Duck Season Somewhere

Now in his 13th season guiding ducks and geese in Kansas, Big Kansas Outdoors' Ben Webster takes a few minutes out of a hectic mid-season hunting schedule to meet with Ramsey. The 2 cover a range of topics to include duck and goose hunting in Kansas and in Canada, where Webster's Prairie Limits Outfitters is going into his 6th season, Canada's pandemic policies, dealing with problem clients and sp...

Guiding in the mallard-rich southeast Kansas duck bottomlands comes naturally to Drake Carter. He was born into it, accompanying his dad, Roy, and member-guests to the duck blind for as far back as he can recall. And it was there in the duck blind that he developed skillsets that serve him well at Carter's Big Island, where he guides duck hunters daily. Between duck hunts, Drake describes some of...

Following an incredible morning duck hunt along a fabled river name he'd never before heard uttered, Ramsey meets with Roy Carter to learn more about this extremely unique and mallard-rich Kansas corner that's as wooded as Missouri's Bootheel region. Carter plows full steam ahead, describing why this area overwinters so many darned mallards, how his family's long history on the island began, why "...

Ramsey Russell shares a great duck hunt on Colorado's South Platte River with Colin Mulligan and family. Their paths crossed while hunting in North Dakota. Mulligan tells Ramsey about growing up duck hunting in Colorado, his capstone project that has become bigger than he'd ever imagined, and where he sees himself and duck hunting going. Great glimpse into the future.   Podcast Sponsors : BOSS Sho...

Colorado's Front Range has a surprisingly good goose hunting and an interesting history. In the small town of Severance, Colorado, the billboard located in town center pretty much spells it out. In today's episode, Ramsey Russell swings through for a morning goose hunt and lunch, sharing a conversation with locals about why "geese fly and bulls cry" here. Bon appetit.     Podcast Sponsors : BOSS S...

From a small generator-powered cabin nestled beneath whispering cottonwoods on the South Platte River bank, Ramsey Russell meets with Flashback decoy inventor Tyler Baskfield between hunts. In a world slap full of gimmicky duck hunting stuff that usually doesn't doesn't perform as intended or last as long as we'd hoped, Baskfield's new American-made flashback decoy is a genuine ace up the sleeve i...

The North Platte River winds it's way snake-like through the tumbleweed-infused Wild West on its eventual passage to the Gulf of Mexico, making this part of Wyoming a waterfowl-rich area that attracts many mallards and Canada geese.   But it's not the only reason this region has exceptional waterfowl hunting. Wyobraska Waterfowl's personable JJ Randolph has been hunting and guiding along the North...

Cody, Wyoming, was established in 1895 and epitomizes Wild West Wyoming. It bears Buffalo Bill Cody's name, but what was his true involvement in the town's origins? What was the area like when Cody  was established, what was the significance of its location, what were some of the local industries, who were some colorfully notable characters?  And how'd the Shoshone River derive its name? Taking a...

As the North American Waterfowl Tour takes him further into Wyoming, Ramsey Russell falls in with Todd Helms, Managing Editor of Eastmans' Hunting Journal and host of Eastmans' Wingmen USA podcast. Between a couple epic mornings mallard hunting private stretches of the nearby Shoshone River, Helms tells Ramsey about his waterfowl hunting origins at family "Goose Camp" in Michigan, what life events...

After a couple days chasing ducks together, Ramsey Russell discusses Wyoming duck hunting with Levi Cary.  Born-and-raised Wyoming, Levi grew up hunting big game with family and only recently began seriously waterfowl hunting. Levi tells about growing up in Wyoming, why duck hunting appeals to him, how he began the Pull 'N Feathers podcast, and nuances of duck hunting in this part of the US.   Pod...

On the banks of an unnamed Montana river absolutely loaded with ducks and geese, Ramsey Russell meets with true friend "Redbeard" Ryan Yarnell after a couple challenging duck hunting days. A couple years in the making, the 2 hunting buddies got way more than they'd bargained, stories to last a lifetime and incentive for another hunt together. Life sometimes happens, but it's all about playing the...

Taking a break from this year's North America Waterfowl Tour, Ramsey Russell joins son, Forrest Russell and long-time friend Mr. Ian Munn, at camp for the Mississippi duck season opener. They talk about weekend highlights, habitat, life happenings and reminisce about their tradition of sharing the Mississippi Opener for decades.   Podcast Sponsors : BOSS Shotshells Benelli Shotguns Kanati Waterfow...

The front porch thermometer read 6 degrees one morning while Ramsey tried filling his swan tag in Eastern Montana. But hunting couple Chad and Tonya Sylvestre from New England had plenty other hunting opportunities to share in an open landscape stretching to all horizons.    Podcast Sponsors : BOSS Shotshells Benelli Shotguns Kanati Waterfowl Taxidermy Mojo Outdoors Tom Beckbe Flash Back Decoys Ge...

Dr. Frank Rohwer grew up duck hunting the Chesapeake Bay, pursued a career in waterfowl-related applied sciences, and is currently President and Chief Scientist for Delta Waterfowl. After spending time together in a North Dakota duck blind, Rohwer and Ramsey Russell discuss Delta Waterfowl's origins and pertinent North American waterfowl management issues, to include a new proposed management scen...

For 33 years, self-proclaimed snow goose capital of the world Kenmare, North Dakota (population 900) has held a week-long, community-wide celebration of local goose hunting traditions. It's called GooseFest.  Ramsey Russell spent the week hunting with locals and enjoying festivities, meeting with organizers Arlen Gartner and Rick Harris to discuss how this event originated and why it remains impor...

Autumn is usually incredible for field hunting ducks and geese in North Dakota, but this hard-boiled collection of dedicated diver duck hunters march to a different drum beat, choosing to chase canvasbacks, bluebills, redheads and more over a massive spread of traditional, hand-carved wooden blocks. Following a brisk morning in the blind, Ramsey Russell joins die-hard diver enthusiasts Jeff Pelayo...

The sun is setting on the rooftops of fabled Delta Waterfowl Research Station across the road, and gregarious Canada goose flocks are trading along the sprawling shores of Lake Manitoba when Ramsey Russell meets with Jim Leafloor, Head of Aquatic Unit for the Canadian Wildlife Service. Responsible for all migratory gamebird management activities throughout Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan, Leafl...

Monday, November 11, 1940 was a federal holiday. The weather was mild but a cold front was rumored to be blowing in. Everyone went duck hunting. And many never returned.  Jon Steffes of La Crescent, Minnesota, wrote the book Wings in the Wind: The Armistice Day Storm of 1940 (link below) based on his father's first-hand accounts as a 16 year-old duck hunter that was there and with old-timers that...

There's no telling what surprising topic the next duck blind conversation will entail. Today's episode is proof. Before becoming a full-time Canadian hunting and fishing guide, Jason Hamilton was a marine mammal biologist in remote reaches of the Canadian Arctic. What was it like growing up in Canada, how'd he get started hunting, and what inspired him to such a career path? What's it like working...

It began on the Garwood Prairie. The famous Blue Goose Hunting Club was brainchild of colorfully legendary waterfowl hunting guide Marvin Tyler and spawned Texas's once world-famous snow goose hunting industry. Mike Lanier was only 13 years-old when his dad dropped him off at the Blue Goose Hunting Club to work. In this special episode of Duck Season Somewhere, he describes hunting snow geese back...

Paul Conchâtre owns and operates Birdtail Waterfowl in Manitoba Canada, served as President of Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association for 10 years, and remains extremely active in Manitoba tourism. When he says, "I'm all in," what's he mean? How'd he get started, what were his influences? How does he distinguish his program as very best? What advice does he offer to hunters shopping for hunts,...

Alberta, Canada born-and-raised, Kerra Nisbet is a young, professional wildlife biologist that's been tagging snakes near major hibernaculars. Having developed a profound passion for ducks pursuant to volunteer banding activities, she explains how her recent duck hunting introductions brought her full circle as a biologist and, importantly, as a human being.  How and why did she pursue a career in...

Known to their buddies as "the mixed bag kings," Jake Dahl and Spencer Podgurski have forsaken traditional big game hunting pursuits most popular among Canadian hunters for feathered fowl. They're a couple of young, savvy heavy-hitters that put in the miles and time scouting, playing for keeps while hunting. Snow geese are their passion. What was it like growing up in Canada, how many of their cla...

Following several days fun waterfowl hunting together in Saskatchewan, Canada, Ramsey Russell meets with Joey D'Amico of Tekton Game Calls, who recently quit the 9-to-5 grind to chase his dreams. Where'd D'Amico grow up, how's hunting Canadian Prairies contrast with hunting South Carolina's Sparkleberry Swamp? What lead him to pursue his dreams full-time? Where's the name Tekton originate and what...

Your help is urgently needed. The "dusky duck" in Texas as experienced precipitous population declines in the mottled duck's traditional range, and management alternatives are being considered. Here's a chance for you the listener to possibly participate meaningfully in real-world waterfowl management and help avert catastrophe.  Waterfowl Geneticist, Dr. Phillip Lavretsky, joins Ramsey Russell to...