Ducks Unlimited Podcast

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  Dr. Chris Nicolai, waterfowl scientist for Delta Waterfowl, rejoins Dr. Mike Brasher for a “bird nerd” discussion about waterfowl banding. This episode covers everything from the basics of what it is and when it happens to more detailed coverage of reward bands, survival estimation, calcu...

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  An alternative recipe for your harvested ‘fowl, the DU Podcast and Dr. J.-M. DeVink bring you a French-inspired dish that pairs well with red wine and a blustery winter day – Acadian duck pie. Perfect for any species of waterfowl or wild game, including those considered less than stellar...

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  Jay Anglin, Great Lakes Migration Editor, joins host Chris Jennings to discuss the incoming cold front happening New Year’s Day. This influx of cold weather throughout much of the Central and Mississippi Flyway could have major impacts on waterfowl wintering in mid-latitude states. Anglin...

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  Dr. Chris Nicolai, waterfowl scientist for Delta Waterfowl, joins Dr. Mike Brasher for an extended, in-depth discussion about the science and application of marking individual birds. In the first of 3 episodes, we discuss the early days of marking, the type of data and information gathere...

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  Join Chris, Mike, & Katie as they take a walk down memory lane discussing Christmas presents from their youth, reflecting on Christmas traditions, and considering why Dec 25th might be the safest day for the ducks. You'll also hear songs recorded by local Ducks Unlimited staff and a C...

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  Past Editor-in-Chief of Hunting and Fishing Collectibles Magazine , Stan Van Etten, joins host, Katie Burke, to chat about the magazine’s 20-year run. The duo reminisces about some of the magazine’s great articles over years of its publication. Stan discusses what led him to start the pub...

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  Dr. Jean Michel DeVink, DU Canada’s National Manager of Conservation Planning, joins the DU Podcast to share bits of scientific expertise and culinary insights from his journey to becoming a better cook of wild game. We discuss an introductory fajita recipe, slow cooking goose legs, wild...

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  Fresh off a November elk harvest, Dr. Ray Alisauskas of Environment and Climate Change Canada joins the podcast to discuss early data on productivity of Mid-continent light geese in 2021. Evidence continues to indicate a “nose-diving” population trajectory for snow and Ross’s geese in the...

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  Dr. Heath Hagy rejoins the podcast to continue a discussion about how plants differ in their value to waterfowl. From smartweed and millet to oaks and corn, this episode covers a plethora of plants commonly mentioned in waterfowl management and discusses the good, bad, and ugly. Are all e...

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  Dr. Heath Hagy, waterfowl ecologist for the USFWS National Wildlife Refuge System, joins host Dr. Mike Brasher to discuss the diversity of wetland plants and how they differ in their value to waterfowl. Beginning with a reflection on the history of waterfowl food habits and its importance...

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  Most get their first introduction to the world’s leader in wetlands conservation by attending a local banquet or other style of event. David Schuessler, DU national director of event fundraising and R3 programs, joins Chris Jennings to talk about DU’s successful event system. Schuessler s...

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  Luke Naylor, AGFC waterfowl program coordinator, joins the DU Podcast to talk about hunting and habitat in Arkansas as the state prepares reopen the season after the first split. Naylor explains that water is a major problem throughout the Natural State and landscape-level water is what a...

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  For the fourth installment of the History series, Dan Thiel returns to discuss with host Katie Burke the impact of Thomas C. Main on the newly founded Ducks Unlimited. Main was DU’s first General Manager in Canada and had a significant impact on the early conservation work done in the org...

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  John Pollmann, freelance contributor for DU Magazine and ducks.org, joins host Chris Jennings to discuss running traffic for ducks and geese. This common reference is used by hunters who can’t quite be on the ‘X’, but can get in the flight line to try and divert birds into their decoys. T...

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  Kory Rogers, Chief Curator of the Shelburne Museum in Burlington, Vermont, joins Katie Burke to discuss the Joel Barber decoy collection. The two chat about Barber’s unique influence on the collecting community as the father of decoy collecting. They also briefly discuss the Shelburne’s n...

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  As DU seeks broader partnerships and support for wetlands conservation, so grows the need for new science to quantify the diverse benefits it provides. Dr. Steve Adair, DU chief scientist, and Dr. Ellen Herbert, DU ecosystem service scientist, join the podcast to share exciting news about...

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  Katie Burke welcomes returning guest Dan Thiel to discuss the founder of Ducks Unlimited, Joseph P. Knapp. In telling the history of Knapp, the two discuss the creation of More Game Birds for America and the evolution that inspired the same group to create Ducks Unlimited. The pair layout...

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  On this episode, we introduce one of DU’s newest waterfowl scientists, Catrina Terry, and learn of the adventurous and exciting path she took to become a duck expert! Catrina also share insights from her graduate research on duckling survival in the prairies, which revealed than even wetl...

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  This unique episode is all about food. Guest Jennifer Chandler, chef and author, joins Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher for a Thanksgiving discussion that is centered around the theme of “Best Thing I Ever Ate at Duck Camp.” The trio talk about their personal Thanksgiving plans, the wa...

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  David Schuessler, National Director of Event Fundraisng and R3, joins the DU Podcast to talk about Into the Vault 2, an online auction launched by DU on Nov. 22.  Into the Vault 2 features unique items from across the country including rare guns, prints, original paintings, trips, decoys,...

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  Will Kutscher, Filson content producer, joins host Chris Jennings for an exciting talk about producing the high-quality content at Filson.com. Kutscher has traveled the globe creating in-depth stories of the men and women who rely on Filson gear to live their lives or make a living. Kutsc...

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  Hosts Dr. Mike Brasher and Chris Jennings dive into another one of the more popular waterfowl species in North America. Brasher explains some of the unique characteristics of this species in regards to feeding habitat, breeding habitats, and life cycle needs. The two discuss the habitat p...

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  Matt Wilson, statewide waterfowl specialist for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, joins the show to provide a quick update on habitat conditions and hunter reports across the state of Washington. Pacific storms have improved habitats in eastern parts of the state, but have produ...

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  Chris Akin, owner and operator of Webb Footed Kennels, hops on the Podcast with Chris Jennings to chat about SportDog BRAND E-Collar introductions, mid-season training sessions, and even the best way to prepare a retriever for a light goose hunt. Akin, with more than 30 years of experienc...

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN  Austin Booth, director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, joins the DU Podcast to conclude our discussion about the difficult yet necessary changes to water management in Arkansas’s famed greentree reservoirs. From his perspective as a father, hunter, and agency director, Austin sh...