunting in Nevada, and how are swan managed differe...