The North American Waterfowler

In this heartfelt solo episode of The North American Waterfowler Podcast, Elliott Snider responds to a powerful listener letter that opens the door to deep conversations on solo hunting, spiritual growth, and finding purpose in the marsh. He unpacks how full immersion hunting has restored him through seasons of personal struggle, and gives detailed advice to new hunters trying to succeed on their...

In this episode of The North American Waterfowler, I’m joined by longtime listener and passionate hunter Ben Kraja, a U.S. Forest Service liaison and board member for the Utah chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. Ben brings deep insight into hunting the Great Salt Lake—one of the Pacific Flyway’s most important waterfowl ecosystems. We talk about: The variety and pressure of Utah’s public wat...

In this episode, Elliott sits down with Alex Wilson from Washington—his top bucket list state—to talk about life in the Pacific Northwest, chasing ducks and geese across flooded fields, and what it’s like hunting with his black lab, Buster. They break down the differences between east and west Washington, debate whether black or yellow labs hide better, and swap stories about late-season greenhead...

In this powerful episode, Elliott sits down with Jason Williams, author of Committed to the Call, a 365-day devotional written specifically for waterfowl hunters. Jason shares how God radically transformed his life—taking him from hard-hearted corrections officer to minister of the gospel—and how the stillness of the marsh became the backdrop for his most meaningful encounters with Christ. If you'...

In this mid-April episode of The North American Waterfowler Podcast, Elliott introduces a major new feature in the NAW app: the hunt satisfaction score. He shares how it works, how he scored his last two seasons, and what it reveals about enjoying hunts beyond just bird numbers. Then he dives into listener questions, covering drone use, hunting pressure, choosing coves on windy days, public access...

In this episode of The North American Waterfowler, Elliott sits down with David Plyler, a passionate duck hunter from North Carolina who’s combining his love of waterfowl with off-season conservation work. David shares how building and maintaining wood duck boxes has helped increase local populations on his lease and public land. The two dive deep into their shared experiences with HRC and AKC hun...

In this Patreon live stream episode, Elliott sits down with Ben Meyers—owner of Flight Day Ammunition—for one of the most raw, transparent conversations they’ve ever had on the podcast. The guys kick it off with personal updates, teaching talk, and bourbon mishaps before diving deep into hunting dogs, last season’s hits and misses, and the exciting future of Flight Day Ammo. Ben reveals the shocki...

In this episode, Elliott sits down with Art Diaz—waterfowl photographer, former touring musician, and current rep for Alclair Outdoors. They talk about Art’s journey from playing guitar on the road to chasing ducks with a camera in hand. Art shares how he got into waterfowl photography, his experience with dog training, and the tough decision to part ways with his first lab. They also dive into he...

In this explosive episode, Elliott sits down with Rusty Fix to tackle two of the most controversial topics in modern waterfowling: the looming restrictions on non-resident hunters in Kansas and the impact of flooded corn on duck migration. Is Kansas really about to ban non-residents from hunting public land except Sunday through Tuesday? And is Missouri's flooded corn to blame for birds bypassing...

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In this episode of The North American Waterfowler Podcast, I’m joined by Tyler Grethen, Marketing Manager at Weatherby. We dive into his journey from growing up in Missouri to becoming an avid hunter in the West. Tyler shares his experiences chasing big game, upland birds, and waterfowl, along with his love for tough, physically demanding hunts. We also discuss solo hunting, the challenges of bala...

In this episode of The North American Waterfowler Podcast, Elliott is joined by patron and friend Bret Travis to dive deep into the changing migration patterns and the impact of flooded corn on duck movement. They discuss whether ducks are being artificially held north and what that means for Southern waterfowlers. This episode is brought to you by our great partners: 🔹 Flight Day Ammunition – Ge...

In this episode of The North American Waterfowler Podcast, I dive into a full-on debate with ChatGPT, challenging AI on key waterfowl hunting topics. We cover the ethics of promoting hunting on social media, out-of-state hunting pressure, the never-ending steel vs. bismuth debate, and whether so-called "trash ducks" deserve their reputation. I also share insights on overcoming shooting slumps and...

In this episode of The North American Waterfowler Podcast, Patreon guest Todd Day joins Elliott to talk all things waterfowl, from retriever training to hunting the Bootheel of Missouri. Todd shares his journey from growing up in Georgia to leasing prime hunting land, the evolution of his dog training knowledge, and the impact of his uncle’s championship retriever. Elliott and Todd also discuss th...

Snow goose hunting is one of the most challenging pursuits in waterfowling, but for those who love the chase, the reward is worth it. In this episode, I sit down with Matt Zavala Nick from High Prairie Sportsman to break down the strategies, struggles, and success rates of hunting snow geese. We talk about decoy spreads, the unpredictability of fields, and whether the grind is really worth it. Plu...

In this special episode of The North American Waterfowler Podcast, I’m joined by my good friend and fellow podcaster, YouTuber, and entrepreneur, Jordan Fromer. We dive into his wild journey of restoring and hunting from the Timber Queen—a Mississippi River houseboat he brought back to life for an unforgettable waterfowl season. Jordan also shares insights from his first full-time year as a conten...

Understanding water levels is one of the most critical factors in duck hunting success. In this episode, I break down 5 key tips to help you adapt to rising and falling water conditions, predict duck movement, and make the most of your hunting spots. I’ll also share the best flooded timber hunt of my life and how a December flood created the perfect smartweed hotspot. Plus, Woody joins for his Top...

Join Elliott as he sits down with Thomas Hoke of Hoke Outdoors to discuss his season chasing waterfowl across the country. From Alaska’s wild tidal flats to the frozen lakes of South Dakota and the stunning marshes of Idaho, Thomas shares his adventures, scouting strategies, and the highs and lows of traveling solo in pursuit of ducks. They also dive deep into retriever training, the challenges of...

Join me as I sit down with Nate Verdin to break down the past waterfowl season, share hunting stories, and discuss off-season strategies. We dive into everything from memorable hunts to training dogs and preparing for next season. Whether you're still chasing birds or already looking ahead, this episode is packed with insight and great conversation. Don't miss it! Learn more about your ad choices....

In this episode of the North American Waterfowler Podcast, I reflect on the highs and lows of this past waterfowl season, including some unforgettable hunts, scouting challenges, and unexpected surprises. I share my experience hunting through tough conditions, the joy of hunting alongside my stepson Elijah for his first full season, and lessons learned along the way. From ice hole hunts to quick l...

Join Elliott as he sits down with Stormy Crook to unpack an unforgettable—and unsettling—night on public land. What started as a routine hunt turned into a chaotic confrontation involving alcohol, marijuana, and some dangerous behavior. Stormy shares how he navigated the situation, highlights the importance of ethics and mentorship in waterfowling, and dives into his hunting season stories, migrat...

Elliott sits down with Jake from Chasing Green to dive into the intricacies of duck hunting strategies and migration patterns. They discuss the challenges of hunting during unpredictable weather, differences between fixed and nomadic hunting styles, and how scouting plays a crucial role in finding success. Jake shares his unique flow chart for tackling new hunting areas, insights from his trips to...

In this episode of the North American Waterfowler Podcast, Elliott recounts his first-ever hunt on the legendary Platte River. Join him as he shares stories of hunting with Chris Jobman at Duck Haven Duck Club, the unique challenges of group hunts, and his experience with a hot seat 410 shotgun. Elliott also dives into his love for public land hunting, reflections on hunting styles, and what makes...

In this episode of the North American Waterfowler Podcast, Elliott shares his holiday experiences and reflections, discusses the impact of weather on hunting success, and recounts his recent hunting adventures. He emphasizes the importance of proper decoy setups and strategies for different types of hunting, particularly diver hunting. Elliott also expresses his love for birds and the joy of close...

In this episode of The North American Waterfowler, we’re recapping Day One of the Patreon Hunt Giveaway with the contest winner, Thomas, his hunting partner, Heath, and Ben Meyers of Flight Day Ammo. We dive into the highs and lows of the day, including the challenges of working weary mallards, a unique shot that became the talk of the hunt, and the unforgettable moments of hearing mallards echo t...